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 "quality wine", although it is still 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 fulfil certain requirements. The main criterion is the minimum must weight as an indication of physiological ripeness; depending on the growing region, this is between 51 and 72 degrees Oechsle. In addition, country-specific guidelines regarding authorised grape varieties, cultivation, yield, harvesting and ageing must be adhered to.

For the production of quality wine in Europe, only certain grape varieties that belong to the European species Vitis vinifera or at least have this species as a crossing partner. Quality wine does not have to be a single variety, but can also consist of several authorised varieties blended into a cuvée.

The quality wine test decides whether a wine may bear the designation "quality wine". It consists of an analytical (chemical and wine law) and an organoleptic(sensory) test and, if positive, concludes with the award of the official test number, by which quality wines can be recognised.