Level 3 · Wine & Spirits Exam Prep
Germany and Austria
German Riesling quality levels, Spätburgunder, and Austrian Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.
Topics covered
- German quality levels (Prädikat)
- VDP classifications
- Austrian DAC system
- Grüner Veltliner
Level 3 Study Guide
Germany — The Prädikat System
Quick Revision
- Germany: Riesling; Mosel/Rheingau/Pfalz
- Prädikat: Kabinett → Spätlese → Auslese → BA → TBA
- Trocken = dry German wine
- Austria: Grüner Veltliner (white pepper)
- Wachau: Steinfeder/Federspiel/Smaragd
- Eiswein: frozen grapes, very sweet
Key Facts for the Exam
- Germany: cool continental climate; Riesling is the premium grape; major regions: Mosel, Rheingau, Pfalz, Rheinhessen
- German Prädikat wine quality hierarchy: Kabinett → Spätlese → Auslese → Beerenauslese → Trockenbeerenauslese
- Trocken = dry; the majority of German Riesling exported is actually dry or off-dry Trocken style
- Austria: Grüner Veltliner is the flagship white — dry, peppery, high acid; Wachau and Kamptal are top regions
- Austria Riesling (Wachau): often drier and more powerful than German Riesling; Smaragd is the top tier
- Wachau classification: Steinfeder (lightest) → Federspiel (medium) → Smaragd (richest, longest ageing)
Level 3 Exam Tips
- 1.German Prädikat levels in order from least to most ripe is a guaranteed exam question.
- 2.Grüner Veltliner = Austria's flagship variety. White pepper is its signature aroma descriptor.
- 3.Wachau Smaragd = named after a green lizard. The highest ripeness category in Austria.
- 4.Eiswein: made from frozen grapes; requires naturally frozen conditions (not freezer); extreme sweetness.
Common Exam Mistakes
- ✗Assuming all German wine is sweet — Trocken (dry) styles are widely made and exported
- ✗Confusing Mosel (light, low alcohol, delicate Riesling) with Rheingau (fuller, more structured Riesling)
- ✗Thinking Grüner Veltliner is only light and simple — Smaragd Grüner from Wachau is a serious cellar wine
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Grüner Veltliner and why is it important?
- Grüner Veltliner is Austria's most important and widely planted white grape variety. Its most distinctive characteristic is a white pepper or spice note alongside citrus and green herb aromas. Dry, high-acid, and food-friendly, it ranges from light, fresh everyday wines to powerful, complex Smaragd-level wines from the Wachau that can age for decades. It is a wine that serious sommeliers highly regard.