The terms Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese and Eiswein are found mainly in Germany and Austria and include fruity-sweet and noble sweet wines. Due to the climatic conditions icewine can be produced in both countries, whereas straw wine and Ausbruch are found only in Austria. In Alsace Vendage Tardive is a counterpart to Spätlese and Sélection de Grains Nobles to Beerenauslese. The equivalent in Switzerland is Flétri.
The late harvest and the three different types of Auslese offer a range of sweetness and complexity, so that a adequate companion can be found for a multitude of differing desserts. More complex ones are ideal as an aperitif. It is best to drink these wines at a temperature of 8 to 14 ° C.
The must weights (Oechslegrade) increase from Spätlese to Auslese, Beerenauslese-Eiswein to Trockenbeerenauslese, although there are slightly different requirements in terms of must weight depending on the growing area (in Austria, the by law ruled must weights are slightly higher).