Auslese

Auslese meaning in German wine

Auslese is a German and Austrian Prädikatswein ripeness category meaning “select harvest.” It is made from individually selected ripe grape bunches and often produces sweet or dessert-style wines, but the term is a ripeness classification, not a guarantee that every Auslese is sweet.

Auslese sits above Spätlese and below Beerenauslese in the German Prädikat hierarchy. The best examples balance concentrated fruit and natural acidity, with flavors that can range from ripe stone fruit and honey to botrytis-influenced spice.