WINE KNOWLEDGE
Vineyard wines: German wine law and the VDP classification explained
Einzellage, Großlage, VDP.GROSSE LAGE: similar terms represent different systems. Here is how to make sense of the label.
→Wine knowledge
Viticulture, winemaking, climate and sensory analysis – explained clearly.
BACKGROUND
What a wine tasting can measure – and what it cannot
A wine tasting can reveal differences, describe profiles and capture the preferences of a particular group. But product description, personal preference and general acceptance are different questions – and require different methods.
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WINE KNOWLEDGE
Early harvest 2026: How producers manage acidity
The harvest was exceptionally early. How measurements, intended style and wine law interact in decisions on acidity.
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WINE KNOWLEDGE
Can grape pomace add aroma to alcohol-free wine?
Researchers at Geisenheim are investigating fermented grape pomace as a potential aroma ingredient for dealcoholised wine. The results remain open.
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WINE KNOWLEDGE
Wine auctions: What commission agents do for bidders
Anyone not bidding in the room can appoint a commission agent. What they arrange – and the limits set by a maximum bid.
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WINE KNOWLEDGE
Swiss natural wine: what the charter requires
No additives, no filtration, organic grapes: the Swiss natural wine charter draws clear lines. How is compliance checked?
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WINE KNOWLEDGE
Food safety in the wine cellar: who checks what?
From tank to bottle: how hygiene, documentation and checks work together in a winery – and who is responsible for what.
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WINE KNOWLEDGE
After spraying: what to do with residues and wash water?
Leftover spray solution and wash water do not belong in drains or ditches. The crucial work of protecting water begins after the final spraying run.
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WINE KNOWLEDGE
Trees in the vineyard: competing for soil water
A Geisenheim study finds evidence of competition for water and root space. What the findings show – and where their limits lie.
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WINE KNOWLEDGE
Alcohol-free at winter stalls: names and ingredients
Glühwein, a spiced drink or juice: at a winter stall, the name does not always reveal what is in the cup.
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WINE KNOWLEDGE
Which vineyard technology really saves labour
Machines can take over individual tasks. Whether this genuinely eases the workload depends on the terrain, the task and the size of the operation.
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WINE KNOWLEDGE
How reliable is a tasting impression?
What we perceive in wine is not arbitrary – but nor is it an objective judgement. Sensory tests show how reliable our impressions are.
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WINE KNOWLEDGE
Vintage 2026: Understanding origin on the label
“Region” is not simply another word for a wine-growing region. What origin indications mean from the 2026 vintage – and where confusion can arise.
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