Designation used in some European countries for an upmarket category, but which within the EU also counts towards the highest quality level, quality wine(PDO). These are Germany, Croatia, Austria, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic and Hungary. Some designations (such as Spätlese, Trockenbeerenauslese, Eiswein) also exist in other countries. In Germany, the designation QmP (Qualitätswein mit Prädikat) was valid until 2007; since then, Prädikatswein has also been used. These wines are subject to even higher requirements in terms of must weight and production, or certain techniques are prohibited. Depending on the type of Prädikat wine, there are different requirements regarding the condition of the grapes (fully ripe or partly sweet) and the harvest (for Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese, mechanical harvesting is prohibited). Enrichment for the purpose of increasing alcohol is prohibited in principle. Sweetening for the purpose of increasing the residual sugar is permitted in Germany by means of a sweet reserve; in Austria this is generally prohibited.
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Egon Mark
Diplom-Sommelier, Weinakademiker und Weinberater, Volders (Österreich)