What is the essential difference between Qualitätswein (QbA) and Prädikatswein?

• A. QbA is defined by region and minimum must weight; Prädikatswein is defined by ripeness at harvest
• B. QbA is defined by grape variety; Prädikatswein by region
• C. QbA requires botrytized grapes; Prädikatswein does not
• D. QbA is older; Prädikatswein younger

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how the quality category is determined. Qualitätswein (QbA) is defined by the grapes’ region of origin and a minimum must weight for grapes from that region. In other words, where the wine comes from and the baseline sugar content set a baseline for quality. Prädikatswein, by contrast, is defined by how ripe the grapes were when picked, indicated by the Prädikat levels (Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, and so on), which reflect higher must weights tied to grape maturity at harvest. So the essential difference is region/minimum must weight versus ripeness at harvest.