Beerenauslese literally means "berry selection" in German. Beerenauslese wines are made from grapes that are picked individually rather than as whole bunches. All grapes on a given cluster or "bunch" do not normally ripen at exactly the same rates. Berry selection allows the winemaker to make superb wine by insuring that every grape berry is picked at optimum ripeness. Obviously, beerenauslese wines cannot be cheap (unless they are stolen). (Wine/Classification & Attributes)