Kabinett
Encyclopedia
Kabinett or sometimes Kabinettwein (literal meaning: a wine set aside in a cabinet), is a German language
wine term for a wine which is made from fully ripened grapes of the main harvest
, typically picked in September, and are usually made in a light style. In the German wine classification
system, Kabinett is the lowest level of Prädikatswein, lower in ripeness than Spätlese
. A German Kabinett is semi-sweet
(lieblich) by default, but may be dry (trocken
) or off-dry (halbtrocken) if designated so.
In Austria
, Kabinett is subcategory of Qualitätswein rather than a Prädikatswein, and the term always designates a dry wine.
In the Czech Republic
, Kabinet is a category of Quality Wine with Predicate (Czech: Jakostní víno s přívlastkem). Wines of this style are usually light and dry.
. The term originated with the cistercian monks at Eberbach Abbey
in Rheingau
, where the first recorded use of the term Cabinet occurred in 1712. The abbey's best wines were set aside to be stored in a special cellar built in 1245, and it was later known as the Cabinet cellar, or Cabinet-Keller.
Before 1971, the term Cabinet or Kabinett often followed the name of the grape varietal, for example, a wine might be a "Trockenbeerenauslese Cabinet". The term is superfluous under current German wine law, although it can still be found on older bottles.
In 1971, the term Kabinett was officially noted in German wine law, and it was given its current definition which applies to wines which are light and non-chaptalized. Kabinett's current definition differs greatly from its etymological implications of it being a reserve wine
. Before 1971, the terms Naturwein (natural wine) or Natuerrein (naturally pure) were used in place of Kabinett. These terms designated non-chaptalized wine, where no other designations, such as Spätlese
or Auslese
, applied.
, for a wine to be labelled Kabinett are as follows:
, for a wine to be labelled Kabinett are as follows:
, for a wine to be labeled Kabinet are as follows:
Kabinett wines are often noted for having a pronounced light and elegant character when from the colder German wine regions, such as Mosel, and in wines made from the grape variety Riesling
(which dominates much of the coldest German regions).
Typically, a Riesling Kabinett from Mosel exhibits a high acidity, with floral aromas, and often hints of slate
and minerality. In cooler regions, semi-sweet Kabinett wines have an alcohol content of around 7-8% ABV and dry Kabinett wines are usually around 10-11% ABV. When made in other regions, or from other grape varieties, this can vary. For example, a dry Kabinett made in Baden
or the Palatinate
made from a Pinot
varietal may well have an alcohol content of 13% ABV.
Typical German Kabinett wines are usually best enjoyed when aged for between 1 and 5 years. However, some better examples can be cellared for over a decade.
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
wine term for a wine which is made from fully ripened grapes of the main harvest
Harvest
Harvest is the process of gathering mature crops from the fields. Reaping is the cutting of grain or pulse for harvest, typically using a scythe, sickle, or reaper...
, typically picked in September, and are usually made in a light style. In the German wine classification
German wine classification
German wine classification consists of several quality categories and is often the source of some confusion, especially among non-German speaking wine consumers. The official classification is set down in the wine law of 1971, although some changes and amendments have been made since then...
system, Kabinett is the lowest level of Prädikatswein, lower in ripeness than Spätlese
Spätlese
Spätlese is a German wine term for a wine from fully ripe grapes, the lightest of the late harvest wines. Spätlese is a riper category than Kabinett in the Prädikatswein category of the German wine classification and is the lowest level of Prädikatswein in Austria, where Kabinett is classified in...
. A German Kabinett is semi-sweet
Sweetness of wine
The subjective sweetness of a wine is determined by the interaction of several factors, including the amount of sugar in the wine to be sure, but also the relative levels of alcohol, acids, and tannins. Briefly: sugars and alcohol enhance a wine's sweetness; acids and bitter tannins counteract it...
(lieblich) by default, but may be dry (trocken
Trocken
Trocken is German for dry, and is used in the classification of German wine. On a wine label, it indicates a wine that is dry rather than off-dry , sweeter or sweet . Technically, trocken wines are not devoid of residual sugar, but have, at most, a few grams per liter, which can be perceptible but...
) or off-dry (halbtrocken) if designated so.
In Austria
Austrian wine
Austrian wines are mostly dry white wines with some luscious dessert wines made around the Neusiedler See. About 30% of the wines are red, made from Blaufränkisch , Pinot Noir and locally bred varieties such as Zweigelt...
, Kabinett is subcategory of Qualitätswein rather than a Prädikatswein, and the term always designates a dry wine.
In the Czech Republic
Czech wine
Wine in the Czech Republic is produced mainly in southern Moravia, although a few vineyards are located in Bohemia. However, Moravia accounts for around 96% of the country's vineyards, which is why Czech wine is more often referred to as Moravian wine ...
, Kabinet is a category of Quality Wine with Predicate (Czech: Jakostní víno s přívlastkem). Wines of this style are usually light and dry.
History
The term Kabinett, also known as Cabinet, originally implied a wine of superior quality, set aside for later sale. It is essentially the German version of the wine term ReserveReserve wine
Reserve wine is a term given to a specific wine to imply that is of a higher quality than usual, or a wine that has been aged before being sold, or both. Traditionally winemakers would "reserve" some of their best wine rather than sell it immediately, coining the term.In some countries the use of...
. The term originated with the cistercian monks at Eberbach Abbey
Eberbach Abbey
Eberbach Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery near Eltville am Rhein in the Rheingau, Germany. On account of its impressive Romanesque and early Gothic buildings it is considered one of the most significant architectural heritage sites in Hesse, Germany...
in Rheingau
Rheingau (wine region)
Rheingau is one of 13 German wine regions for quality wines . Named for the traditional region of Rheingau , the wine region is situated in the state of Hesse, where it makes up part of the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis administrative district...
, where the first recorded use of the term Cabinet occurred in 1712. The abbey's best wines were set aside to be stored in a special cellar built in 1245, and it was later known as the Cabinet cellar, or Cabinet-Keller.
Before 1971, the term Cabinet or Kabinett often followed the name of the grape varietal, for example, a wine might be a "Trockenbeerenauslese Cabinet". The term is superfluous under current German wine law, although it can still be found on older bottles.
In 1971, the term Kabinett was officially noted in German wine law, and it was given its current definition which applies to wines which are light and non-chaptalized. Kabinett's current definition differs greatly from its etymological implications of it being a reserve wine
Reserve wine
Reserve wine is a term given to a specific wine to imply that is of a higher quality than usual, or a wine that has been aged before being sold, or both. Traditionally winemakers would "reserve" some of their best wine rather than sell it immediately, coining the term.In some countries the use of...
. Before 1971, the terms Naturwein (natural wine) or Natuerrein (naturally pure) were used in place of Kabinett. These terms designated non-chaptalized wine, where no other designations, such as Spätlese
Spätlese
Spätlese is a German wine term for a wine from fully ripe grapes, the lightest of the late harvest wines. Spätlese is a riper category than Kabinett in the Prädikatswein category of the German wine classification and is the lowest level of Prädikatswein in Austria, where Kabinett is classified in...
or Auslese
Auslese
Auslese is a German language wine term for a late harvest wine and is a riper category than Spätlese in the Prädikatswein category of the Austrian and German wine classification. The grapes are picked from selected very ripe bunches in the autumn , and have to be hand picked...
, applied.
German Definition
The minimum requirements, under current wine lawWine law
Wine laws are legislation regulating various aspects of production and sales of wine. The purpose of wine laws includes combating wine fraud, by means of regulated protected designations of origin, labelling practices and classification of wine, as well as regulating allowed additives and...
, for a wine to be labelled Kabinett are as follows:
- The wine must have a must density of between 67 to 82 degrees Oechsle, depending on the region (wine growing zoneEuropean Union wine growing zonesThe European Union wine growing zones is a tool used in the common European Union wine regulations to regulate certain aspects of winemaking. The zones differ in terms of climate and examples of what is regulated by wine growing zone are required grape maturity at harvest and allowed levels of...
) and grape variety. - The wine must not undergo Chaptalisation.
Austrian Definition
The minimum requirements, under current wine lawWine law
Wine laws are legislation regulating various aspects of production and sales of wine. The purpose of wine laws includes combating wine fraud, by means of regulated protected designations of origin, labelling practices and classification of wine, as well as regulating allowed additives and...
, for a wine to be labelled Kabinett are as follows:
- The wine must have a minimum must density of 17 degrees KMW (equal to 85 °Oechsle).
- The alcohol content may not exceed 13% ABV.
- The residual sugar content may not exceed 9 grams per liter.
- The wine must not undergo Chaptalisation - a notable exception from the rules which apply to other Qualitätsweine.
Czech Definition
The minimum requirements, under current Czech wine lawWine law
Wine laws are legislation regulating various aspects of production and sales of wine. The purpose of wine laws includes combating wine fraud, by means of regulated protected designations of origin, labelling practices and classification of wine, as well as regulating allowed additives and...
, for a wine to be labeled Kabinet are as follows:
- The wine must be produced from grapes grown within a single defined wine sub-region.
- The wine must have a minimum must density of 19 °NM (equal to 84 °Oechsle).
- The wine must not undergo chaptalisation.
Style
Since Kabinett wines may not be chaptalized, in contrast with other Qualitätswein (QbA), they tend to possess the lowest alcohol content of all German wines, despite the fact the requirements are more stringent than other QbA.Kabinett wines are often noted for having a pronounced light and elegant character when from the colder German wine regions, such as Mosel, and in wines made from the grape variety Riesling
Riesling
Riesling is a white grape variety which originated in the Rhine region of Germany. Riesling is an aromatic grape variety displaying flowery, almost perfumed, aromas as well as high acidity. It is used to make dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling white wines. Riesling wines are usually varietally...
(which dominates much of the coldest German regions).
Typically, a Riesling Kabinett from Mosel exhibits a high acidity, with floral aromas, and often hints of slate
Slate
Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade regional metamorphism. The result is a foliated rock in which the foliation may not correspond to the original sedimentary layering...
and minerality. In cooler regions, semi-sweet Kabinett wines have an alcohol content of around 7-8% ABV and dry Kabinett wines are usually around 10-11% ABV. When made in other regions, or from other grape varieties, this can vary. For example, a dry Kabinett made in Baden
Baden (wine region)
Baden is a region for quality wine in Germany, and is located in the historical region of Baden in southwestern Germany, which today forms part of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg...
or the Palatinate
Palatinate (wine region)
Palatinate is a German wine-growing region in the area of Bad Dürkheim, Neustadt an der Weinstraße, and Landau in Rhineland-Palatinate. Before 1993, it was known as Rhine Palatinate . With under cultivation in 2008, the region is the second largest wine region in Germany after Rheinhessen...
made from a Pinot
Pinot
-Grape varieties:* One of several grape varieties and associated wines** Pinot blanc ** Pinot gris ** Pinot meunier** Pinot noir...
varietal may well have an alcohol content of 13% ABV.
Typical German Kabinett wines are usually best enjoyed when aged for between 1 and 5 years. However, some better examples can be cellared for over a decade.