What is the term used for German wine without a Geographic Indication (GI)?

The term for German wine without a Geographic Indication (GI) is "Deutscher Wein." This designation indicates that the wine is produced within Germany but does not meet the requirements for higher classifications that are tied to specific regions or quality indicators. This category encompasses a broad range of wines from various regions of Germany, emphasizing that while they exhibit German wine characteristics, they do not possess the particular terroir or quality criteria associated with wines that have a GI.

In contrast, Landwein refers to country wines that are produced in a specific region and meet certain quality standards but still lack the strict criteria required for higher classifications. Qualitätswein is a classification that denotes higher quality wines with specific characteristics and, most importantly, a defined Geographic Indication. Finally, Prädikatswein represents the highest tier of quality designations in German wine, indicating premium wines made from grapes with specific ripeness levels, also tied to a GI.