Federweisser

Winzerkeller Wiesloch Glas neuer Wein 2011

Federweisser (also spelled Federweißer, Federweiss, or Federweiß) is a partially fermented alcoholic beverage made from freshly pressed grape juice, known as must, and is popular in Germany and Austria during the autumn wine harvest season. The name "Federweisser" translates to "feather white," referring to the cloudy appearance of the drink due to the suspended yeast particles.

Production

Federweisser is produced by fermenting freshly pressed grape must. The fermentation process is initiated by the natural yeast present on the grape skins or by adding cultured yeast. The fermentation is allowed to proceed only partially, resulting in a beverage with a low alcohol content, typically between 4% and 10%. The fermentation process continues even after bottling, which is why Federweisser is usually sold in bottles with a loose cap to allow the carbon dioxide produced during fermentation to escape.

Characteristics

Federweisser is characterized by its cloudy appearance, which is due to the presence of yeast cells in suspension. It has a sweet, fruity taste with a slight effervescence. The flavor profile can vary depending on the grape variety used and the stage of fermentation. As the fermentation progresses, the sweetness decreases, and the alcohol content increases.

Consumption

Federweisser is typically consumed during the autumn months, particularly from September to October, coinciding with the grape harvest season. It is often enjoyed with traditional German dishes such as Zwiebelkuchen (onion tart) and Flammkuchen (a type of flatbread). Due to its ongoing fermentation, Federweisser should be consumed within a few days of purchase and kept refrigerated to slow down the fermentation process.

Related Beverages

Federweisser is similar to other partially fermented grape beverages found in various wine-producing regions. In Austria, it is known as Sturm. In Switzerland, a similar drink is called Sauser. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, it is referred to as Burčák.

Related Pages

• Wine
• Grape
• Must
• Fermentation
• Zwiebelkuchen
• Flammkuchen

See Also

• Sturm (wine)
• Sauser
• Burčák