| Region of production: | Haut-Rhin |
| Winery Location: | Riquewihr |
| Year Established: | 1639 |
| Average Total Production: | 1.320,000 bottles |
| Vineyard Holdings: | 30 ha |
Notable vineyards
- Grand Cru Sporen
- Grand Cru Schoenenbourg
Summary
The Hugel family has been producing wine in Alsace for over 200 years and is known for its pioneering role in the INAO’s 1984 recognition of Vendange Tardive and Sélection des Grains Nobles wines. Today they produce wine from their own vineyards as well as operate as a négociant business, sourcing grapes under contract with growers. The domaine chooses not to use the grand cru designation because the number of vineyards has been expanded to what they feel include less-favored sites. Instead, they produce wines in three tiers of quality: Varietal wines occupy the base tier, “Tradition” the middle, and “Jubilée” the top-quality tier. Wines of particular excellence appear under the “Hommage à Jean Hugel” banner. Vendange Tardive and Sélection des Grains Nobles cuvées are only produced in great vintages.
Top Wines/Vineyards
- Riesling “Jubilée”
- Pinot Gris “Jubilée”
- Gewurztraminer “Jubilée”
- Riesling “Hommage à Jean Hugel”
- Pinot Gris “Hommage à Jean Hugel”
- Gewurztraminer “Hommage à Jean Hugel”
- Riesling VT
- Riesling SGN
- Pinot Gris VT
- Pinot Gris SGN
- Gewurztraminer VT
- Gewurztraminer SGN
Brief Description of Style / Vinification Techniques
Grapes are hand-harvested and sorted at the winery, then gravity-fed into the presses without pumping. After pressing, the must is decanted before a long, slow fermentation in temperature-controlled barrels or tanks. The wine is racked once, before a slow and natural clarification over the winter. After bottling, it is cellared for at least two years on average. In certain vintages, if the wines are judged to be insufficiently distinguished, the wines are partly or wholly sold off in bulk to other growers.
Producer Website: http://www.hugel.com/