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Rheingau Riesling - Its temple, castle, art and sustainability  Rheingau FEB 2025 | Terroir.mk © The 50th Parallel has been considered for centuries the last frontier where the grape can successfully ripening. That thin line that separates life from survival passes through the small but also the most important wine region in Germany, the famous Rheingau. Through the beautiful valley, where the Rhine River turns to the west, and under the protection of the Taunus mountain, on its southern sunny slopes, the great Riesling dwells peacefully. Now is February, it's actually still "dreaming", we won't wake it up. Although, we'll definitely wake up dozens of Rieslings, but from the bottles. When it comes to the centuries-old connection between Rheingau and Riesling, where someone has counted more than 1200 years of their friendship, it is necessary to know two German terms: Schloss and Kloster (castle and monastery), in order to better understand their rich heritage. Nobles and monks, each in their own time, founded and elevated Riesling to a pedestal from which there is simply no return. It's no secret that Riesling was in such demand in the past that people paid more for it than for wines from the famous Bordeaux chateaux. That was a time when Riesling became a hero.  Schloss Johannisberg 2025 | Terroir.mk © In the middle of the Rheingau lies the Benedictine monastery, founded around 1100 and built in 1715, Schloss Johannisberg (Castel Johannisberg). It is considered one of the oldest Riesling wineries in the world. After all, wine has been grown on the Johannisberg since the year 817. The world-famous "Schloss Johannisberger Riesling" has been growing here since 1720. In 1775, by chance - the courier arrived too late with the permission to start the grape harvest - the higher quality of a Spätlese - late harvest was discovered and from this the high quality levels such as Auslesen, Beerenauslesen, Trockenbeerenauslesen and Eiswein were developed, which established the world fame of the Rheingau Riesling. We tasted a flight of their pradikacat wines from earlier vintages, arranged by VDP class, which I was guided through by the experienced hospitality manager, Mr. Stefan Eiser. Walking through the old cellar was a special experience, and the archive was fascinating. There was only one bottle left of what was perhaps the oldest Riesling in the world from 1748. It's unnecessary to comment on these wines, we can only say that they lived up to their popularity. 
Organic Wine Train at Balthasar Ress  Mr. Dominic Nebel POS-manager & Sommelier at Balthasar Ress Winery In 1870, Balthasar Ress founded the Guesthouse Ress in Hattenheim in the Rheingau. In doing so, he laid the foundation for a long gastronomic tradition and for the 5th generation of the family-run, organic VDP .wine estate Baltasar Ress. Highly classified top vineyards stretching from Hattenheim to Assmannshausen (almost whole Rheingau wine region) form the basis of these wines.
Georg Breuer - The Artistic Freedom of Riesling Georg Breuer Winery is a renowned estate located in the heart of Rüdesheim am Rhein. It was established in 1880 and later acquired by the Breuer family in the early 20th century. The winery is celebrated for its high-quality Riesling and Pinot Noir, cultivated across 34 hectares of vineyards, including prestigious sites like Berg Schlossberg and Nonnenberg.  The owner of the winery Ms. Theresa Beruer Under the leadership of Theresa Breuer, who took over after her father's passing in 2004, the winery has gained international acclaim. It emphasizes sustainable practices and produces wines with exceptional aging potential. When asked provocatively what is her role at the winery, she replied, "I'm here to make everyone happy." And indeed, I also got a big piece of happiness through a specially selected wines for personalized tasting.  Georg Breuer Wine Tasting | Terroir.mk ©
Kloster Eberbach - From Monach to high-tech Riesling The history of the Kloster Eberbach winery goes back as far as the history of the cultural monument itself, over 900 years. Even for the French monks who settled in the Rheingau at the beginning of the 12th century, viticulture was one of the essential occupations. The wines, which were initially intended for the monastery's own needs, soon developed into a sought-after commodity that ensured its future and prosperity. Many therefore consider it as the temple of Riesling.  Kloster Eberbach Abbey 2025 | Terroir.mk © Today, Kloster Eberbach owns several wine estates covering 230 ha in the Rheingau and on the Hessian Bergstrasse. Their vineyards are in one of the best locations where sustainable production is significantly represented resulting in high quality grapes, thus wines. Located just a few hundred meters from Kloster Eberbach, Steinberger is considered the favorite vineyard of the Cistercians, in the continuation of which is built at several levels underground, perhaps the most modern winery in Europe, where I was greeted by the head winemaker Kathrin Puff.
Harmonious, well developed, mid and succulent aftertaste. Probably at its peak, although its structure and high intensity of primary notes can still enhance, and surprise with new tertiaries. Thank you to the wineries for their warm and excellent hospitality. It was a fantastic wine experience. I will definitely come again, as I feel like I have only scratched the surface of this historically rich and important wine region with top-notch wines. Cheers!  Niederwalddenkmal / Rüdesheim am Rhein | Terroir.mk ©
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AUTHOR
Zvonko Herceg
WSET Educator GrandVin 2025
29MAR 
MASOM WINE COURSES
ToA24 -TASTE of AWARDS
04OCT 
VRANÆC WORLD DAY
05OCT 
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