Gewurztraminer Vendanges Tardives Hugel (Domaine) 1990

Lot presentation

Gewurztraminer Vendanges Tardives Hugel (Domaine) 1990

The wine

Gewürztraminer Vendanges Tardives wines are produced from overripened grapes, harvested much later than traditional grape harvests and only during the most prolific vintage years. It is the so-called noble rot that gives this wine its almost indefinite ageing potential. Because of its rarity this wine is the emblem of the Hugel family domaines. This is a real meditation wine, to be enjoyed with food or on its own at the end of a meal.

Hugel is a family operation that has been making wines since 1639; production is currently managed by the eleventh and twelfth generations, in the form of Jean-Philippe, Marc and Étienne, who endeavour to uphold the Hugel style developed by their ancestors. Their activities are divided between a wine merchant business and production in their own name, from the 26 hectare vineyard, located entirely in Riquewihr in the most prestigious crus and planted with traditional varieties in the following proportions: 40% Riesling, 40% Gewurztraminer, 15% (Tokay) Pinot Gris and 5% Pinot Noir. The oldest vines (around 60 years old) are from the family nursery. Hugel produces wine with rigorous respect for the environment: no fertilizers, very low yields, and green harvests at the end of July. The wine merchant activity is supplied solely by the purchase of grapes, from 115 hectares that are managed by growers under contract. All of the harvests are manual and will remain so. Hugel produces 110,000 cases of wine every year, 85% of which are exported. In order to preserve the wines' freshness and character, Hugel starts bottling in the spring. The Jubilee, VT and SGN cuvées are only produced in the best years, from the Domaine Viticole Hugel's Grands Crus vines. It is largely the Hugel family who have instigated the revival of this kind of wine. ssert wines in the world. Furthermore they have an almost unlimited longevity.