Dominik Mueller

Rüdesheim in the Rheingau

We spent a lovely day in Rüdesheim on Sunday, 3 March 2024. Sunny early spring weather. It wasn’t crowded as we arrived early right after breakfast. Ideal conditions for a stroll! Similar to Burgundy, although not quite as large, the Rheingau is a narrow region. However, it stretches over a length of almost 40 kilometres along the Rhine. Almost completely south-facing and with steep slopes in places, it offers ideal conditions for growing Riesling and Pinot Noir. Rüdesheim is a town at the foot of the particularly steep Rüdesheimer Berg Schlossberg towards the Western border of the Rheingau, close to Assmannshausen. The town is also known for the picturesque Drosselgasse with its cafés and bars. (Often the final destination of late-night partygoers from close and afar, including viticulture and enology students from Germany’s prime university for aspiring future winegrowers in nearby Geisenheim.)

Weingut Georg Breuer

Rüdesheim is also the home town of Rheingau winery Georg Breuer, famous for their savoury Riesling grand crus. We paid a visit to their vinotèque, where I tasted three of their dry Rieslings from the latest vintage 2022. It was a spontaneous, stand-up tasting, hence I didn’t take notes. Instead, I’ll present my thoughts on the wines as I recalled them back at home later that day. Needless to say, I bought a few wines there, so more detailed tasting notes with ratings will follow at some point in the future.

The tasting

2022 Weingut Georg Breuer Riesling "Estate" Rüdesheim
Lemon colour. Typical Rheingau nose of medium intensity. White fruit, peach, some stony minerality, and herbaceous notes. Good attack on the palate, quite forward and refreshing. Medium body. The acidity is integrated very well. Nicely balanced finish. Indicative points 8-10.

2022 Weingut Georg Breuer Riesling "Estate" Rauenthal
Lemon colour with green reflexes. The bouquet of the Rauenthal appears cooler than the Rüdesheim Riesling. More stony by comparison. Again bright fruits, though slightly less exotic and less ripe. More in the direction of pear. In the mouth, light-bodied, but linear and monolithic with grip and a good acidity. Fresh citrus, some herbs. Salty finish. I like this one. Still young and should develop well over the years. Provisional points 9-11.

2022 Weingut Georg Breuer Terra Montosa
Lemon colour, but deeper than for the "Estate" wines. The bouquet is immediately gripping. Higher intensity and more concentrated. Apricots, lemon, wet stones, herbal notes. Finely yeasty, too. Must have spent some time on the lees, probably in used Stück or Halbstück barrels. This Riesling is wide-shouldered, yet remains precise. Dense and full-bodied on the palate. Juicy and mouth-watering. Long finish. Although drinking very nicely already, this youthful Terra Montosa has backbone and will undoubtedly benefit from more cellaring. Indicative points 10-12.

Vinothèque of Weingut Georg Breuer in Rüdesheim

Rüdesheim along the Rhine

The Drosselgasse in Rüdesheim