Ausbruch
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Ausbruch (literal meaning: "broken-out") or sometimes Ausbruchwein is an Austrian wine term for a quality level in the Prädikatswein category.[1] It is situated between Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese in requirements, which makes it a sweet dessert wine typically made from grapes affected by noble rot. The minimum must weight requirements for Ausbruch is 27 degrees KMW.[1] The Ausbruch Prädikat exists only in Austria, not in Germany.
The term Ausbruch initially designated a wine made from mixing grapes affected by noble rot with must from less concentrated grapes, in the Spätlese to Beerenauslese range. This filled the purpose of dissolving crystallized sugars in the grapes in order to speed up the fermentation and make it more efficient. This has also been called to "break out" the sugar, which is how the term was coined.[2] This is the same as Aszú method of the Tokaji Aszú wines are produced in Austria's neighbouring Hungary, although using a classification system with several levels. However, in difference from the Aszú method, Ausbruch wines are not required to be made by mixing the two components, and in reality almost all present-day Austrian Ausbruch wines are produced in the same way as a Trockenbeerenauslese, but subject to a 27 ºKMW rather than 30 ºKMW requirement.[1][2]
The category was introduced into Austrian wine legislation in 1970, as a legalization of the production method allegedly already used in the area of Rust.[2] Ruster Ausbruch are still the most common Ausbruch wines to encounter; in many other Austrian regions, producers classify their wines as Beerenauslese if they fall short of the Trockenbeerenauslese requirements.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Wines from Austria: Quality Designations in Detail, accessed on May 21, 2008
- ^ a b c Wein-Plus Glossar: Ausbruch, accessed on May 21, 2008
