How do Spätlese and Auslese differ?

• A. Spätlese uses riper grapes than Kabinett; Auslese uses even riper grapes and tends to be fuller-bodied and sweeter
• B. Spätlese uses grapes that are less ripe than Kabinett
• C. Spätlese and Auslese have identical ripeness
• D. Spätlese is the sweetest of all Prädikatswein

Answer: (A)

Ripeness level in German Prädikatswein drives both sweetness potential and body. Spätlese comes from grapes picked later than those for Kabinett, giving riper grapes with more sugar and concentration. Auslese goes even further by selecting the ripest berries individually, often resulting in even higher sugar levels, more intense flavors, and a fuller body. So Spätlese uses riper grapes than Kabinett, and Auslese uses even riper grapes and tends to be fuller-bodied and sweeter. Note that the sweetest end of the range isn’t Auslese—the higher categories like Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese can be even sweeter.