W3 Wine School

Sekt (Germany)

Sekt (Schaumwein) is very popular in Germany.

Annual consumption (5 litres/person) is the highest in the world.

Sekt Flavors

Typical flavors for quality Sekt are Citrus, Apple, Peach, Melon, and Jasmine.

Low quality sekt is difficult to profile.

Lemon
Lemon
Orange Zest
Orange Zest
Apple
Apple
Peach
Peach
Melon
Melon
Jasmine
Jasmine
Marmelade
Marmelade
Mineral
Minerals

Sekt Profile

Sekt tends to be sweeter than Champagne and Cava:

SUGAR:Dry - Half-dry
BODY:Light
FRUIT:Medium
ACIDITY:High
ALCOHOL:10-12%
Temperature Serving temperatures:
6-8°C (43-46°F)

Sekt Food Pairing

You can drink sparkling wine to almost everything, whether it is French Champagne, Spanish Cava or German Sekt.

Sekt is often sweeter than Champagne and Cava. If so, it works best as an aperitif, or in pair with sweet food and cheese.

Aperitif
Aperitif
Salads
Salads
Tapas
Tapas
Sandwitch
Sandwitch
Crab
Seafood
French Fries
Fries
Egg
Egg Dishes
Pasta
Pasta
Strawberries
Strawberries
Panettone
Cantucci
Panettone
Panettone
Soft Cheese
Soft Cheese

Excellent Pairings

Antipasti. Sandwiches. Focaccia.
Green Salad. Asparagus. Avocado. Artichokes.
Ham and Melon. Prosciutto. Serano.
Egg Dishes. Omelette. Smoked Salmon.
French Fries. Popcorn.
Panettone. Biscuits.
Fruit Salad. Sweet Soufflés.
Figs. Chocolate. Crème Brulée.

The Ideal Glass for Sekt

A Flute Glass has a tall and narrow bowl to emphasize the aromas of the wine. The shape also helps balance the acidity found in sparkling wines.

Flutes also preserve bubbles by reducing the surface area at the top, which slows the release of carbonation, keeping a sparkling wine fizzy for longer.

Sekt Cheese Pairing

Brie and Camembert

The creamy, buttery texture and mild flavors of Brie or Camembert pair well with Sekt's soft bubbles and fruity notes. Serve the cheese at room temperature with slices of pear or apple.

Chèvre (Goat Cheese)

The tangy, fresh flavors of goat cheese complement the acidity often found in Sekt, especially those made from Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon Blanc. Drizzle with a bit of honey or sprinkle with fresh herbs.

Chaource

This creamy, slightly tangy cheese enhances Sekt's gentle acidity and complements its soft bubbles. Serve with fresh berries or a touch of apricot jam.

Langres

This mild, washed-rind cheese has a creamy texture and a subtle tang that pairs beautifully with Sekt. Add a small drop of honey or serve with fresh grapes.

Tomme de Savoie

This semi-hard, nutty cheese pairs beautifully with the gentle effervescence and often fruity character of Sekt. Add some dried fruits or nuts to highlight the pairing.

Sparkling Sekt

In Germany and Austria Sparkling wines are called Sekt.

Sekt is a sparkling wine that is primarily produced in Germany and Austria, where it has the role as an alternative to expensive Champagne and Spanish Cava.

Normally, Sekt is made using the "Charmat" method, like Prosecco, but some producers also use the "Champagne" method to produce high quality Sekt.

German Quality Grades

NameDescription
German Sekt Lowest quality
Sekt using German grapes
Sekt A Medium quality
Sekt using grapes from one of 13 named regions
Winzersekt High quality
Made with the "Champagne" method
Sekt made with single origin Riesling
Aged in the bottle on the yeast for minimum 9 months

The most common grape is Riesling.


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