Hugel Classic Gewürztraminer 2018

In the glass, the 2018 Hugel Classic Gewürztraminer shows a rich golden straw hue. Aromatically it is highly perfumed: expect floral tones (rose, jasmine), exotic fruit-notes such as lychee, ripe peach or apricot, plus subtle spice (ginger, perhaps a hint of nutmeg) and tropical fruit undertones. On the palate the wine is medium-bodied, lush, with a slightly oily texture but carried by a crisp freshness that prevents it from being cloying. There’s sweetness perceptible, though balanced by acidity and structure; flavours of candied peach, lychee, rose petal, and spice linger into a generous finish. Over time the aromatics deepen, spice becomes more integrated, and fruit shows more complexity.

This Gewürztraminer 2018 is luscious and aromatic, making it a stellar partner for foods with texture, perfume, or spice. It shines with spicy Asian cuisine—Thai curries, dishes with ginger or lemongrass—as its sweetness and fragrance soothe heat. Smoked salmon or trout plays beautifully against its floral and fruity profile. Strong, pungent cheeses like Munster or Roquefort provide contrast; the wine’s sweetness cuts through richness. Rich hors d’oeuvres—foie gras, pâtés, fruit compotes—also work well. Even desserts with stone fruit or exotic fruit notes (lychee, mango) will be enhanced, especially when the wine’s aromas mirror or echo the dish. Serve slightly chilled so aromas open up: around 11-12 °C (≈ 52-54 °F) feels ideal.

Hugel & Fils is a centuries-old Alsatian wine house based in Riquewihr, Alsace, France. The family has been making wine since 1639, passing down vineyard and cellar tradition through many generations. Today they own vineyards and also work with contracted growers. Their holdings include prime sites around Riquewihr, and they specialize in the “noble” white grape varieties of Alsace. The Hugel philosophy emphasizes expressive, clean, varietal wines—typically dry, aromatic whites with precise viticulture, low intervention, and long-standing respect for tradition.

The “Classic” line (to which this Gewürztraminer belongs) is Hugel’s entry-level dry range (relative to their Tradition, Jubilée, or Vendanges Tardives tiers), but made with care: vines of mature age in good soils, attention to climatic variation, and patience in harvest. In 2018, the vintage was remarkable in Alsace: after a late budbreak and some early season challenges, warm, favorable conditions pushed the vines into a long ripening period. The result is ripeness married with retention of aromatics. Hugel’s 2018 Gewürztraminer Classic, with 32-year-old vines, captures that vintage’s generosity plus the region’s typical cool night influence, bringing both perfume and balance. It is dry but intensely aromatic, showing Gewürztraminer at its expressive best. Specifications include ~13.7 % alcohol by volume, residual sugar of ~14.4 g/L, acidity around 4.15 g/L, pH ~3.47.