Strasbourg Holiday Market with Famille Hugel Wines
Strasbourg meets NYC as the Marché de Noël de Strasbourg-Alsace, Europe’s oldest Christmas market from 1570, brings the holiday magic to Bowling Green Park.
The market in Strasbourg was named “World’s Best Christmas Market” by CNN in 2018 with over 300 chalets and 2 million visitors a year. Luckily, in the true Christmas spirit, a beautiful piece of the market brimming with traditional holiday delights from Alsace is being shared with us right here in the city.
Relief from the chill could be found with warm and fruity mulled wine from the Famille Hugel wines chalet in a section of the market with seating and a buzzing atmosphere of chattering and holiday cheer.
I explored the market’s traditional wooden chalets with decorations and light displays imported from Strasbroug through a scavenger hunt list of items to find, ranging from traditional artisanal crafts such as pottery and intricate hand-made ornaments, to Alsatian Christmas food specialties such as jams, cookies and chocolates, all making exquisitely unique presents for family and friends. For the kids (or adults, I know you want to) Saint Nick is ready for pictures and chats in the central chalet of the market!
The evening at the market closed with Jean-Frédéric Hugel presenting a wine tasting of the Famille Hugel’s traditional, high-quality Alsatian wines. The vineyards in Alsace are currently managed by the 12th and 13th generations of the Hugel family in an unbroken lineage, with more than half of their hectares classified as Grand Cru. Hugel wines are well-known for their yellow labels and how the uniquely dry climate in Alsace produces a dry, slow-ripening grape that compliments most Western and Asian cuisines, making an ideal pairing for meals in the festive season.
Riesling classic known for its elegance and structure, Pinot Gris Classic with power and texture, rich but with dry expression, Gewürztraminer Classic made with a signature grape variety of Alsace, floral and fruity notes, and finally the Gewurtz. Vendange Tardive sweet wine. Accompanied by freshly made tarte flambée.
Don’t miss out on sharing in Europe’s oldest Christmas traditions at the Strasbourg Holiday Market open daily from 11am-9pm up to December 22 at Bowling Green Park, Broadway & Whitehall St, NY 10004.
