Germany

Names on the label

Official labelling guidance lists three product names: Schaumwein, Sekt (quality sparkling wine, Qualitätsschaumwein) and Sekt b.A.² The origin must be stated, for example "Deutscher Sekt" or "Deutsches Erzeugnis".^2,4 Minimum production times depend on the method:²

Sekt b.A.

Sekt b.A. (Qualitätsschaumwein bestimmter Anbaugebiete) must name its growing area (Anbaugebiet). It may be made outside the area if the cellar lies in the same or a neighbouring federal state.² A smaller place name, a grape variety or a vintage may be added only when at least 85% of the grapes match it.⁴ Each lot needs an official test number (A.P.Nr.), and the word "Tankgärung" may not appear on the label.⁴ It is sold only in a sparkling-wine glass bottle; above 0.2 l the closure is a mushroom cork with a wire cage.^6,4

Winzersekt

Winzersekt is a Sekt b.A. from grapes harvested by the estate that makes it (for a cooperative, by its members).¹ It must be made by bottle fermentation and stay at least nine months on the lees without interruption in the same operation.^1,6 The label names the estate, the grape variety and the vintage.¹ Contract sparkling production (Lohnversektung) is allowed.⁴

Crémant

A white or rosé Sekt b.A. may be called Crémant if it meets the EU conditions: hand harvest, at most 100 l of must per 150 kg of grapes, bottle fermentation with nine months on the lees, total SO2 up to 150 mg/l and sugar below 50 g/l.^4,2 The name of the protected origin must appear with the term.¹

Market figures

Destatis counted 281.5 million litres sold in 2025: 240.1 million taxed in Germany and 41.4 million exported tax-free. The figure covers all sparkling wine taxed in Germany, including imports and sparkling fruit wine under 6%.³ Taxed sales were 255.3 million litres in 2024, and the number of producers fell from 1,084 in 2021 to 902 in 2025.⁵ The tax is 1.02 EUR per 0.75 l bottle; a 20% increase from 2027 was proposed in a budget draft and was not in force when this page was checked.⁵ These are tax figures; no official production volume was found.