wine dessert
reserve
Hugel Riesling Vendange Tardive
Alsace, France
About this product
Hugel's Vendange Tardive Riesling is a benchmark for Alsatian late-harvest wines. Made from overripe, sometimes botrytised Riesling grapes, it delivers extraordinary concentration and sweetness balanced by Riesling's crystalline acidity. Hugel was instrumental in defining VT regulations in 1976; their VT remains the reference expression. Can age 20-40 years.
The deductive profile Library
nosehoney, botrytis spice, apricot jam, orange marmalade, petrol, ginger
palateluscious but balanced acidity, long honeyed mineral finish
signatureVT sweetness balanced by Riesling's electric acidity — never cloying
Service
foodfoie gras, strong cheese, fruit tarts, alone
glasswaredessert wine glass
temperature8-10C
Open The Library to see this section in full.
Open The LibraryTasting profile
honey, botrytis spice, apricot jam, orange marmalade, petrol, ginger
Not yet carried in CA-BC
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Pairings
complement
meat_poultry
VT Riesling and foie gras is an Alsatian classic; the wine's late-harvest concentration bridges the foie gras's fat while its acidity prevents the pairing from becoming cloying; apricot gelée bridges the VT's stone fruit
classic
starter
complement
dessert_pastry
VT Riesling's dried apricot character resonates directly with baked apricot; the lemon cream's acidity bridges the wine's mineral character while preventing the combination from becoming cloying
classic
dessert
complement
food
Hugel VT Riesling and kugelhopf are Alsace's festive classics; the kirsch in the cake bridges the late harvest sweetness
classic
dessert
complement
charcuterie_cured
The classic late-harvest Riesling and foie gras pairing. Hugel VT's luscious sweetness balanced by Riesling acidity matches foie gras perfectly — the gingerbread mirrors the wine's honey-spice notes.
classic
starter
complement
dessert_pastry
Bredele's spiced Christmas cookie character and VT Riesling's honey-orange blossom create an Alsatian Christmas table tradition; the anise bridges the wine's mineral while cinnamon amplifies the warm spice
classic
celebration
bridge
cheese
Hugel VT Riesling's late-harvest sweetness bridges the Roquefort salt and the honey; sweet-salt pairing at its best
classic
cheese
contrast
charcuterie_cheese
VT Riesling's honey-apricot sweetness balances Fourme d'Ambert's mild blue saltiness; the walnut bridges the wine's mineral and the cheese's nuttiness; a French take on the Sauternes-Roquefort dynamic
established
cheese