🍷 Federweisser

Federweisser (Federweißer) is the German name for partially fermented grape must: young, cloudy juice on its way to becoming wine, sweet, lightly sparkling and drunk during the grape harvest. German law reserves the name for must made from fresh grapes with a protected designation of origin or a protected geographical indication. ¹³

An EU category, not yet wine. In EU law the product is «partially fermented grape must»: fermented grape must with an actual alcoholic strength above 1% vol but below three fifths of its total alcoholic strength. Finished wine is a separate category, and so is «new wine still in fermentation», whose fermentation is not finished and which is not yet separated from its lees. ²

Rules for the name. Under § 34c of the German Wine Regulation, «Federweißer» may appear on a label only for partially fermented must made from fresh must with a protected origin and intended for direct consumption. If only red grapes are used, the label may say «Roter Federweißer» or «Federroter»; «Federrotling» is reserved for a pale to light red product made by blending white grapes with red ones, also as mash. ¹

Other names. German partially fermented must without a protected origin may add only one of these terms to the EU sales name: «Süßer», «Neuer Süßer», «Bremser», «Bitzler», «Suser», «Sauser», «Neuer» or «Rauscher»; no other additions are allowed. A product from another EU member state may be called Federweißer only if it is made from fresh must and carries a protected indication of that state. ¹

Feathers and fizz. According to the German Wine Institute, the name comes from the yeasts that dance in the glass like tiny feathers and also make it prickle. As they turn the natural sugar into alcohol, carbon dioxide forms and slowly escapes; held to the ear, the glass sounds like the sea, which explains the name «Rauscher». It is best halfway from grape juice to wine, at about 5% vol. ³

Why the bottle stays open. Fermentation is not finished, so new carbon dioxide keeps forming; the container is therefore not sealed airtight, or it could burst, and it must be carried upright. Taste it first: if it is right, put it in the fridge, because cold stops fermentation; if it is too sweet, leave it at room temperature and taste again after 6–8 hours. ³

The season. The harvest for Federweißer starts early: on 18 August 2025 the German Wine Institute reported it gaining pace in many regions, with Solaris picked in Baden at about 92° Oechsle. Rhineland-Palatinate alone sells about 2 million litres a year, and for many people it belongs with onion tart. ³⁴ Since 8 December 2023, EU wine-product labels must give a nutrition declaration and ingredients, which may be partly available electronically. ⁵

Neighbouring traditions. Austrian Sturm, the closest relative of Federweißer, comes only from Austrian grapes and may be sold from 1 August to 31 December of the harvest year. ⁶ Czech burčák is made only from grapes harvested in Czechia and may be sold from 1 August to 30 November. ⁷ All three are the same EU product with different national names and rules. ²

Why it matters to you. The name Federweißer guarantees must with a protected origin, while «Neuer Süßer» or «Sauser» may mean a simpler product. ¹ Keep the bottle upright and cold, and remember that its alcohol keeps rising while it ferments. ³ The WHO stresses that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. ⁸