Prädikatswein

In German wine law, the term "Prädikat" refers to a classification system for wines that meet specific criteria related to sugar content in the grapes at the time of harvest. This classification is part of the "Prädikatswein" category, which is the highest quality category under German wine law, previously known as "Qualitätswein mit Prädikat" (QmP).

The Prädikat system is used to indicate levels of ripeness and sweetness of the grapes, and thus, indirectly, the style and sweetness of the wine itself. Each level in this system specifies minimum must weights (a measure of the sugar content of the grape juice, which translates into potential alcohol content).

Prädikatswein and Qualitätswein must both originate entirely from one of Germany's 13 designated wine-growing regions and must pass the official quality wine test. Qualitätswein can be chaptalized, which is the process of adding a legally regulated amount of sugar before fermentation to boost alcohol content. However, Prädikat wines are not permitted to undergo chaptalization, preserving their natural sugar levels from the grapes.

White wines of this highest quality level may only be released for sale starting September 1 of the year following the harvest, while red wines must wait an additional nine months, making them available from June 1 of the second year after the harvest. The year of harvest must always be indicated on the label.