What is the difference between Sekt and wine?

The terms “grape must” and “partially fermented grape must,” as well as “wine,” “sparkling wine,” and “sparkling wine,” are precisely defined by European Union legislation and further specified by national provisions.

Grape must definition

The grape must exclusively obtained from grapes harvested and processed in Austria can be released for direct human consumption purposes between August 1st and December 31st of the harvest year, under the designation “Austrian grape must.”

Partially fermented grape must

Partially fermented grape must can be released for direct human consumption purposes under the denomination “Sturm” if it exclusively originates from grapes harvested in Austria. The term “Sturm” is a traditional designation that replaces the European legal sales denomination “teilweise gegorener Traubenmost g.g.A” (partially fermented grape must with protected geographical indication) with a geographical indication.

Wine definition

The term “wine” refers to the product obtained exclusively through the complete or partial alcoholic fermentation of fresh or macerated grapes or grape must. Depending on its quality level and origin, wine must also possess a certain level of total acidity, as well as a minimum alcohol content or total alcohol content.

Semi-sparkling wines definition

Semi-sparkling wine is a product made from wine, vin jaune (yellow wine), grape must, or partially fermented grape must, provided that the wine has a total alcohol content of at least 9% vol.

The carbon dioxide present in sparkling wine can originate from natural fermentation or be added (carbonation method). The latter case is specific and is referred to as “semi-sparkling wine with added carbon dioxide.

Sparkling wines (or Sekt) definition

The term “sparkling wine” refers to the product obtained through the first or second alcoholic fermentation of fresh grapes, grape must, or wine. This product is characterized by the release of carbon dioxide exclusively from fermentation upon opening the container. In Austria, sparkling wine is produced using the traditional method or the Charmat method.

If you want to know more about Sekt, I wrote a whole post on the different Sekt in Austria. Check it out!

Conclusion : What is the difference between Sekt and wine?

Well there’s none, by definition. Indeed, Sekt, ie sparkling wine, is wine! However, we mostly use the word “wine” for still wines (ie non-sparkling wines), while Sekt is reserved for sparkling wines.

Check out my post on Sekt to know all about it!