Hugel Riesling 2005 Alsace - Cambridge Wine Merchants

Cambridge is unseasonably warm this Easter weekend; the hot, dry air and long shadows of the evening are more remiscent of late summer than early spring.

However, it is indeed spring and the short season for British asparagus has already started.

This weekend's in-store tasting at Cambridge Wine Merchants was a Hugel Riesling from Alsace which the company's weekly email suggested matching with asparagus.

Hugel, founded in 1639 by a Swiss immigrant to the area, is based in the pretty village of Riquewhir at the southern end of the Alsace AOC region where the wines tend to be riper and fuller.

The winery holds slightly over 25 hectares of its own vineyards but also operates a négociant business, which sources additional grapes under long-term contract contract from various growers.

A golden-green in the glass with peachy-apple aromas, the wine is lively, discreetly fruity with a mineral touch and thirst-quenching.

It feels as well made as you would expect, with good pineappley acidity; with some complex fruit sweetness, it feels sensuous and fleshy with a good finish.

Hugel Riesling 2005, £14.99 from Cambridge Wine Merchants.

Links

Cambridge Wine Merchants - http://www.cambridgewine.com/

Hugel - http://www.hugel.com/flash.html