auslese
LowFormal / Specialist
Definition
Meaning
A German wine term for a select late-harvest wine made from individually chosen, overripe grapes, typically rich and sweet.
Any selection of the best or choicest individuals or items; an elite group or collection chosen for superior quality.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a viticultural term borrowed from German. In extended use, it often carries connotations of exclusivity and meticulous selection based on high standards.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical; it is a borrowed specialist term used in both wine culture and occasionally in literary/formal contexts. No regional variation in application.
Connotations
Conveys sophistication, rarity, and high quality. May sound slightly pretentious or overly technical in non-wine contexts.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse. Slightly more likely to be encountered in UK writing due to historical engagement with German wine terminology.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Adj] AusleseAuslese of [N][Noun] AusleseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common English idioms with 'auslese']”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. Might appear metaphorically in marketing for premium, limited-edition products.
Academic
Occurs in oenology (wine science) texts or cultural studies discussing German products.
Everyday
Virtually never used unless discussing specialty wines.
Technical
Standard term in viticulture and wine tasting for a specific Prädikatswein classification in Germany and Austria.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The Auslese Riesling had a magnificent bouquet.
- They served an Auslese wine with the pudding.
American English
- He collects Auslese wines from the Mosel region.
- An Auslese dessert wine paired perfectly with the pie.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We tried a sweet German wine called Auslese.
- The wine list featured a fine Riesling Auslese from a renowned Rheingau estate.
- The committee was an auslese of the industry's leading experts.
- The gallery's latest exhibition is a veritable auslese of contemporary Scandinavian photography, curated with impeccable taste.
- This Auslese, with its notes of apricot and honey, demonstrates perfect botrytis character.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'OUT-LAY-Zeh' – you LAY OUT a lot of money for this SELECT wine.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUALITY IS RARITY / EXCELLENCE IS A CAREFULLY CHOSEN COLLECTION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'отбор' (selection process). 'Auslese' implies the elite result, not the act. Avoid direct translation in non-wine contexts as it will sound unnatural.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to auslese').
- Misspelling as 'auslease' or 'ausleze'.
- Using it to refer to any wine, not just the specific German late-harvest type.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'auslese' most accurately and commonly used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a loanword used primarily in English contexts related to wine. It retains its German spelling and core meaning.
Yes, but it is a very formal and literary usage. For example, 'an auslese of scholars' means an elite group of scholars. In everyday speech, it would sound unusual.
Both are German wine terms. Spätlese means 'late harvest' and is generally less sweet. Auslese means 'selected harvest' and is made from specially chosen, riper grapes, typically producing a sweeter, richer wine.
When referring specifically to the wine classification, it is often capitalised as a proper noun (like a brand or category). In its extended metaphorical sense ('an auslese of artists'), it is usually lowercased.