Hugel Classic Riesling

Sweetness: Dry

Grapes: Riesling

Grape info: Capable of producing some of the world’s greatest wines, Riesling can be variously described as, floral, fruity, mineral and spicey. Highly aromatic with a stridulating acidity it can be capable of lengthy aging periods where it increases in complexity.

About: A family-owned estate since 1639, Hugel & Fils is now run by 12th generation winemakers in the picturesque town of Riquewihr. The estate encompasses 30 hectares of well sited vineyards, mostly classed as Grand Cru with a further 110 hectares farmed under contract.

After pressing, the must is decanted for a few hours, then fermented in temperature-controlled vats (at 18°C to 24°C). The wine is racked just once, before natural clarification during the course of the winter. The following spring, the wine is lightly filtered just before bottling.

Tasting note: Intense, focussed and floral, opening with hints of lily of the valley, elderflower and lively citrus zest. With age it takes on a mineral, flinty quality. The palate is vital and energetic, showing notes of lemon, lime and yuzu zest with an incisive acidity.

Character: Lime, elderflower, yuzu.