Term for the grape harvest. The start of the harvest, traditionally known as the " Weinlesebann", used to be determined annually by the official bodies and, according to old custom, publicly announced by the " Gebirgsaufschießen ". Today, this can be determined largely freely by each winegrower himself. The quality term Spätlese no longer has any temporal significance. In Austria, in the case of a Prädikat wine, a declaration of intent must be made to the municipal office on the day of harvest. An optimal state of ripeness of the grapes has an effect on the wine quality. The phase between harvesting and pressing or subsequent fermentation should be as short as possible to avoid undesired oxygen contact and loss of aroma.
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Dr. Christa Hanten
Fachjournalistin, Lektorin und Verkosterin, Wien