Gentil 2017
Famille Hugel
A kaleidoscope of grapiness, produced exclusively from hand harvested grapes in predominantly clay and limestone vineyards, from a dozen of the most favored localities in and around Riquewihr. Gentil “Hugel” allies the suave, spicy flavor of Gewurztraminer, the body of Pinot Gris, the finesse of Riesling, the grapiness of Muscat and the refreshing character of both Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner.
Terroir: The grapes used to produce Hugels “Classic” wines come exclusively from estate owned vineyards or from growers under long term contract surrounding the village of Riquewihr.
Vinification: Hugel Gentil is a traditional Alsace blend of varying amounts of Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Muscat and Sylvaner. Fermentation takes place in temperature controlled vats followed by natural clarification in neutral vessels over the winter. The wine is lightly fined and gently filtered prior to bottling in the spring.
Beginning with the 2009 vintage, Gentil is bottled exclusively with the DIAM closure to avoid any risk of cork taint.
From The Wine Advocate “You start into the Hugel world with the Gentil Hugel, a dry white assemblage of all noble Alsatian grape varieties except of Pinot Noir. The wine “revives an ancient Alsace tradition whereby a wine assembled from a range of noble grapes was called ‘Gentil.'” The Hugels communicate and further: “Perfectly dry, our Gentil brings together the elegance of Riesling, the richness of Pinot Gris, the fruit-driven aromas of Gewurztraminer and Muscat, and the freshness of Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner.”
Additional Information
“Gentil has become a joyous, convivial wine whose arrival the Hugel family always awaits with impatience in the spring following each vintage. Gentil shows pure, fresh aromas, very fruit-driven and floral, as well as expressive and flattering. On the palate, this dry wine has a lively, youthful fresh character that is refreshing, with a pleasant, scented finish. Gentil is a perfect wine to sip with friends or to enjoy with simple everyday meals. Gentil is best enjoyed chilled with saltwater and freshwater fish, shellfish, starters and hors d’oeuvres.” -Etienne Hugel
Technical Details
- Appellation: Alsace
- Winemaker: Marc Hugel
- Sustainability: Sustainable Practices
- Soil: Clay, Limestone
- Avg Vine Age: 25 years
- Yield: 65 hl/ha
- Alcohol: 13%
- Ttl Acidity: 6.03 g/l
- Residual Sugar: 4.5 g/l
- Pack Size: 12/750ml, 3/1.5L
- Varietals: 50% Sylvaner & Pinot Blanc, 15% Gewurztraminer, 22% Pinot Gris, 7% Riesling, 6% Muscat
Recent Press
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Glamour Author: Hannah Huber
Date: Thursday, November 21, 201915 Outstanding Thanksgiving Wines for $15 or Less -- "Whites like this Gentil are the foolproof pick to accompany any Thanksgiving menu. The versatile blend stands up to anything from a rosemary-lemon-brined turkey to a shellfish starter. “Gentil shows pure, fresh aromas, very fruit-driven and floral, as well as expressive and flattering,” says the Hugel family. This is a great wine to pair with hors d'oeuvres before the main event!" -
Chowhound Author: Pamela Vachon
Date: Thursday, November 21, 20199 Grocery Store Wines Worth Entertaining With -- "If your entire family can agree on something this holiday season, it is likely this white blend from France’s sunniest appellation, Alsace. The crisp, mineral finish will appeal to those whose ersatz wine sensibility makes them prefer only “bone dry” cuvees, but the rich, yellow fruits and floral characteristics from the blend of gewurztraminer, pinot gris, riesling, and muscat will appeal to your other, more “normal” family members.
And then there’s fun, or at least, distraction to be had by seeing if anyone knows how to spell gewurztraminer. Try it with another easy crowd-pleaser such as this Roasted Rosemary and Lemon Chicken." -
Score: 89 Points
Wine Enthusiast Author: Anne Krebiehl
Date: Monday, April 1, 2019"A subtle nose presents hints of lemon while the palate is fresh and light. This wine is taut, bright and almost bouncy with lemon zestiness. It's easy but very refreshing." -
Your Tango Date: Saturday, March 9, 2019 11 Best Low-Sugar Wines (To Enjoy The Buzz Without The Guilt) -- "About 3 grams of sugar per liter, this wine is a kaleidoscope of grapiness, produced exclusively from hand harvested grapes in predominantly clay and limestone vineyards, from a dozen of the most favored localities in and around Riquewihr. Gentil “Hugel” allies the suave, spicy flavor of Gewurztraminer, the body of Pinot Gris, the finesse of Riesling, the grapiness of Muscat, and the refreshing character of both Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner." -
Score: 90 Points
Vinous Author: Ian D'Agata
Date: Friday, January 18, 2019"Luminous pale straw-green. Delicious aromas and flavors of apple, nectarine, chamomile and gentle spices. Fruity, juicy and refined; harmonious acidity lifts the stone fruit and mineral nuances. A very complex blend of 40% Sylvaner, plus mostly Pinot Blanc Auxerrois, Riesling, and Pinot Gris, and a little Gewürztraminer, Muscat Ottonel and Muscat d’Alsace." -
Score: 87 Points
Wine Spectator Author: Alison Napjus
Date: Saturday, December 15, 2018"Fresh and floral, this light-bodied white shows a subtle streak of fresh earth underscoring flavors of orange sorbet, verbena, chalk and melon. Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner. Drink now." -
Score: 90 Points
JamesSuckling.com Author: James Suckling
Date: Tuesday, May 1, 2018"A joyful dry white that's brimming with fruit aromas, from pears to lychee to flowers. A medium body with a very attractive balance of juicy fruit and fresh acidity. A properly dry finish. Drink now or in 2019 and 2020."
