Can you pick a grape at Spätlese level but declassify it as Kabinett?

• A. No.
• B. Yes. It is common in warmer vintages for Riesling picked at Spätlese ripeness to be released as Kabinett.
• C. Only if the producer submits a formal request to authorities.
• D. Only for Gewürztraminer.

Answer: (B)

In German wine labeling, the level of Prädikat (Kabinett, Spätlese, etc.) is tied to how ripe the grapes were at harvest, with Spätlese representing riper fruit than Kabinett. But winemakers can choose to declassify a wine to a lower Prädikat if they believe the finished wine’s balance—especially acidity, alcohol, and overall drinkability—fits the lighter Kabinett profile better. This is a common practice in warmer vintages with Riesling: fruit may reach Spätlese ripeness, yet the wine can be bottled and labeled as Kabinett to reflect its fresh, less-rich style and maintain elegance and approachability. The decision is a labeling choice within regulatory guidelines, not something that requires a special government petition, and it isn’t limited to Gewürztraminer.