Designation for grapes of those grape varieties that are used to make wine. It is derived from pressing. Within the EU, cultivation is bound to the quantities of vineyards for wine production specified in the vine cadastre. Only those grape varieties may be planted for wine production that have been classified as such by the wine-growing countries - in Austria, federal states (see Quality wine grape varieties). The varieties intended for consumption are called table grapes (also eating grapes), which are often also used for the production of sultanas and grape juice. Compared to these, wine grapes have smaller, thicker-skinned and seed-rich berries, as well as usually a higher content of acids, which must still be present in sufficient quantities when fully ripe (especially white wine grapes) and tannins (especially red wine grapes). Both groups of substances are important for the production of higher quality wines. See also a list of all grape variety-specific terms under grapevine.
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Thorsten Rahn
Restaurantleiter, Sommelier, Weindozent und Autor; Dresden