Trocken?

[wondersofwine]

If it said Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) it would be a super sweet dessert wine and very expensive. In this case "trocken" means that the grapes were "dry selected berries" or overripe grapes left on the vine until nearly dried up and probably attacked by "Edelfaule" or "noble rot" or Botrytis Cinerea--names for a beneficial mold which shrivels the grapes and thereby concentrates the sugar. To attain the Trockenbeerenauslese category, the natural sugar must reach a minimum of 150 Oechsle, approximately 35% by weight) depending on the region and the variety.
I think IK's answer is the more relevant one in this case. However, if someone ever offers you a taste of a TBA wine, say "yes."
It's an interesting point that the "dried out grapes" do not produce dry wine but rather a very sweet wine.

[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 05-11-2005).]