Squint

Designation for a wine from the German wine-growing region of Saxony with a pale to light red colour. The Richter Vincenz winery in Meißen (Saxony) had this designation protected as a brand name. In the meantime, however, it can be used in the Saxony wine-growing region. The Saxon pronunciation for "pupil" is thought to be the origin, as they could only afford this inexpensive wine as a "Zechwein", as opposed to the "Prädikat" wines of the wealthy (the "gentlemen"). A second interpretation refers to the fact that the wine "shimmers" in the glass. The wine must be produced from a grape or mash mixture of freely usable red and white varieties from the Saxony growing region.

According to EU law, it is a name-protected, traditional term that fulfils the conditions of a quality wine (PDO). In Germany, it belongs to the Rotling group, but may not be labelled as rosé under German wine law. The designation may also be used for a quality sparkling wine or quality semi-sparkling wine if these products are only made from wine from the Saxony wine-growing region. Other wines with similar regulations are Badisch Rotgold and Schillerwein (Germany) and Schiller (Switzerland).

Further information

For the production of alcoholic beverages, see Champagne (sparkling wines), distillation (distillates), spirits (types), winemaking (wines and wine types) and wine law (wine law issues).

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Roman Horvath MW
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