11th July, 2016 by Darren Smith
4. Theresa Breuer – Weingut Georg Breuer, Rheingau
If Weingut Georg Breuer represents the future of German Riesling, rest assured that future is a bright one. The story behind the wine is as extraordinary as the wines themselves.
Theresa took over winemaking at the 34ha Rudesheim estate in Rheingau 12 years ago, after her winemaker father died suddenly. Then just 20 years old, Theresa essentially had to start from scratch.
She studied intensively at Geisenheim (conveniently, a short drive from her home) and working with the veteran cellar master of the estate, soon began to make Rieslings of remarkable elegance and ageability.
Theresa says that low alcohol (11-11.5% the norm for single-vineyard wines), strict control of ripeness and avoidance of botrytis-affected berries are crucial to her way of working.
Grapes are handpicked and, for the most part, wild-fermented, with large, old oak barrels used for both fermentation and ageing. The estate has been farmed organically (uncertified) since 2011 and is certified sustainable.
Theresa likes crisp, aromatic Rieslings and the family owns vineyards on some of the best local Grosse Lage (grand cru) Riesling sites: Schlossberg, Berg Rottland, Berg Roseneck….