For over 60 years Jean Frederic Hugel was one of his native region’s greatest champions.
After the Second World War Hugel studied at both Montpellier and Bordeaux before returning home.
He ran the family wine business – founded around 1639 – with his two brothers, Georges and André, from 1948 until 1997, when his nephews Jean Philippe, Marc and Etienne took over daily management of the company.
Hugel wrote what eventually became legislation regulating the production of Alsace wines. These were finally recognized officially in 1984 and have become some of the strictest of all French wine appellation laws.
Affectionately known throughout the wine community as ‘Johnny’, he was outspoken, and firm in his beliefs. ‘It is sad to see French growers are following this trend,’ he once said of his fellow winemakers’ use of oak and its by-products. ‘They are timber merchants who forget to be winegrowers.’
But he was no ascetic – one of his best-known pronouncements was, ‘People who like wine are nicer people than those who do not like wine.’
Paul Symington of Symington Family Estates said, ‘In the wine trade around the world, very few reach the level of affection and respect that Johnny earned from all over his lifetime.’
Alsace expert Tom Stevenson said, ‘Johnny Hugel was the single most important person in the development of Alsace wine industry throughout the 20th century.’
Hugel is survived by his wife Simone, who was alongside him at his Riquewihr home, their daughters Dominique and Judith, and four grandchildren: Sylvie, Jean, Etienne, and Michel.
Source: ‘Johnny’ Hugel dies by David Furer on Decanter.com
On the 5th of June 2009, Panos Kakaviatos announces that Hermitage may lose famous signs as part of environmental bill on Decanter.com
The advertising signs that adorn the famous Hermitage slope may be removed as part of a new environmental heritage bill proposed by French authorities.
The signs, the most prominent of which advertise the Jaboulet and Chapoutier vineyards, have become an iconic part of the steep hillside.
However, as part of the move to classify the Hermitage hill, which overlooks the town of Tain l’Hermitage, as an environmental heritage site, the signs are set to be taken down.
The mayor of Tain l’Hermitage, Gilbert Bouchet, would like to see the signs removed. According to Veronique Chalencon, who has worked on the project, they ‘disturb the natural landscape’.
However, Michel Chapoutier, current president of the Hermitage wine growers union, opposes any plans to remove the signs.
‘Why take down the signs on the walls? They have been there for a long time on private property,’ Ingrid Delubac, an assistant for Chapoutier, told decanter.com
Winemakers are also concerned that classification could complicate vineyard work – including building or repair of terrace supporting walls.
‘It may bring more bureaucracy,’ Delubac added.
A revised environmental project is currently being drafted to take into account the views from the wine growers union.
‘We have had several meetings to reassure [winemakers],’ said Chalencon.
The bill will be examined later this year by a commission in Paris.
Picture from www.wineanorak.com
