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The first traces of the Hugel family in Alsace can be traced back to the XVth century. Some two centuries later, Hans Ulrich Hugel settled in Riquewihr, which had been devastated by the terrible Thirty Years War. In 1639 he was made a freeman of the city and soon took charge of the very powerful Corporation of Winegrowers. In 1672 his son built a fine house in the Rue des Cordiers, and over the doorway was carved the family crest which was the origin of the company’s logo still used today.

There’s nothing quite like grüner veltliner. Its signature is a thin vein of acidity that provides a delightfully explosive mouthfeel. Its major fruit flavours are green fruits and citrus and its herbaceous character gives it notes of white pepper. This traditional example of grüner veltliner from Austria has a medium body and crisp acidity, plenty of juicy green apple flavour and a lightly spicy finish. If you’re not familiar with the varietal, it’s well worth trying as a refreshing alternative to riesling. Chosen for their specific microclimate and meagre primary rock soils, the vineyard sites were carefully hand-picked from steeply terraced vineyards throughout the Wachau valley. It exhibits a very typical and consistent style of Grüner Veltliner from Wachau characterized by fresh fruit and a pronounced minerality. Bright yellow-green in colour, this wine offers distinctive aromas of green apple, white pepper, hints of mango, balanced with delicate herbal notes. This Federspiel is a traditional example of Grüner Veltliner with its medium-body crisp acidity, juicy fruits and white spice on the finish.

Grown by a co-op of 400 growers over 2400 acres of ground in Salerno, this wine is a beautiful expression of Italian culture. The corporation of these farmers, both big and small, make this wine an affordable showcase of their combined centuries of winemaking expertise.

After aging, the wine shows a pale straw colour with gentle golden hues. Aromas of dried herbs, white flowers and preserved citrus lead to a textured palate of grapefruit pith, lime and rosemary. The acidity has softened with age, revealing a balanced, mineral finish that is drinking beautifully now.

Forbes & Forbes Single Vineyard Riesling captures classic Eden Valley character from a high-altitude site around Springton, on ancient, rocky soils that give both intensity and line. Vines are hand picked at genuine flavour ripeness rather than searing austerity, then whole-bunch pressed and cool fermented in stainless steel to preserve citrus, florals and mineral detail. The result is a Riesling that typically shows lime, lemon and green apple over crushed stone, with some vintages layering in subtle tropical notes and, with age, toast and marmalade complexity, all carried on a long, balanced palate of lively acidity and gentle texture. Critics describe Forbes & Forbes as a “secret worth discovering” for approachable, great-value Eden Valley Riesling, and museum releases demonstrate just how well this single-vineyard style can develop in bottle over a decade or more.