History -  Philosophy - Vinification - Wines -  Addresses & Links

THE PHILOSOPHY
 

WHAT MAKES  "HUGEL" DIFFERENT ?


A Family business, fully self-financed, run by 5 members of the family, the 11th and 12th generations.

Owners of a 65-acre estate exclusively in the prime sites of Riquewihr, planted with noble grape varieties only (45% Gewurztraminer, 45% Riesling, 8% Pinot Gris, 2% Pinot Noir), vines up to 70 years old, originating from the family's own nursery.

No fertilisation is ever used; low yields (around two-thirds of Alsace average); extensive use of crop-thinning to ensure high quality.
Additional supplies for generic wines are bought-in as grapes only from about 300 acres, farmed by 350 growers under long-term contract.
Each individual wine is bottled as early as the spring following the vintage, to retain its full varietal character. The totality of each wine is bottled at the same time, to ensure consistency from the first bottle to the last.

Jubilee, Vendange Tardive and Sélection de Grains Nobles wines are produced only in excellent or great vintages, exclusively from Grand Cru vineyards on the Hugel estates in Riquewihr.

The Hugel family pioneered the resurrection of Alsace late-harvest wines, Vendange Tardive and Sélection de Grains Nobles, and drafted the law which now governs the production of these rare wines.
Hugel wines reflect the quality of the grapes they are made from, with no "make-up" from either oaking or sweetening. All Alsace wines are 100% varietal and bottled only in the region of production.
Hugel wines are systematically matured in bottle prior to release, from 6 months to 6 years depending on the potential of the wine, for an average of two and one-half years. Each bottle is carefully labelled immediately prior to shipment, never in advance.
Hugel wines are represented in over 100 countries world-wide and are frequently served by Heads of State, Governments, Royalty, Diplomats and International bodies. In Europe, virtually all restaurants awarded a 3-star rating by the Michelin Guide serve Hugel wines.

History -  Philosophy - Vinification - Wines -  Addresses & Links