Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete, abbreviated QbA (quality wine from one of the 13 specified wine-growing regions) must fulfill the following conditions:

• be produced exclusively from German produce from the legally recognized roster of grapes permitted in Germany, grown in one of the 13 specified wine-growing regions; the region must be declared on the label
• must reach a natural alcohol contentcorresponding to a must weight between 51 and 72o Oechsle (depending on region and grape variety)
• must reach an existing alcohol content of at least 7% by volume.

The alcohol content of these wines may be strengthened prior to fermentation by chaptalization.

Since 1 September 1994, the German wine law has permitted the production of a special type of QbA, a quality wine of guaranteed origin. Qualitätswein garantierten Ursprungs (QgU), is a QbA from a specific district, vineyard or village that has a consistent taste profile associated with its appellation of origin. Such wines are subject to more stringent sensory and analytical requirements. A group of Mosel vintners near the Luxembourg border was the first to make use of QgU status with an Obermosel Elbling trocken (dry).