The 2000 Hugel Gewurztraminer Vendange Tardive from Hugel & Fils, in the Alsace region of eastern France, scored 19 Dionysian points out of 20. It has just 12% alcohol and at 20 years old, it was sublime. The Venange Tardive are the hand-picked late harvest grapes producing a subtle sweetness to the wine. When that’s on the label, the cost goes up to nearly $50, and the style is very different than a bone dry Gewurztraminer.
Twenty-year-old whites are rare, and the bottled was shared with a few Dionysian members who would enjoy the special treat.
Sharing your best older wines with friends. In my book, Wine for Intellectuals, I discuss cellaring wines. Look it up on Amazon. In Vino Veritas.
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