Categories
What does QbA mean?
The abbreviation QbA stands for "Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete". Until 2012, this designation was the second highest quality level in Germany (out of a total of four) and since the EU wine market reform has only been called "Qualitätswein", although it remains the second highest level in the German quality system.
The grapes for a wine with this designation may only come from one of the legally defined growing regions for quality wine and must meet certain specifications. The essential criterion is the minimum must weight as an indication of physiological ripeness; depending on the growing region, it is between 51 and 72 degrees Oechsle. In addition, country-specific guidelines must be observed with regard to the permitted grape varieties, cultivation, yield, harvesting and ageing.
For the production of quality wine in Europe, only certain grape varieties are permitted by law that belong to the European species or at least represent this species Vitis vinifera or at least have this species as a crossing partner. Quality wine does not have to be single-varietal, but can also consist of several authorised varieties blended into a cuvée.
Whether a wine may bear the designation "quality wine" is decided by the quality wine test. It consists of an analytical (chemical and wine-legal) and an organoleptic(sensory) test and concludes in a positive case with the awarding of the official test number, by which quality wines are recognisable