Anbaugebiet is Germany’s broadest category of quality wine region.
All German regions are classifed EU Zone A apart for Baden which is classified Zone B. Each anbaugebiet is subdivided into bereiche. “The A in Qba stands for Anbaugebiet and these regions are fundamental to Germany’s wine labelling and wine law,” (OCW: 2006, p.23).
The 13 specified viticultural regions or anbaugebiete are: Ahr, Baden, Franken, Hessische Bergstrasse, Mittelrhein, Mosel Saar Ruwer, Nahe, Pfalz, Rheingau, Rheinhessen, Saachsen, Saale Unstrut and Württemberg (Swabia).
Bibliography
Oxford Companion to Wine: 2006, p.23).