Nonnenberg (2017) - Georg Breuer

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In the heart of the Rheingau, the Georg Breuer winery holds a fascinating secret: the Nonnenberg vineyard. This site, whose name means "nuns' mountain", has a history going back to the Middle Ages, when it belonged to a convent. Legend has it that the nuns grew Riesling here, seen as a divine gift for the way it reflects the unique terroir of the region. In 2017 the Nonnenberg vintage celebrated that tradition with an exceptional harvest, the result of a warm summer and a mild autumn that allowed the grapes to ripen perfectly.

Nonnenberg (2017) - Georg Breuer

Type: Vino Bianco

Area: Germany, Rheingau, Hesse

Appellation: Rheingau Riesling

Grape variety: Riesling

Vintage: 2017

Winery: Georg Breuer

Alcohol: 12.5%

The appellation: Rheingau Riesling

Rheingau Riesling is one of the most authentic and refined expressions of the Riesling grape variety, from the historic Rheingau wine region in Germany. This appellation is known for a winemaking tradition going back centuries, and for the production of high-quality white wines, marked by a perfect balance between freshness and aromatic complexity.

What to eat with Nonnenberg

Who makes it: Georg Breuer

Georg Breuer is a historic winery in the renowned Rheingau wine region of Germany, founded in 1880 by Georg Breuer. The winery is known for its dedication to quality and tradition, making wines that express the unique character of the local terroir. A passion for wine and respect for the land are the pillars on which this historic estate is built. Georg Breuer's philosophy is based on: Respect for tradition, combining historic techniques and innovation to create wines that tell a story. Sustainability, with viticultural practices that protect the environment and promote biodiversity. Consistent quality, through rigorous grape selection and a careful winemaking process. Approachability: wines made for every occasion, perfect for every palate.

The vine of Nonnenberg

Riesling

Riesling is one of the most prestigious and widely recognised white grape varieties in the world, valued for its extraordinary ability to express terroir and to produce wines of great longevity and complexity. Native to Germany, Riesling is today grown in many wine regions, where it stands out for its versatility and its unique aromatic profile.

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Nonnenberg: the Hesse area

Hesse

Hesse is a wine region of great prestige in the heart of Germany, with a winemaking tradition going back centuries. The area is especially renowned for its white wines, above all those made from Riesling, considered the emblem of local wine production. The wines of Hesse are marked by a unique freshness and minerality, thanks to soils rich in limestone and to the favourable sun exposure of the vineyards.

Climate: Continental

Altitude: Low to mid altitude (200–500 m above sea level)

Soil: Slate

Geographical setting: Hilly

Profile of Nonnenberg

Primary aromas: Citrus, White fruit

Secondary aromas: Aromatic herbs, minerals

Tertiary aromas: Honey

Tasting notes: An elegant Riesling with notes of ripe fruit and a distinctive minerality, typical of the Rheingau.

Sulphites	yes
Body	Mineral
Acidity	Medium-high
Tannin	Absent
Sweetness	Dry
Finish	Long
Colour	Pale straw yellow
Clarity	Clear

Winemaking methods used for Nonnenberg

Fermentation in wooden vats

Fermentation in wooden vats is a traditional, refined winemaking technique in which the must ferments inside wooden vessels — usually large casks, truncated-cone vats or oak tanks — rather than stainless steel or concrete. This allows natural micro-oxygenation, which encourages a slower, steadier fermentation and gives the wine added complexity, volume and aromatic finesse. It is used both for structured, long-lived reds and for serious whites, sometimes alongside skin maceration or followed by ageing in the same vessel.

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Ageing methods used for Nonnenberg

In cask (7–18 months)

Ageing in cask for between 7 and 18 months is a classic but measured approach to maturing wine. Large casks, usually Slavonian oak or untoasted French oak, allow natural micro-oxygenation, which helps the wine settle, knit together and develop a more complex, harmonious profile. This kind of ageing is widely used for terroir-driven reds and for some structured whites that are after depth without the aromatic intensity a barrique would give.

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Time on the lees for Nonnenberg

Medium (7–18 months)