Weingut Spindler Lindenhof
EUGEN SPINDLER
WEINGUT LINDENHOF
Weinstraße 55
D-67147 Forst
Phone +49 (0) 6326 338
Fax +49 (0) 6326 7556
info@spindler-lindenhof.de
Quality Categories
Must weight
The amount of sugar that has developed in the grapes' juice, or must, is an important indication of ripeness. This is referred to as «must weight» and it is measured on a hydrometer, a thermometer-like device which has a graduated scale that compares the specific gravity of the must to the specific gravity of water at 20o C/68o F. This measurement is expressed in degrees Oechsle in Germany (comparable measurements in other countries include Babo, Balling, Baumé and Brix). From this rating, the potential alcohol level of the finished wine can be determined - which in turn, is an important criterion for quality category classification, i.e. to qualify for a specific quality category, grapes have to reach a minimum starting must weight.
Quality wine from one of the 13 specified wine-growing regions, abbreviated QbA, must fulfill the following conditions:
• must reach a natural alcohol content corresponding to a must weight (Riesling) of 60° Oechsle
• The alcohol content of these wines may be strengthened prior to fermentation by chaptalization (max. 3%Vol.).
Quality wine with special attributes, abbreviated QmP, must have a must weight of
- Kabinett 73 °C Oechsle
- Spätlese 85 °C Oechsle
- Auslese 92 °C Oechsle
- Beerenauslese 120 °C Oechsle
- Trockenbeerenauslese 150 °C Oechsle
- Eiswein 120 °C Oechsle
