Alsace wine producer: Cave Vinicole Hunawihr

The cooperatives are very important for the wine business in Alsace. In the region, there are 8 000 growers but "only" 1 300 producers. The balance, who often have just a few hectares, sell their grapes to the local cooperative.

The cooperatives were instrumental in the restructuring of the wine business after World War II. At that that time, 130 000 young men were either lost (40 000) in or recovering from the service in Wehrmacht, many families has lost all their belongings. Few families had the possibility to re-invest in equipment.

Cave Vinicole Hunawihr was formed in 1952 and has 120 members. In 2005, the respected journal Revue du Vin de France ranked CV Hunawihr as no 3 of alla cooperatives in the country on a list headed by la Chablisienne.

Since the Napoleon days, each child has equal right to inherit. In both Burgundy and Alsace this has led to a severe fragmentation of the vineyards. Typically, a family estate farms some 50 parcels. In such a situation, serious cooperatives such as CV Hunawihr has, and takes, the chance to produce large quantities of terroir wines from several Grands Crus and Lieux-dits in many communes.

Cave Vinicole Hunawihr offers wines that are typical and well made, at attractive prices. CV Hunawihr brings out all the typical characteristics of the terroirs but of course, in comparison with the top estate producers, to a lesser extent. The concentration of the wines is very good considering the huge quantities and the inevitable variations in grape quality.

In addition, the tasting room is open daily 8–12 and 14–18 (opening 9.30 in week-ends).

Latest visit: 2012

Facts

- 48, Route de Ribeauvillé +33 (0)389 73 61 67
+33 (0)389 73 33 95 (fax)
info@cave-hunawihr.com
Riesling Vieilles Vignes €7.15
Riesling Rosacker €10.10
Well made typical wines. Welcoming but varying. Grands Crus: Froehn, Schoenenbourg, Rosacker, Osterberg, Sporen
Lieux-dits: Muhlforst

Representative wines 2012

2009 Pinot Blanc Cuvée Prestige Complex aroma with minerals, melon, peach and some green herbs. The taste has very good grip, ideal balance and the grapefruit character of clayey terroir rich in lime. Perfect with food and much, much better than the regular Pinot Blanc Réserve. Price: €6.55. 2009 Riesling Vieilles Vignes Classic aroma of honey and petroleum and a touch volatile acidity. The taste is medium-bodied, with the good structure, some concentration and a fresh finish. A good value but I miss the Riesling Muehlforst. Price: €7.15. 2010 Riesling Grand Cru Rosacker Very fine and focused aroma of citrus, mature fruit and chalk. Well built, quite dense and fruity taste with fine, lingering acidity and the typical citrus character of Rosacker. Needs a lot of time to show its' full potential. Price: €10.85. 2010 Pinot Gris Muehlforst Pure, restrained fresh aroma of smoke, coffee, lilac and apricots. Pure, long, fresh taste with very good, sandy structure and a firm acidity. Who could guess that this wine has 22 grams per liter residual sugar? A wine that shows what a superb terroir Muehlforst is! Price: €10.10.