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The second category and next highest wine predicate in Germany is "Spätlese" wine.
The term Spätlese in German means "late harvest". German Spätlese is picked about two weeks later after the main harvest and their natural sweetness (must weight; Oechsle) and their alcohol content are generally higher than Kabinett wines. At this late harvest, the grapes are now fully ripened and have a greater body, longer finish and more intensity of fruit than their younger siblings, the Kabinetts. Spätlese can be dry, semi-dry or sweet in style and maintains an amazing balance of sweetness and acidity. These wines are more intense in flavor and concentration, but not necessarily sweet.
German Spätlese is good as a food-pairing wine, because of its greater complexity, tension between different aromas and its long finish. Spätlese pairs extraordinarily well with bigger seafood dishes, such as salmon, lobster or crab, and spicy dishes, including Thai and Mexican cuisine. A German Spätlese can be aged for 3-10 years.
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