Understanding Quality
Labels often uses terms like 'grand cru' or 'reserve'. Some of these
have legal meanings. Understanding these terms can help you know what
quality wine to expect. Some terms are just simply the producer's
opinion. But remember, no matter how well you know the terms they still
cannot guarantee the quality.
- France - Burgundy: 'Grand Cru' is better than 'Premier Cru'
- France - Bordeaux: "First Growth" (Premier Cru or Premiere Grand
Cru Classe) is better than 'Second Growth' and so on down to "Fifth
Growth'.
- France - Alsace: 'Grand Cru' is a legal term and should mean
higher quality
- Spain: 'Reserva' indicates extra ageing - only a good thing if
the wine was good quality in the first place. 'Gran Reserva' means
even more ageing.
- Germany: 'Kabinett', 'Spatlese', 'Auslese', 'Beerenauslese', 'Trockenbeerenauslese'
and 'Eiswein' indicate rising degrees of quality.
- France -Alsace: 'Grand Cru' is a legal term and should mean
higher quality.
- Spain: 'Reserva' means extra ageing. 'Gran Reserva' means even
more ageing.
- Germany: 'Kabinett, 'Spatlese', 'Auslee', 'Beerenauslese', 'Trockenbeerenauslese'
and 'Eiswein' indicate rising degrees of quality and rising degrees
of sweetness too.
Chateaux
Most Bordeaux wines, red or white are called Chateau
something-or-other. Any Bordeaux wine estate can call itself Chateau.
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