I cannot begin to praise the wines from the Alsace region enough. After a long, hectic day, I opened a bottle of Hugle & Fils Gentil “Hugel”. It is a lovely blend of the white grapes grown there: Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat, and Sylvaner, and it is like the warm, gentle hug you need after a trying day. Spiced pear and honey on the nose; fresh and crisp on the palate with a zinger of lemon zest and minerality. It’s light, it’s refreshing, and much like Lionel Richie and the Commodores, it’s ‘Easy.’ It would be so perfect with sushi, or any type of shellfish, but tonight, it’s just perfect company as I unwind from the day.

If you are not familiar with the Alsace region of France and their wines (and I was guilty of the same until just recently) you need to be. Let me repeat, you NEED to make yourself familiar with them. Some of the greatest jewels of the wine world are buried there, and you won’t have to pay a king’s ransom to enjoy them. Even if you’re not a white wine fan (and I have been a confirmed red drinker for YEARS), you will not be able to put your glass down.

Which reminds me…it’s time for me to pick up my glass again and enjoy…cheers!