Gentil Hugel 2022

Thanks to Vinum Menorca, this week we recommend a dry French white wine from the Alsace Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC). Gentil Hugel 2022 is a blend of several noble grape varieties (mainly Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Muscat, and Sylvaner), offering a harmonious, fresh, and versatile wine. It shows the balance and aromatic character typical of the region, making it an excellent introduction to Alsace wines.

Tasting notes

Appearance: Pale yellow with greenish highlights, clean and bright. Shows youth and freshness.

Nose: Aromatic and expressive, with a prominent floral profile. Notes of white flowers (acacia, jasmine), stone fruits such as peach and apricot, and fresh citrus touches. There is also a subtle spicy background and a light mineral hint, typical of Alsace soils.

Palate: Smooth and fresh entry. Balanced acidity brings liveliness. Light to medium body with an elegant, silky texture. Refreshing finish, with fruity and floral persistence.

Pairing

Perfect as an aperitif or with light dishes such as seafood, white fish, salads, sushi, Asian cuisine, or soft cheeses. Also pairs very well with spiced dishes that are not overly hot.

Perfect match with oysters or cockles served naturally, garlic clams, grilled langoustines and Ciutadella prawns, fried sea anemones, or steamed cockles, as well as Mahón or rock mussels with mahonnaise.

Baked, grilled, or garlic-fried fish such as John Dory, monkfish, scorpionfish, rock mullet, hake, or grouper, among others.

Salads such as tuna belly with oxheart tomatoes, red onion, and Menorca capers, or burrata with rocket, tomato, and pesto, as well as Montserrat tomatoes with L’Escala anchovies and aged Binigarba cheese.

Pairs wonderfully with soft French cheeses such as Camembert de Normandie, Brie de Meaux, Neufchatel, Brillat-Savarin, Munster, or Vacherin Mont-d’Or.

Also excellent with exotic dishes like mild chicken curry, chicken tagine with preserved lemon and olives, Senegalese Yassa chicken, red prawns with Japanese curry, or even eggplant moussaka with minced lamb.