The Wine of Alsace
Wines from Alsace – are they more German or more French? Well, they’re a little of both, owing not the least to its geographical location on France’s eastern border and on the west bank of the upper Rhine adjacent to Germany. Vines have been cultivated in Alsace for more than 2,000 years, thanks to the nearby Rhine river, and was an important wine producing region in the Germanic Holy Roman Empire. The Thirty Years War (1618 – 1648), the French Revolution (1789), the Napoleonic Wars and the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 caused the steady decline of the Alsace wine region. In fact, over the past few centuries several Franco-German conflicts have managed to relocate the border, making Alsace variously German then French. Thus, it’s no wonder the wines reflect so much of both countries.
Justly famous for its white wines, grape varieties here include: Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Gris, and Sylvaner. The terroir is varied, with mostly chalky soils as well as a heavier clay soil that nurtures Gewurztraminer best.
Join us as we talk with Etienne Hugel, whose family ties to the vineyards of Alsace extends back to 1639. We’ll hear a bit of history, vineyard and winemaking practices, and Etienne’s “noble mission” to continue to produce some of the world’s finest white wines.
For more information on the wines of Hugel & Fils: www.hugel.com/
Sponsor: 7th Annual Celebration of Food and Wine : www.balboabayclub.com
Click Below to Play the Show:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
(1:17:12 min 55MB)
Just gone through your blog and found it wonderful. It was nice going through your blog. Keep on posting.
Love the shows about Riesling. I listen to them over and over again. Keep them coming.
Again as always, great show. Etienne Hugel and his family have always delivered quality products. Etienne is knowledgeable, well spoken and witty. He should be the poster child for what PR is all about.
We sell Hugel & Fils wines at our store. I think it is that unique mineral quality and dryness that keeps people coming back. It’s a very easy sell.
Great show! Alsace wines have always been one of my favorite food wines, and the discussion was excellent. Keep up the great work, guys!
I’ve been listening to your podcasts every evening for the past few days & love them all, but especially enjoyed this one! I play them as I make dinner, and it kind of feels like you’re all chatting around my kitchen table! I’ll see you tomorrow evening!
– Kendall Harris, Wine2Three, Vancouver, BC