What defines Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA)?

• A. Dessert wine made from individually selected botrytized berries.
• B. A sparkling wine from late harvest grapes.
• C. A dry white wine made from non-botrytized grapes.
• D. A fortified wine with high alcohol.

Answer: (A)

Trockenbeerenauslese is defined by making a dessert wine from grapes that are individually picked after becoming deeply shriveled by noble rot. This strict berry-by-berry selection, from grapes heavily affected by Botrytis, concentrates the sugars and acidity to produce an exceptionally rich, sweet wine with great aging potential. That description matches the essence of Trockenbeerenauslese: a dessert wine crafted from carefully chosen botrytized berries.

The other descriptions don’t fit: a sparkling wine from late harvest grapes isn’t about botrytized berries or individual berry selection; a dry white wine from non-botrytized grapes lacks the botrytized concentration; a fortified wine involves added spirits and a different style entirely.