Famille Hugel

To understand the great wines of Alsace is first to understand how, between the Triassic and Jurassic, between the Vosges and Rhine lines, the beautiful mosaic of terroirs on which Riesling, Gewurztraminer and other grape varieties that have made the reputation of this vineyard have been patiently shaped.

You have to know how to take the time. ... Take the time to listen, to observe, before tasting. Take the time as this family knows how to do it, which has been producing wine in Riquewihr for 13 generations.

The Hugels have 29 hectares of vines, notably on two renowned grands crus, the Sporen and the Schoenenbourg, which have been managed without synthetic products for more than twenty years (the majority of the estate is managed organically); it is also a share of supplies of grapes selected and cultivated by partners under contract, which allow them to market their wines in nearly one hundred countries, notably one of their flagship wines, the "Gentil".

A fine success story, as we would say in English; except that the Hugels make a point of speaking French, and did so even when the region was swaying between the language of Molière and that of Goethe during the wars.

Here, you have understood, wine is a family affair. The patriarch, André, is never far from the cellars, which are located under 16th century buildings in the heart of the medieval town of Riquewihr and contain large oak barrels over a century old.

Notoriously, it is the originator of the late harvest in Alsace, the "Vendanges Tardives" and "Sélection de Grains Nobles". When they are produced in good years, these nectars are very emotional.

This is the strength of Hugel: to be able to produce a white wine as popular and unifying as the Gentil by hand, and to go for the "pixelation" of a Grand Cru by producing great Rieslings that stand the test of time. see more