Kabinett [kah-bih-NEHT]
The first (lowest) of the six subcategories of Qualitätswein mit Prädikat (QmP)—the highest quality-wine category in Germany. Kabinett wines must contain minimum amounts of natural sugar (ranging from 67° to 85° Oechsle, approximately 17 to 21 percent sugar by weight), depending on the region and the variety. These are the lowest minimums for QmP wines, and these wines are therefore usually the driest (see dry) and least expensive. (Qualitätswein be-stimmter Anbaugebiet and Deutscher Tafelwein are the two quality categories lower than QmP wines.) In Austria, Kabinett is the highest subcategory of Qualitätswein and is not included in Austria’s highest category, Prädikatswein.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.