4DEC02 Hugel “Cuvée les Amours” PINOT BLANC, Alsace, France 2022
4 and 6 bottle levels $23 (member price $20)
100% Pinot Blanc 12.5% ABV
The Hugel family has been producing wines since 1639 and are on their 13th generation of ownership in the heart of Alsace. This area in France is between Paris and Stuttgart, and has seen the border change a number of times throughout the centuries, resulting in a culture that is kinda French and kinda German. Equally important, Alsace is in the rain shadow of the Vosges Mountains, creating a warmer climate than that of Burgundy. In 1970, an English noblewoman was dining with George Hugel and kept remarking how lovely the wine tasted, and suggested they include a fantasy name of The Lovers Blend (“Cuvée les Amours”) on the bottle. Aged in stainless steel. Green apple, ripe peach, yellow plum, grass, minerality. HOLIDAY DINNER
Food Pairing Suggestions:
This Pinot Blanc was made to pair with regional dishes like caramelized onion Tarte flambée, choucroute, quiche Lorraine, grilled pork smothered in a mustardy cream sauce with herbed spaetzle and Tartiflette (baked cheese and potato). This delightful white also complements exotic dishes such as chicken tikka, pad thai noodles, dim sum, Thai style crab salad, tandoori chicken, classic ceviche, pork belly flatbread and citrusy fish tacos. Or simply savor this blend with a vegetable frittata, cold salads topped with cubed ham and tangy soft cheeses or a sliver of mature goat cheese and apple slices.