Which statement is true about QbA and Prädikatswein?

• A. They are the same category
• B. QbA is defined by grape variety; Prädikatswein by region
• C. QbA is defined by region and minimum must weight; Prädikatswein is defined by ripeness at harvest
• D. They are unrelated categories

Answer: (C)

In German wine law, two main quality paths are defined by different criteria. QbA, Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete, is determined by where the wine comes from (one of the defined growing regions) and by a legally required minimum must weight at harvest. That minimum varies with the region, ensuring a baseline level of ripeness and quality before any final style is chosen.

Prädikatswein, on the other hand, is defined primarily by how ripe the grapes were when picked. The must weight thresholds at harvest set the specific Prädikat level (such as Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, and so on). The region remains relevant, but the key distinction is that ripeness at harvest drives the Prädikat designation.

So the true statement is that QbA is defined by region and minimum must weight, while Prädikatswein is defined by ripeness at harvest. The other options don’t fit because QbA is not defined by grape variety, they are not the same category, and they are not unrelated categories.