One of the world's most cherished wines, founder Hans Ulrich Hugel was chairman of the Riquewihr Corporation of Winegrowers during the 1640s. The Hugel estate vineyards have remained in Riquewihr ever since. Unique mesoclimes yield a distinctive style of Pinot Gris, richly flavoured yet charmingly dry, a true gastronomer's delight which calls for cuisine. Hugel make the world's most satisfying Pinot Gris, the wine of choice to accompany fine faire, dover sole almondine or a creamy sauced lobster, pheasant terrines and foie gras.
Hugel sources Pinot Gris from the finest growers in Alsace, to be vinified around a backbone of estate grown fruit. Grapes are hand picked off vines, twenty five years of age, planted to clay and limestone soils on steeply sloped vineyards, within a dozen of the finer precincts around Riquewihr. Bunches are gathered in small tubs and treated to a gravity filled press, retaining the pristine qualities of grapes. Juices are decanted for a few hours before fermentation in temperature controlled barrels or vats at 18C to 24C. Components are racked upon completion and cold settled throughout winter for natural clarification. Batches are lightly filitered in the spring, bottled and sent to the Hugel cellars for maturation.
Intense lemon yellow hue. Alluring nose of orange and acacia, honey and apricots, almond and greengage, lightly smoked brioche. Perfectly dry palate offering an abundance of soft fleshy fruit flavours. Juicy, full bodied, a long lingering, textural finish. Drinking magnificently immediately upon release, Hugel matches well to richly sauced white recipes, veal and champignon or crayfish mornay.
