Hugel
For over 370 years and with 13-family generations the Hugel family has unrivaled experience and knowledge of Alsace vineyards and winemaking. Without the work of the remarkable Hugel family, located in the picture-postcard fortified village of Riquewihr, the worldwide reputation of Alsace wine would not be the same. Over half Hugel's 30-hectares are in Grand Cru vineyards Sporen and Schoenenbourg, a special source of pride, planted to Riesling and Gewurztraminer, with small parcels of Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. Winemaking is transparent, so that fruit, soil and vintage are clearly conveyed in the glass. Handpicked grapes come to the winery in small tubs, are rigorously sorted then gravity-fed into the presses without pumping. After gentle pressing the must is decanted before a long, slow fermentation in temperature-controlled barrels or vats at 64 to 72°F. The wine is racked once, before slow natural clarification over the winter. "Hugel" wines are the quintessence of Alsace.
The Hugel website offers a wealth of information about Alsace wine, www.hugel.com. Hugel has pioneered much advancement in Alsace, including the early creation and classification of Grand Cru vineyards. Today, Hugel prefers not to use the Grand Cru designation, because the original boundaries and number of these vineyards have been expanded to include less-favored sites. House specialties include late harvest Vendange Tardive and Sélection de Grains Nobles wines, made with selected botrytis-affected grapes. Wines are released only when the family agrees they're ready; the focus is ultimate quality. A first-time taste of these wines is a revelation.
From The Wine Advocate "First of all, the name Hugel & Fils is passé, the new name is Famille Hugel. This underlines the fact that the domaine is family-owned since 1639, respectively 13 generations, and that there are currently three generations representing the Hugel "tribe," as Etienne Hugel calls his family: André Hugel and his sons Jean-Philippe, Etienne and Marc, nephew Jean-Philippe, together with the 13th generation, the cousins Jean-Frédéric, Marc-André and Christian. "We are on the move," says Etienne Hugel, one of the busy bees of the family that produces 100,000 cases per year, of which around 90% is exported to more than 100 countries worldwide.
Indeed the domaine has recently announced the first comprehensive changes since 1921 (when the Maggi-yellow color of the labels was introduced), starting the 1st of September. "Much more than just a change of name, the presentation and structure of our range of wines has been totally renovated," Etienne Hugel reports."
Hugel 'Cuvee Les Amours' Pinot Blanc 2017
$12.95 $14.93
Wine Enthusiast 90 “A yeasty touch still clings to the lemon and green-pear notes on the nose. The palate makes most of this textural element and
Hugel 'Classic' Pinot Gris 2016
$15.95 $20.80
Wine Spectator 90 Lithe and juicy, this well-balanced Pinot Gris is backed by sleek acidity that focuses the flavors of melon, pickled ginger, star fruit and
Hugel Gentil Alsace Blend 2018
$11.95 $16.00
Gentil shows pure, fresh aromas, very fruit-driven and floral, as well as expressive and flattering. On the palate, this dry wine has a lively, youthful
Hugel Gentil Alsace Blend 2017
Vinous 90 “Luminous pale straw-green. Delicious aromas and flavors of apple, nectarine, chamomile and gentle spices. Fruity, juicy and refined; harmonious acidity lifts the stone fruit
Hugel Classic Riesling 2017
Wine Enthusiast 91 A hint of spring blossom precedes clean citrus notes on the nose of this refreshing wine. The palate is light but concentrated, fruity
Hugel Gentil Alsace Blend 2016
Vinous 90 Fresh aromas of mirabelle, nectarine, tangerine, minty herbs and crushed stone. Quite dry, juicy and elegant, featuring stone fruit and mineral flavors sexed up
Hugel Classic Riesling 2016
Wine Spectator 91 “A sleek, minerally, light-bodied white, with lemon peel and petrol accents to the well-cut flavors of apricot, acacia blossom, sliced almond and pine
Hugel 'Cuvee Les Amours' Pinot Blanc 2016
Wine Enthusiast 89 “An appealing aroma of ripe pear fills the nose. The palate is similarly abundant in fruit yet ultimately feels clean, dry and slender.”
Hugel Gentil Alsace Blend 2015
Wine Enthusiast 89 "A light touch is conveyed by aromas of honeysuckle, while the off-dry palate is balanced by fresh, citric verve. This wine has a
Hugel 'Cuvee Les Amours' Pinot Blanc 2015
Vinous 90 A mainly Pinot Blanc nose of musk, white flowers, beeswax, pomaceous fruit and herbs (thyme, oregano, marjoram and sage). Showcases lovely juicy cut and
Hugel 'Classic' Pinot Gris 2015
Vinous 91 “Bright straw. Apple, guava and liquid minerals on the nose and palate. Finishes zingy and clean, with persistent pomaceous fruit notes complicated by hints
Hugel Gewurztraminer Classic 2015
Wine Advocate 89 “The 2015 Gewurztraminer Classic opens clear, fresh and spicy on the nose. The palate is pure and salty, pretty intense and provided with
Hugel Gentil Alsace Blend 2014
James Suckling 90 Pinot Gris: 23%, Pinot Blanc: 21%, Riesling: 20%, Sylvaner: 20%, Gewurztraminer: 14%, Muscat: 2% "Always a solid white. Full-bodied, fruity and crisp. Delicious
Hugel 'Cuvee Les Amours' Pinot Blanc 2014
Wine Enthusiast 90 "Crisp notes of freshly peeled pear mingle with a creamier aspect on the nose. The palate is a similarly appetizing and attractive mix
Hugel Classic Riesling 2014
Vinous Media 90 "Nectarine, green apple and medicinal herbs on the nose. Juicy, spicy and energetic in the mouth, showing lovely lift and cut to the
Hugel 'Classic' Pinot Gris 2014
James Suckling 92 "A steely pinot gris with lots of tangy fruit and spicy, dried-pineapple undertones. Full to medium body, a creamy texture and a fruity
Hugel Gewurztraminer Classic 2014
James Suckling 93 "Excellent dried-citrus, spice and dried-mango character. Full, powerful, focused and pinpointed. Drink now." ~J.S. "The spice of Alsace and one of Famille Hugel's signature
Hugel Pinot Gris Classic 2013
Vinous 90 ""Bright yellow. A note of smoky reduction cleared slowly to reveal musky citrus and ripe pear aromas. Very rich and ripe in the mouth,
Hugel 'Cuvee Les Amours' Pinot Blanc 2013
Vinous 88 "Tangerine, honeyed apricot and lavender on the superripe, spicy nose (thats the Auxerrois showing off its true colors). Rich and spicy in the mouth
Hugel Gentil Alsace Blend 2013
Food & Wine "High-acid whites are, of course, appealing in warm weather. But many of them, specifically those from cool climates, are ideal with winter dishes.
Hugel Estate Riesling 2013
Wine Spectator 90 "A fresh, harmonious white, with a floral overtone and a crowd-pleasing mix of nectarine, chalky mineral, orange blossom and candied pink grapefruit zest.
Hugel 'Cuvee Les Amours' Pinot Blanc 2012
"It is the most approachable wine of Alsace and also the most consistent year in year out. Not far in style from an unoaked Chardonnay
Hugel Pinot Gris Classic 2011
Wine Spectator 89 "A firm backbone of acidity enlivens the flavors of forest floor, dried apricot, papaya, wax, anise and ginger in this aromatic white. Lightly
Hugel Pinot Gris Classic 2007
Robert Parker 91 "Hugels 2007 Pinot Gris smells of smoked meat and sauteed mushrooms, ripe peach and pungent herbs. It displays a striking combination of creaminess
Hugel 'Cuvee Les Amours' Pinot Blanc 2005
"There is a love story of sorts behind this wine produced by the famous Hugel family of France's Alsace region: Though the family has made
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