German precision equally applies to how the Germans harvest their grapes, selectively picking individual clusters or even individual grapes, just at the point of ripeness to make their quality German wine. The combination of a long growing season and the perfect conditions for botrytis has made Germany the world leader in sweet Rieslings. It's also led to the rather complicated and progressive 'distinctions' of Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Eiswein and Trockenbeerenauslese.
