Some wines are characterised by balance, elegance or complexity - but then there are those that are more: Wines that embody a landscape and its tradition. This is what happened to me with the Terra Montosa Riesling from the historic Domaine Georg Breuer, which I got to know at the SUMMA in South Tyrol - a moment that immediately sparked enthusiasm.

The Rheingau, one of the cradles of Riesling, offers the ideal origin for this. The region literally breathes in harmony with its vineyards, characterised by centuries of culture.

Although it only accounts for around three per cent of Germany's vineyards, it is world-famous for its fine Rieslings. Germany itself accounts for around 40 per cent of global Riesling production - on an impressive 24,000 hectares of vineyards.

The Terra Montosa is a cuvée that has been in existence since 1990 and combines Rieslings from selected parcels of the top vineyards Berg Roseneck, Berg Schlossberg, Berg Rottland and the monopole Rauenthaler Nonnenberg.

These steep and mineral-rich soils - from slate and quartzite to pebbles and phyllitic rock - give the wine freshness, structure and a fine, salty minerality.

The result is a characterful expression of the Rheingau that remains lean and balanced despite the warm 2022 vintage, with notes of white fruit, flint and a long finish. The wine is vinified traditionally and gently to preserve the clarity of the terroir.

The name "Terra Montosa" goes back to the Latin terra montuosa, which described the slopes of Rüdesheim as early as 1074 - a reference to the region's millennia-old winemaking tradition.