What is the difference between QbA and Prädikatswein regarding must weight and ripeness?

• A. QbA is defined by grape variety; Prädikatswein is defined by aging potential.
• B. QbA is defined by region and minimum must weight; Prädikatswein is defined by ripeness level at harvest (Kabinett to Eiswein).
• C. QbA is defined by climate zone; Prädikatswein is defined by alcohol content.
• D. QbA is defined by sugar additions; Prädikatswein is defined by grape ripeness.

Answer: (B)

In German wine classification, the two quality tracks are distinguished by what defines the category: QbA focuses on origin plus a minimum must weight, while Prädikatswein focuses on how ripe the grapes were at harvest, expressed through specific Prädikat levels from Kabinett to Eiswein. A QbA wine comes from a defined wine region and must meet a regional minimum must weight to qualify as Qualitätswein from that area. Prädikatswein, on the other hand, is defined by the grape’s ripeness at harvest—the must weight determines the Prädikat category, with higher ripeness leading to higher categories (Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beeren­auslese, Trocken­beerenauslese, Eiswein). This means QbA is about where the wine comes from and meeting a regional sugar baseline, while Prädikatswein is about how ripe the grapes were when picked.