Pinot Gris Classic
⏳ Drinking Window
2023 - 2028
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted pork loin, wild mushroom risotto, terrines and pâtés
✨ Technical Specifications
Famille Hugel's Pinot Gris Classic is a superb expression of a grape with a colorful history in Alsace. Locally, legend attributes the introduction of this variety to Baron Lazare de Schwendi, who supposedly brought vines back from the Hungarian town of Tokaj after his campaigns in the 16th century, leading to its historical, though now forbidden, moniker Tokay d'Alsace. Today, we know it is a color mutation of Pinot Noir originating from Burgundy. Hugel's Classic range showcases the pure, unadorned character of the grape, sourced from clay and limestone vineyards around Riquewihr. The wine is fermented in temperature-controlled vats and aged in the family's historic, large oak foudres, resulting in a Pinot Gris that strikes a perfect balance between rich, smoky complexity and vibrant, refreshing acidity. It represents the quintessential dry-yet-fleshy style that has made Alsatian Pinot Gris a favorite of sommeliers worldwide.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1639 by Hans Ulrich Hugel in the fortified medieval village of Riquewihr, Famille Hugel represents one of the world's most enduring wine dynasties, spanning thirteen consecutive generations. The domaine oversees approximately 30 hectares of estate vineyards—largely concentrated in premier climats including the famed Grand Cru Schoenenbourg and Sporen—supplemented by contractual partnerships across Alsace. Sheltered by the Vosges Mountains in one of France’s driest meso-climates, the steep, south-facing parcels benefit from complex geological mosaics of Triassic limestone, marl, and sandstone. Viticulture follows sustainable lutte raisonnée principles with manual harvesting. Winemaking favors classical restraint: pneumatic pressing, spontaneous fermentation via indigenous yeasts, and élevage in century-old neutral oak foudres, devoid of cosmetic wood influence or chaptalization. Famille Hugel famously pioneered the modern codification of Alsace late-harvest wines; its benchmark portfolio is headlined by the dry, structured Grossi Laüe single-terroir bottlings alongside historically revered Vendange Tardive and botrytized Sélection de Grains Nobles cuvées.
🍇 Grapes
Pinot Gris
🍷 ABV
13% - 14%