Of all the wine districts in Slovenia, few are held in such high regard as Goriška Brda.

Goriška Brda (or Brda for short) is a district in Slovenia’s Primorska region. Brda is basically an extension of Italy’s Collio DOCG. It actually could be considered the other way around, as Goriška Brda has almost three times the vineyard area of Collio. It’s not uncommon for producers to have vineyards on both sides of the border.

Goriška Brda: The Slovenian Wine Region

Goriška Brda is a beautiful, soulful region full of terraced vineyards, hilltop villages, and panoramic views of the Alps. There is no geographical border with Italy and driving through the area, it’s common to criss-cross the political border several times on just one road. It’s no surprise that there’s a strong Italian influence.

It’s here where modern Slovenian wine began. Some producers started the quest for quality even before Slovene independence in 1991. Producers like Movia, Marjan Simčič, Jakončič, and Edi Simčič were among the visionaries to raise the quality bar.

The wines in Goriška Brda are similar in style to those being produced in Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Italy). Producers use a number of wine grapes to make varietal wines and blends. Local grapes include Rebula (Ribolla Gialla), Sauvignonasse (Friulano), Malvazija Istarska, and Pikolit (Picolit). Winemakers in Goriška Brda also utilize white French grapes like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Yellow Muscat.

Wine Styles in Goriška Brda

Goriška Brda (along with its neighbors Vipava, Kras, and Slovenska Istra) has made a name for itself with orange wines/amber wines. The district boasts many excellent, minimal-intervention wines but Brda is more than just orange wine. From fresh to barrel-fermented whites, to wines made in amphora, you’ll find a multitude of styles.

Thanks to its location near the Adriatic Sea and the cooling influence of the Alps, the region is blessed with fantastic grape-growing conditions. For white wines in Goriška Brda, I tend to favor full-bodied white blends and orange wines. The reds can be excellent too, they are covered in the article Slovenian Red Wine.

The future of Goriška Brda remains bright. The wines are already world-class, the location is breathtaking, and the top producers are willing to travel the world to promote their wines. Savvy wine drinkers would be wise to take note. Here are some of my favorite wines from the current releases in Goriška Brda.

Slovenian Wine Recommendations:

Discover great Slovenian white wine at wineandmore.com

• Movia, Veliko Belo 2012

The Movia, Veliko Belo is a blend of Rebula, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Gris aged in wood and bottle for nearly four years. It feels a little riper than previous vintages. Complex white with notes of apple, sweet peach, dried yellow flowers, caramel, and flint. Wide and broad on the palate. The palate is more mineral and acid-driven than fruit. There is a staying power here and a salty finish. This wine always ages well and this should be no exception. Score: 92/100

• Movia, Puro 2013

This vintage of the Movia, Puro is made of Chardonnay. It’s barrel fermented and aged for 18 months and then spends at least two years in bottle, on the lees until you open it. Notes of strawberry, apricot, sweet yellow peach, mushroom, and pie crust. Tastes like a lighter orange wine with extra lees note and a fine bead of bubbles. Score: 92+/100

• Movia, Chardonnay 2016

The Movia, Chardonnay sees two days of skin contact, is barrel-fermented and spends 18 months in oak. The bacon fat notes of oak come out here in addition to red apple, white pear, brioche, and a touch of chalkiness. Buyer beware, there’s a Sherry-style, nuttiness to this wine that is oxidative in style. It’s full-bodied with a lot of bite, red wine drinkers will find a lot to like her. Grippy palate and a long finish. This is nice now but is built to age. Score: 91/100

• Edi Simčič, ‘Fojana’ Sauvignon 2016

The Edi Simčič, ‘Fojana’ Sauvignon is a single vineyard, barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc that spends 11 months in wood. Ripe notes of mango, kiwi, and white peach with just a hint of grassiness. It’s not overly grassy or herbal like many Sauvignon Blancs can be. Fantastic wood integration on the nose. This is a rich, full-bodied white. There are some chalky, mineral undertones on the back end. Powerful fruit and a long finish. I rank this right up there with the finest examples you can find of full-bodied Sauvignon Blanc. Score: 93+/100

• Edi Simčič, ‘Kozana’ Chardonnay 2017

The Edi Simčič, ‘Kozana’ Chardonnay barrel-fermented, serious Chardonnay. Explosive nose of fresh apricot, melon, yellow peach, matchstick, and a sweet kiss of oak. Full-bodied and intense, this is rich, opulent white. There’s a lot of fruit here and the barrel just adds support, not flavor. Balanced the entire way through. It almost drinks like a red and should age just as well too. Brilliant effort. Score: 95/100

• Edi Simčič, Triton Lex 2018

The Edi Simčič, Triton Lex is a barrel-fermented blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Rebula. This is still a baby. Rich, powerful, and full of texture. Notes of melon, white pear, jasmine, white flower, and Greek yogurt. The oak comes through strong on the nose but less so on the palate. It seems like it will be a big, fat white on the nose but the palate displays finesse and sharp, lemony acidity. This still is nowhere close to being ready to drink, it’s got a long life ahead of it. Score: 92+/100

• Jakončič, Carolina Bela 2017

The Jakončič, Carolina Bela is a barrel-fermented blend of Chardonnay, Rebula, and Sauvignon Blanc. This is slimmer and grassier than past vintages. The Sauvignon Blanc dominates here, in fact, I might think it’s a varietal example if tasted blind. Notes of kiwi, white peach, grass, white pepper, and a touch of the barrel. The wood adds texture and a light seasoning here but never dominates the flavors. It’s surprisingly fresh for a barrel fermented and aged white. There’s a streak of green acidity that runs down the throat and stretches the finish. Score: 91/100

• Marjan Simčič, ‘Cru Selection’ Chardonnay 2018

The Marjan Simčič, ‘Cru Selection’ Chardonnay is from the line of ‘premier cru’ wines from this estate. It sees skin contact for a few days and is fermentation in large cask and aged there in addition to barrel for about 15 months. Notes of green guava, green mango, lime, pear, and yogurt. The nose is all cool weather while the palate is surprisingly full and mouth-filling. Fantastic barrel integration. Score: 92/100

• Marjan Simčič, ‘Opoka’ Sauvignon Blanc 2018

The Marjan, Simčič, ‘Opoka’ Sauvignon Blanc is macerated for four days and aged in large cask for 15 months. Intense nose of kiwi, elderflower, melon, and a touch of grass. It’s a riper Sauvignon Blanc. On the palate is where this wine really shines. It’s a medium-bodied wine with a substantial palate presence. Plenty of texture and a limey, citrusy acidity runs down the palate. Intense fruit that covers the mouth. Long finish. Score: 93/100

• Marjan Simčič, ‘Opoka’ Chardonnay 2018

The Marjan Simčič, ‘Opoka’ Chardonnay spends four days on the skins and was barrel-fermented and then aged for 23 months. A riper style of Chardonnay with notes of melon, flint, white peach, and a touch of white pepper. This is very much a Beaune-style of Chardonnay. The wood doesn’t appear on the nose but adds some sweetness to the palate. Rich and full-bodied with a long salty finish, it never feels too flabby thanks to the acidity. If you’re looking for a fantastic, Burgundy-inspired Chardonnay, look no further. Score: 94/100

• Štekar, Malvazija 2019

The Štekar, Malvazija is Malvazija Istarska that is lightly macerated for one week and aged in oak. Very good aromas of sweet peach, white apricot, dandelion, and a touch of white pepper. This wine has an acidic edge, something that is normally missing with the grape. The tannins are round and the crispy, lemony acidity washes them away. There’s a lot to like here, it drinks more like a bigger white than an orange wine. Score: 90/100

• Emeran Reya, Brut Nature NV

The Emeran Reya, Brut Natur traditional method sparkler is half Rebula and half Chardonnay aged on the lees for two to three years. It has notes of Asian pear, yogurt, natural gas, and a touch of white flower. Attractive and floral nose accompanied by fine bubbles. Fun wine with lemony acidity. It’s more than just a simple, fruity sparkler, it has some depth to it. Score: 90+/100 

• Emeran Reya, Pynot Rosso 2018

The Emeran Reya, Pynot Rosso is Pinot Gris that is macerated for 5 days and aged in large oak casks. This has a pink copper color to it. Notes of fall leaves, cranberry, dried apricot, lemon peel, tobacco, and dried flowers. Very complex nose. Full-bodied and juicy. Pinot Gris can have problems with rising alcohol but this really hits the palate perfectly. Chewy tannins and good length. Score: 91/100 

• Emeran Reya, Yakot 2017

The Emeran Reya, Yakot is Friulano macerated for five days and aged in used oak. This has an explosive and expressive nose. Notes of sweet yellow flowers like dandelion burst from the glass in addition to pineapple, sweet peach, pepper, and flint. On the palate, there’s plenty of fresh fruits and baking spice. It’s the perfect wine to introduce the genre of orange wines to an outsider. Ripe, chewy tannins. Score: 90/100

• Ščurek, Jazbine 2018

The Ščurek, Jazbine is a single vineyard blend of Friulano, Pinot Gris, and Rebula. It’s barrel fermented and aged. This blend is reminiscent of the whites just across the border in Italy under the Collio DOC. Notes of pineapple, apricot, chestnut, white flower, and flint notes. Intense flavors and depth. Fantastic wood integration. The wine is much more intense on the palate than the nose. Friulano makes its mark all over this wine while the Rebula delivers some modest acidity. Score: 91/100

• Ščurek, Dugo 2016

The Ščurek, Duro is a blend of Rebula, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc macerated for 14 days and fermented in large cask. Bright and lively, there are notes of white peach, crushed limestone, white flowers, and a touch of fresh apple pie. This shows the Ščurek house style, it’s rich and layered. There isn’t a lot of bottle development now, which means it should be fantastic in the cellar. Lemony acidity on the long finish. Score: 92/100

• Ščurek, Stara Brajda 2016

The Ščurek, Stara Brajda is an old-vine blend of Rebula, Friulano, Malvazija Istarska, Picolit, and Glera. It’s fermented in big barrels. Intense notes of white flower, white apricot, chestnut, yellow peach, and white pepper. It smells and tastes younger than the age would suggest. Round on the palate with plenty of fruit and structure. The wood integration is stellar here (as with all of their wines) it adds a touch of seasoning without distracting from the taste. Long finish and cellar-worthy. Score: 92+/100

• Klet Brda, Krasno Orange 2018

The Klet Brda, Krasno Orange is a macerated blend of Rebula, Friulano, and Malvazija Istarska. The Rebula saw skin contact for a year while the other varieties did for one year. It’s an amber wine technically but it has a pink salmon color. Pretty nose of white flower, mineral water, fresh apricot, yellow peach, and chalk. More on the fresher style of orange wines. The palate is loaded with fresh fruit and a tangerine peel-acidity. It acts more like a complex rosé than an orange wine. With gentle tannins, this is a surprisingly delicious effort. Score: 90/100

• Mulit, Belo 2018

The Mulit, Belo is a blend of Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Ribolla Gialla, and Picolit. Most of the cuvée was fermented and aged in stainless steel with a touch of it barrel-aged and a small amount in amphora. Gorgeous style of nose with white peach, white flower, apricot, chalk, and just a kiss of wood. Full-bodied white with plenty of fruit. This really shows the essence of Brda and that all whites don’t have to be macerated. Great interplay between fruit and mineral notes. A surprising find. Score: 91+/100

• Rokovi, Orange Malvasia 2019

This is Malvasia Istriana that has been kept on the skins. Gorgeous nose of dried peach, white flowers, dried lemon peel, and a touch of white pepper. This is a delicate orange wine, there’s plenty of texture here but the tannins are not too drying. There’s a spiciness on the finish that adds to the complexity. I’d like a longer finish but this is a solid effort. It should age nicely in the medium term too. Score: 89/100

• Ronk, ‘Selectus’ Grigio 2019

The Ronk, ‘Selectus, Grigio is 100% Pinot Grigio that was on the skins for a week. A small part of the wine was aged in wood. It has a pretty pink copper color. The nose is impressive with notes of white flower, tangerine peel, red berries, and a little lemon. It smells a little like a blanc de noirs Champagne without the yeastiness. Elegant on the palate with plenty of fresh fruit notes and just a touch of tannins. A wine that drinks more like a heavier rosé or a light red. Score: 90/100 

• Prinčič, Mihael Belo 2018

The Prinčič, Mihael Belo is a barrel-aged blend of Rebula, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay with a touch of maceration. Wonderful nose of melon, dried mango, dried white peach and clay. The barrel is handled very well in this wine, it never overpowers the fruit. Round mouthfeel. I’d like a longer finish but this is delicious for those who like their whites with a touch of bottle age. Score: 90/100

You Might Also Enjoy:

• Slovenian Red Wine
• Slovenian White Wine Part 1
• Rebula: Slovenian Wine’s Flagship Variety?
• The Return of Modris Les Noirs
• Rebula from Vipava Valley

Thanks to all of the producers for providing tasting samples. The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Slovenian White Wine Part 2: Spotlight on Goriška Brda appeared first on Wine Travel.

Thank goodness for Slovenian white wine.

This tiny country located is located on the north coast of the Adriatic Sea. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in wine quality. Around 70% of Slovenia’s production is white wine.

I use the term white wine loosely because Slovenia (especially Western Slovenia) has made a name for itself as an epicenter of the minimal intervention, orange wine (amber wine) movement. Many of Slovenia’s most exciting white wines see various amounts of skin contact, anywhere from a few days to a few months.

Slovenian White Wine

For a breakdown of Slovenian wine regions, see my previous article on Slovenian red wine. White wine grapes are found throughout the country. In the eastern regions of Posavje and Podravje, you’ll find cool-climate grapes like Sauvignon Blanc, Renski Rizling (Riesling), Laški Rizling (Welschriesling/Graševina), Šipon (Furmint), Gewürtztraminer, Rumeni Muškat (Yellow Muscat), and Chardonnay. Generally speaking, most of the whites here are fresh, crisp, and clean although there are more barrel-fermented and macerated wines to be found.

Primorska (Primorje) is located in Western Slovenia and is broken into the wine districts of Slovene Istra, Kras, Vipava, and Goriška Brda. This has become the heartland of the Slovenian natural wine and orange wine (amber wine) movement. You’ll find a number of unique white grapes like Rebula (Ribolla Gialla), Malvazija Istarska, Sauvignonasse (Friulano/Jakot), Pinela, Zelen, and Vitovska in addition to French grapes like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

The Quality

Primorska is generally regarded as Slovenia’s top wine region in terms of fine wine. In Posavje and Podravje, the whites are generally fresh and crisp, making them great summer sippers. It’s an area that I’d love to explore in even greater depth (unfortunately there were not a lot of samples submitted from these two regions). Over the years, I’ve noticed more macerated and full-bodied whites coming out of the regions. At their best, these wines can absolutely stand toe-to-toe with those from Primorska.

The majority of wines in this article are from the districts of Slovene Istra & Vipava (Goriška Brda will be covered in a separate article). Both of these subregions in addition to Kras are overshadowed by Goriška Brda but they should not be dismissed.

A small sliver of Istria falls within Slovenia’s borders, it’s here that producers make magic with Malvazija Istarska. I prefer to drink Malvazija Istarska that has been macerated. The skins offer a sweet, floral flavor and ripe tannins. The region is home to Slovenia’s largest producer, Vina Koper, but there are many small, boutique wineries doing excellent work.

Vipava and Kras are located on the border of Italy and offer some of the most exciting Slovenian white wines. Vipava is the second-largest wine district in Slovenia in terms of vine coverage. This spectacular valley acts as a corridor from Western to Central Europe. It’s a sub-Mediterranean region that is aided by the cooling influences of the Burja (wine gusts that rip through the valley). In both subregions, you can find classically styled and macerated whites made from grapes like Rebula, Malvazija Istarska, Laški Rizling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay in addition to local specialties like Vitovska, Pinela, and Zelen. The best producers craft wines that will impress even the most critical of palates.

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for part 2 of the article.

Slovenian Wine Recommendations:

Discover great Slovenian white wine at wineandmore.com

Štajerska

• Vino Kupljen, Sirius 2018

The Vino Kupljen, Sirius is a barrel-fermented Chardonnay aged for 18 months. This is a big step up from the previous vintage. Ripe, barrel-aged Chardonnay. Notes of limestone, guava, white peach, melon, and a perfect touch of oak. Full-bodied with many layers of texture and a salty, gritty mouthfeel thanks to the oak. A longer finish would propel this into epic levels. Give this five years in the bottle to unlock even more! Score: 90+/100

• Vino Kupljen, White Star 2019

The Vino Kupljen, White Star is a barrel-aged blend of Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Grigio. Notes of jasmine, melon, white pineapple, and a touch of white pepper. The barrel integration is fantastic here. It’s a white wine built to age. Fruity, minerally, and full on the palate, it’s reminiscent of Friulian whites. Score: 90+/100

• Matic, Marl Grown Chardonnay 2017

The Matic, Marl Grown Chardonnay is left on the skins for two days and aged in oak casks. Notes of banana chips, dried peach, mineral, and yogurt. Full and rich in body. This doesn’t explode with fresh stone fruits like a standard, fresh Chardonnay. This is more savory with hints of dried fruit flavors. There’s a lot of texture and structure here. It’s delicious now but really needs a few years in the bottle to come together. Score: 90/100

• Kobal, White Reserve 2016

The Kobal, White Reserve is Chardonnay and Traminer (Gewürtztraminer) macerated for 72 hours and aged in wood. An impressive and unique nose of lemon meringue pie, melon, yellow flower, and a touch of yogurt. Full-bodied. The wood dominates on the palate but with time, this may melt into the wine. There are plenty of flavors here, it’s fruity, woody, spicy, and floral all at once. This is a high-quality white but the flavors may be too unique for many palates. I do really enjoy it. Score: 90/100 

• Kobal, Sauvignon 2020

The Kobal, Sauvignon is a wine that over-delivers in its modest price point. It is macerated for 72 hours. It has a pure Sauvignon Blanc nose of kiwi fruit, green herbs, grass, and white pepper. This is zingy and electric on the palate. There are no tannins from the maceration but there is plenty of texture here. It’s more than just a generic, simple white wine. Serve this fresh white on a hot summer day. Score: 89/100

*I also highly recommend the Kobal, Šipon (Furmint) 2020

Bela Krajina

• Šuklje, Belo 140 2017

This Šuklje, Belo 140 is a cool blend of Kerner and Riesling. The Kerner is aged in Acacia wood. An attractive nose of apple, fresh honey, white pear, and flint. Kerner makes up 80% of the blend and all of it is aged in Acacia but the wood doesn’t dominate the nose here but it does show up on the palate. Medium-bodied and crispy, this is a unique white that should capture attention. Mineral-driven finish and lemony acidity. Score: 89/100

Slovene Istra

• Korenika & Moškon, Elepard 2008

The Korenika & Moškon, Elepard is a crazy cool wine. Pinot Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc macerated for 60 days and aged for a whopping 120 months in the barrel. This is in between a hardcore orange wine and an Amontillado sherry. Aromas of mixed nuts, dried figs, fall leaves, orange peel, saffron, and sweet peach. Crazy complex nose. For such a high alcohol wine (15%) this has impeccable elegance on the palate. Long, salty finish. No sulfur added. Score: 94/100

• Korenika & Moškon, Sulne 2011 

The Korenika & Moškon, Sulne is a macerated blend of Malvazija Istarska, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay. Dark amber color, it actually looks like an amber gemstone. Complex nose of dried apricot, spring water, forest floor, and dried mango. The palate is full of flavor, explosiveness, and complexity. Sandy texture with a lemon and butterscotch finish with ripe tannins. For an orange wine, it’s all about balance, balance, balance. Score: 93/100

• Zaro, ‘Pivol’ Malvazija 2018

The Zarl, ‘Pivol’ Malvazija is macerated and is a selection of the best grapes. Pivol is the name of the village where it’s grown. It’s on the skins for just over a week then fermented and matured in large cask. Golden in color. This has the beautiful notes that macerated Malvazija is capable of. Notes of white pepper, sweet peach, apricot, yellow dandelion, and chalk. Very complex and thought-provoking nose. The palate is very elegant for a macerated white wine. Full of yellow fruit flavors and subtle mineral notes. The tannins and sweet and supple. Score: 92+/100

• Vina Koper, ‘Capris’ Malvazija 2018

This is a value-for-money wine from Slovenia’s biggest producer. It’s a fresh white wine showing well after a year in the bottle. Notes of sweet peach, minerals, yogurt, and a touch of sage. Rich in texture and body for a wine that only saw stainless steel. In Slovenia, this wine can be had for around 5 Euros. Score: 89/100

• Ražman, Malvazija Petrea 2018

The Ražman, Malvazija Petrea is macerated for two days and aged in wood for a year before release. It’s a beautiful, floral Malvazija. Notes of sweet peach, yellow flower, pepper, and a touch of lemon peel. This has all the flavors of Malvazija Istarska without the heavy orange wine flavors. Low level of tannins and nice texture. Slightly spicy finish. Score: 90/100

• Ražman, Malvazija Antiqua 2017

Ražman, Malvazija Antiqua is the reserver white of the estate. It’s Malvazija Istarska macerated for 15 days and aged for two years in oak. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the prior two vintages of this wine. This is more aromatic than the Malvazija Petrea. The nose explodes with dandelion, yellow peach, red berry, mineral, and white pepper notes. If you closed your eyes, you might think this is a medium-bodied red. This is a unique wine because it’s chewy, full, and elegant at the same time. The tannins are gorgeous and add just a little grip. Long finish. Score: 92/100 

Vipava

• JNK, Malvazija 2015

The JNK, Malvazija is Malvazija Istarska that saw three days of skin contact. Notes of apricot, lemon, yellow flower, and a touch of thyme. This is a gorgeous vintage of this wine. There’s a lot of fruit here and plenty of texture and layers. For an orange wine, there is a lot of tension here. Grippy tannins and a long finish. This is electric and exciting with a lemony finish. Score: 92+/100

• Guerila, Retro Belo 2018

The Guerila, Retro Belo is a blend of Zelen, Pinela, Rebula, and Malvazija aged in large casks for a year. Beautiful notes of tobacco, apricot, sweet peach, and a touch of white pepper. Incredibly complex and full-bodied. It has real texture. I am shocked by this wine, I found their wines quite tight in the past but this vintage is really singing. It is almost Gravner in style. Not too big and brooding, just fun to drink. Score: 91/100

• Cultus, White 2019

The Cultus, White is a blend of Pinot Blanc Malvazija Istarska and Zelen. The wine sees three days on the skins and is a combination of barrel and stainless steel fermented. This is a barrel-fermented white done right. Notes of Asian pear, white peach, chalk, and a kiss of yogurt from the barrel and lees. It’s mouth-coating on the palate with a slightly lemony finish. It’s not an overly fruity white, nor is it mineral-driven. Balance is the key here. I suspect it may improve with time in the cellar. Score: 90/100

• Tilia Estate, Pinot Gris 2020

The Tilia Estate, Pinot Gris is first wine I’ve had from the 2020 vintage thus far. This is the wine that is produced in the largest quantities by Tilia Estate. For a fresh white wine, this is gorgeous. Notes of pineapple, tropical fruit, flint, and a touch of grassiness. Explosive and full of flavor. Fruity, fresh, and crisp. This is a wine that nobody will push off the table. Score: 89/100

• Tilia Estate, Nostra 2018

The Tilia Estate, Nostra is a partially barrel fermented and aged blend of Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. I think this wine is one of the best from this estate vintage after vintage. Notes of pineapple, melon, banana, and roasted chestnuts. The oak integration is very good here. The wine is full-bodied with plenty of fruitiness upfront. It finishes with a tangy, tangerine-like flavor. This is not the most complex barrel-aged white in the world but it’s a lot of fun to drink and has enough weight to keep many happy. Score: 90/100 

• Batič, Angel Selekcija Belo 2018

The Batič, Angel Selekcija Belo is a barrel-fermented blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Welschriesling. Matured in barrel for 20 months. Gorgeous nose with notes of yellow peach, quince, fresh-cut apricot, mineral, and just a kiss of vanilla from the wood. The oak integration is perfect here, the wood adds just a touch of sweetness without it overpowering the wine. Everything is in balance here, almost French-esque in execution. This wine has a history of aging well, this should be no exception. Score: 94/100

• Batič, Angel Rezerva Belo 2014

Out of 15,000 vines, only 600 bottles of the Batič, Angel Rezerva Belo are produced. A blend of Pinela, Zelen, and Vitovska matured for two years in wood and bottled without sulfur. Deep orange color. It has a refined nose of sage, thyme, lilacs, and dried yellow stone fruits. The palate is explosive. It’s a lot more fruit-driven than the nose would suggest. Intense saltiness and a low amount of tannins for a skin-contact white. Long, tangerine peel-like finish with plenty of electricity. Score: 94+/100

• Burja, Bela 2019

The Burja, Bela is a field blend of Rebula, Laški Rizling, Malvazija Istarska, and small amounts of various varieties. It’s macerated and aged for 10 months in concrete and wood. I like this wine in every vintage. Notes of yellow flowers, melon, lemon, cut grass, and a touch of crushed rocks. This is a raw, natural wine but a complex one at that. The palate brings equal complexity with a nice interplay between lemony acidity and flinty flavors. Long finish and easy-going tannins. Score: 92/100

• Burja, Stranice 2017

The Burja, Stranice is a field blend of Malvazija Istarska, Rebula, and Laški Rizling that’s macerated for 12 days and aged in concrete. The vineyard is only 0.9 hectares. Intense notes of lemon, grapefruit, sweet peach, seawater, and citrus peel. Compared to the Burja Bela, this has much more concentrated fruit flavors. The mid-palate and the finish have the flavors of a fresh fruit salad. The tannins are easy-going and the finish is long. I usually prefer the standard Bela to this wine but in these latest releases, the Stranice takes the cake. For fans of this style, this wine is a real winner. Score: 93/100

• Vipava 1894, ‘Terase’ Chardonnay 2018

The Vipava 1894, ‘Terase’ Chardonnay is barrel-fermented Chardonnay. A part of this cuvée was kept on the skins for one week. Golden in color, it has the typical Chardonnay nose of melon and white peach with great oak integration and a touch of flinty notes. It’s full-bodied and rich with a creamy texture. The wood never gets in the way of the wine here. There’s a little bit of grip on the back end. Overall, this is a very good effort at this price. A longer finish would push the score to higher levels. Score: 90+/100

You can learn more about our scoring system on the wine rating page.

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You Might Also Enjoy:

• Slovenian Red Wine
• Rebula: Slovenian Wine’s Flagship Variety?
• The Return of Modris Les Noirs
• Rebula from Vipava Valley

Thanks to all of the producers for providing tasting samples. The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Slovenian White Wine Part 1 appeared first on Wine Travel.

Slovenia is a tiny country sandwiched between Austria and Italy. For a country with such a small stature (area-wise), it over-delivers in terms of wine quality. It has nearly 22,000 hectares (54,000 acres) of land dedicated to vineyards, 70% of production is white wine.

This doesn’t mean you should sleep on Slovenian red wine. Thanks to the cool air from the Alps and the proximity to the Adriatic Sea, the growing conditions for wine grapes in Slovenia is excellent. These ideal conditions allow for world-class Slovenian red wine made from both international and regional grapes.

Slovenian Red Wine

Slovenia is divided into three main wine regions: Podravje and Posavje in the easy with Primorska (Primorje) in the west bordering Italy. These three regions are broken down into several sub-regions as you can see below. Of the three main wine regions, it’s Primorska in the west that’s home to most of the high-quality Slovenian red wine.

Primorska is divided further into the wine districts of Slovenska Istria, Kras, Vipava, and Goriška Brda. In Slovenska Istra and Kras (which is an extension of Italy’s Carso region), you’ll find reds made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Barbera, and Refošk. Vipava has much of the same in addition to Modri Pinot (Pinot Noir), Modra Frankinja (Blaufrankisch), and even Schiopettino. Goriška Brda is an extension of Italy’s Collio region. Goriška Brda (Brda for short) is heavily focused on the Bordeaux grapes in addition to scant traces of Pinot Noir.

Reds from the eastern regions of Posavje and Podravje are mostly made from Modra Frankinja, Zweigelt, and Modri Pinot. While these regions are mostly renowned for whites, there are several gorgeous Slovenian red wines being made with the quality increasing in every vintage. I’ve lately been impressed with several Modri Pinots coming out of Štajerska (district of Podravje) in addition to Modra Frankinja from Bela Krajina (district of Posavje).

World-Class Wine Quality

I’m convinced that Slovenian red wines are of world-class quality. In my past encounters, it was Bordeaux blends from Goriška Brda usually reigned supreme. It’s refreshing to see that things are changing. When it comes to red wines, Slovenia is no longer a one-trick pony.

The Pinot Noirs continue to improve and there are some impressive examples to be found. I would have liked to include more in this article but didn’t get the chance to taste a big range this year. If you are a Pinot lover, keep your eye on Slovenia.

My hope is that producers in the east continue to focus on Blaufränkisch, a variety that is underappreciated. While ‘Super Istrian’ blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Refošk is a promising category in Slovenian Istra. There are excellent examples of this blend across the border in Croatia and there’s no reason that can be duplicated in Slovenia. The local red grape Refošk makes high-quality wines when done well. Still, too many examples have enamel-searing acidity and show a tad too much rusticity for most palates.

One of Slovenia’s top Sommeliers, Valentin Bufolin, has witnessed a noticeable improvement in Slovenian red wine over last few years. “We are located in two climatic zones, one warm and the other continental,” Valentin explains. “A lot has been done to understand better what terrain and climate can contribute and how appropriate clone selection can help.”

Valentin is bullish on the future of Slovenian red wine. “With the effects of global warming and technological development, new knowledge, clone selection, the introduction of new grape varieties, and identification of best plots, we will see more and more world-class reds from Slovenia.”

That’s great to hear but luckily for me (and the consumer), the future is now. Here are several impressive Slovenian red wines I tasted over the last year.

Slovenian Red Wine Recommendations:

Discover great Slovenian red wine at wineandmore.com

Slovene Istra (Primorska)

• Korenika & Moškon, Modri Pinot 2007

The Korenika & Moškon, Modri Pinot is an Old World-style of Pinot Noir aged in wood. This is a developed wine with notes of leather, tobacco, cherry, and a touch of mint. For a wine that’s nearly 13 years old, there is still a lot of vibrancy of the fruit. The cherry flavors and acidity are sharp and defined. The wine might be a tad too tannic for many Pinot Noir lovers but I really enjoy it. Score: 91/100

• Korenika & Moškon, Bis 2017

The Korenika & Moškon, Bis is a blend of Merlot and Pinot Noir aged in stainless steel. Many might disregard this lighter red but I absolutely adore it. Bursting with sweet & sour cherry fruit, graphite, tobacco, and a earth. The fruit is plush and mouth coating. The tannins are fine and smooth. A juicy, easy-going red with a hint of complexity. Get’s a slight uptick in score because of the drinkability and ‘delicious’ factor. Score: 90/100

• Zaro, Gran Morer 2016

The Zaro, Gran Morer is a ‘Super Istrian’ blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Refošk (Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso). There’s a beautiful rustic quality to this nose with notes of black cherry, black raspberry, iron, meat, and black pepper. Full-bodied on the palate, with high acidity. This is listed at 16% ABV but handles the alcohol well. It’s unique, a little wild, and very enjoyable. Score: 90/100

• Ražman, Refošk Ater 2015

The Ražman, Refošk Ater is a single-vineyard Refosco d’Istria (Terrano) aged in wood. It has a savage, Syrah-like nose. Notes of forest berry, rusty nail, iron, meat, and black pepper. It’s a juicy red at 12.5% alcohol. The acidity is high, so you will need some food to pair with this. It’s a tad rustic but fans of Italian reds should be right at home here. Chewy tannins. Score: 90/100

• Ražman, Popetris 2015

The Ražman, Popetris is blend of Refosco d’Istria, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Gorgeous nose with a blend of sour cherry, black raspberry, chewing tobacco, smoke, and pepper. Full in body, there is so much complexity here. The fruit hits first on the palate before all of the complexities take over. This still tastes remarkable young for its vintage date. Peppery finish and fine tannins. Score: 91+/100

Goriška Brda (Primorska)

• Movia, Pinot Noir 2013

The Movia, Pinot Noir isn’t the bright, fruity Pinot Noir that you know. This is considerably darker and denser. Aged in wood for 48 months, there are notes of leather, chocolate, blackberry, dried rose petal, and fall leaves. For a wine that ages for a long time, there is a lot of bright acidity. Long, forest berry finish. Score: 91/100

• Movia, Veliko Rdeče 2011

The Movia, Veliko Rdeče is a blend of mostly Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir aged for 72 months in barriques. This is a richer, riper version coming in at 13% ABV (the ones I’ve tasted in the past are 12-12.5%). Opens with a lot of red plum, black cherry, earth, incense, and pepper. Full-bodied and plush on the palate, it finishes with a charming graphite note. Big time tannins. It always ages well and this should be no exception. Score: 93+/100

• Edi Simčič, Duet Lex 2016

The Edi Simčič, Duet Lex is a blend of Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Big and burly with a touch of rusticity, which I love. Some basalmic notes with sweet black cherry, tobacco, cedar, black raspberry, and some earthy notes. Full bodied, this tastes a little Central Italian to me. Ripe, chewy tannins and a long finish. I don’t think this is a wine that will go decades in the bottle but it sure is delicious now. Score: 92/100

• Jakončič, Carolina Select 2013

The Jakončič, Carolina Select is 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. It isn’t made every year. Notes of dried black cherry, cigar ash, cedar, and a touch of mocha. This is a real crowd-pleaser. The graphite notes from Merlot emerges on the palate. Full-bodied and chewy with ripe tannins. Long finish. This wine always ages gracefully and this vintage should be no different. It will be released next year and should be kept in the cellar for another five to ten years. Score: 93/100

• Marjan Simčič, ‘Opoka’ Pinot Noir 2016

The Marjan Simčič, ‘Opoka’ Pinot Noir is aged for 27 months in oak. This is a powerful, floral Pinot Noir with notes of cherry, raspberry, chalk, earth, and a touch of white pepper. This is gorgeous on the palate and has a good balance between fruit and savory flavors. It’s silky and round up front with ripe, firm tannins. This has the fruit, acidity, and structure to age beautifully. The tannins are very Burgundian. We believe that this is the best Pinot Noir made in Ex-Yugoslavia vintage after vintage. Score: 93+/100

• Marjan Simčič, Teodor Rosso 2014

The Marjan Simčič, Teodor Rosso is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 48 months in oak. Notes of cherry, cassis, tobacco, earth, and mocha. Very complex nose. It’s a big wine on the palate with plenty of dark fruit. The concentration and quality is pretty darn good for such a tough and rainy vintage. The tannins are bitter and espresso-like. This wine shows that you can be big and full bodied without being overly fruity. Score: 93/100

• Marjan Simčič, ‘Opoka’ Merlot 2015

Marjan Simčič, ‘Opoka’ Merlot is 100% Merlot aged in oak for a whopping 48 months. Dark purple in color. The nose is rich with notes of black cherry, red plum, graphite, violets, and just the right amount of toastiness from the wood. It isn’t a shy wine by any stretch, it’s rich on the palate and full-bodied with a generous amount of fruit. Nice floral and graphite notes on the finish that has bright acidity and big tannins. It’s gorgeous now and should age very well. Score: 93+/100

• Štekar, Merlot 2016

The Štekar, Merlot is pure Merlot that is aged for 11 months. It’s had some time to develop in the bottle. Don’t expect a big, brooding monster, but do expect a delicious red. Notes of tomato leaf, sour cherry, earth, and blood orange. This is silky smooth on the palate. It’s 15% alcohol but feels more like 12.5 or 13%. Fruity, earthy, and fun to drink with round tannins. My favorite red from this estate. Score: 90+/100

• Ronk, Selectus Red 2015

This is a Bordeaux blend of 70% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon aged in wood for 36 months. Notes of tobacco, mocha, and graphite accompany the dried red fruit flavors. It’s more of a medium bodied red. I could do with a little less wood but the fruit here is beautiful and the acidity is very pleasant. Developed tannins stick to the palate and just call for stews and meat. This is a red that a lot of people will like. Score: 89/100

• Ronk, Merlot 2015

The Ronk, Merlot from old vines and only saw stainless steel (18 months) and bottle age before release. Pure and impressive nose of black cherry, red plum, graphite, and violets. It’s a red that isn’t round and creamy, there’s plenty of acidity here that makes it more angular. Many palates might be turned off by the sharpness of the wine but I am adoring it along with the chewy tannins. Lengthy finish. Because it doesn’t see oak, the wine is very affordable too. The Selectus Red is a more premium wine but I prefer the Ronk Merlot. Score: 90/100 

• Mulit, Rdeče 2018

The Mulit, Rdeče is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah aged in oak for 21 months. Pretty nose with sour cherry, red plum, meat, tobacco, and oak. The wood is noticeable here but the fruit underneath is pretty enough to handle it. The palate is vibrant thanks to the citrusy acidity. This only has 9% Syrah in the blend but the grape really stands out here. It’s more of an elegant, medium-bodied red with some chewy tannins. This is delicious now but has the potential to develop in the bottle. Suprisingly good stuff. Score: 91/100

• Klet Brda, ‘Bagueri Superior’ Merlot 2016

The Klet Brda, ‘Bagueri Superior’ is 100% Merlot aged in wood for 24 months. The wood is laid down a bit heavy on the nose but the palate brings it back. Notes of plum, oak, tobacco, cherry, and pepper. Plush and round on the palate, this is a full-bodied Merlot that’s easy to drink. Chewy tannins and a sweetish, vanilla finish. I don’t love this wine here but the fruit underneath is good and the wood should integrate with time. Score: 88/100

• Patrick Simčič, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Patrick Simčič is a new guy on the block and his Cabernet Sauvignon aged in wood for three months and then in concrete. Notes of cherry, crushed violets, leather, and a touch of tobacco. Medium-bodied red that has some nice texture. The tannins here are well done, they are developed and refined. The tobacco-finish is the highlight of this non-fussy red. Score: 88/100

• Prinčič, Mihael Rdeče 2017

The Prinčič, Mihael Redeče is the premium red of the estate, it’s a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir. This red has some rusticity to it but in a charming way. Notes of graphite, red cherry, tobacco, earth, and a touch of pepper. It’s a medium-bodied red that is more savory on the palate than fruity. Nice nuances here and you can feel the wood but it should integrate with time. This is my first time tasting this wine and I’d be interested to see how it ages. It may turn into something very fine with another 5-10 years in the cellar. Score: 90+/100

• Prinčič, Modri Pinot 2017

This is 100% Pinot Noir with a pretty nose of raspberry, earth, leather, and a touch of violets. The nose is unmistakably Pinot Noir. Silky and juicy on the palate with plenty of forest berry fruits. The wood is present here but it never takes away from the prettiness of the wine. This is a brilliant effort for the price point. The tannins are a little grippy and add some tug to the finish. I highly recommend this wine because of its great price point. Score: 90/100

Vipava (Primorska)

• Guerila, Amphora Extreme Red 2016

The Guerila, Amphora Extreme red is Barbera that saw six months of skin contact in amphora and another year of maturation in amphora. Notes of black cherry, hazelnut, dried cranberry, and smoked hickory. It’s surprising that this wine does not see would because I pick some up on the nose. The nose is very complex while the palate is more straightforward (this isn’t a knock). Pure red fruit flavors and pepper glide through the palate. There are some chewy tannins along with the high acidity that should keep this wine healthy in the cellar for many years. Score: 91+/100

• Guerila, Retro Red 2017

The Guerila, Retro Red is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Barbera aged for two years in large cask. Gorgeous nose of red plum, cherry, mocha, cedar, and pepper. It smells of an old world wine with tradition. Rich on the palate with plenty of fruit, this has a touch of rusticity found in Italian reds. Plenty of fruit, plenty of acidity, and chewy tannins and a unique rusty nail quality on the finish. This is fun to drink now and should improve immensely with time in the cellar. Score: 91/100

• Cultus, Red 2017

The Cultus, Red is a blend of approximately half and half Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with a dollop of Pinot Noir. It’s aged for 15-24 months in oak. A similar blend to the more famous Movia Veliko Rdeče. Out of the gate, this smells more like a cool climate red. Notes of cherry, red raspberry, bacon fat, and fall leaves come out here with a touch of perfume. Medium bodied on the palate, the wood comes on heavy at first but the fruit with time in the mouth. Juicy acidity and good tannin management. It would be interesting to hold onto this for another five years. On most occasions I would complain about the oak but for this wine, it just seems to work. Score: 90/100

• Tilia Estate, White Label Merlot 2016

The Tilia Estate, White Label Merlot is 100% Merlot aged in French oak for 16 months. Its shows some bottle age along with notes of plum, black cherry, violets, and mocha. Full bodied and big on the palate. The wood is heavy on the nose but is well integrated on the palate. There is a core of dark fruit held together by some big time tannins. It’s a wine for big meats and winter food. This has the fruit and tannins to last at least another ten years in the cellar. Score: 92/100 

• Tilia Estate, ‘Merljaki’ Pinot Noir 2017

The Tilia Estate, ‘Merljaki’ Pinot Noir is a single vineyard Pinot Noir aged in wood for 16 months. The nose is unmistakably Pinot Noir with notes of cool raspberry, cherry, earth, and tobacco. It doesn’t have the perfume notes that I’d like to see from the grape though. Pretty mouthfeel with plenty of forest fruits. It has the acidity and structure to suggest it could improve even further with time. Score: 90/100

• Mlečnik, Merlot 2011

The Mlečnik, Merlot is 100% Merlot. It’s an old school red that’s aged for two years in wood and a long time in the bottle before release. This is the current vintage. Notes of dried rose petal, dried red plum, tobacco, tomato leaf, and graphite jump out of the glass. The nose smells like a developed wine but the palate is still very fruity. It’s not a big, round, fruity red. This is one with plenty of earthy tones and an angular feel thanks to the grippy tannins. This wine has a target audience, including me. Score: 92/100

• Vipava 1894, ‘Lanthieri’ Storia 2017

The Vipava 1894, ‘Lanthieri’ Storia is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot aged in wood. Notes of cherry, tobacco, mocha, and graphite. It’s more of a medium-bodied Bordeaux blend. Some might want a little more fruit here but the oak integration is still stellar. Tight with chewy tannins on the back end. This is delicious with food and should probably but on nice weight with bottle age. Score: 89/100

• Vipava 1894, ‘Lanthieri’ Modri Pinot 2018

The Vipava 1894, ‘Lanthieri’ Pinot Noir that spent 20 months in small and large oak barrels. Made in a very ‘New World’ style, this is bright and fruity on the first smell. Notes of cherry, raspberry, earth, and a touch of perfume. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red fruits. This wine is so close to being a home run, the wood just shows a little too much on the palate (which might not be a detractor for some). Regardless, with food this really shines thanks to the vibrant acidity. Score: 89/100

• Burja, Reddo 2018

The Burja, Reddo is a blend of Schiopettino, Blaufränkisch, and Refošk that’s aged in wood for 18 months. It’s a darker red with impressive notes of black cherry, black pepper, forest twigs, earth, and rusty nail. Full-bodied on the palate, it’s fruiter in the mouth than on the nose. There’s an attractive streak of citrusy acidity combined with dark chocolate on the finish. There’s a lot to like here and it should age well in the bottle. Score: 92/100 

Štajerska (Podravje)

• Vino Kupljen, Skywalker 2018

The Vino Kupljen, Skywalker is a blend of Merlot with a touch of Pinot Noir and Blaufränkisch aged in oak. It’s a fine cool weather red with notes of cherry, cedar, and a touch of forest floor. It’s not the most complex red in the world but it’s fun to drink. Medium-bodied with a moderate amount of alcohol and soft tannins. Score: 88/100

• Kobal, Blaufränkisch 2019

This is 100% Blaufrankisch aged in wood. This was just bottled when I tasted it. Full of dark cherry, black raspberry, capsicum, graphite, and purple flower. This is clean and precise. It’s a juicy red that isn’t complex but very fun to drink. This is the type of wine I want to have slightly chilled at a bistro. It’s unpretentious and fun to drink. Fans of Beaujolais will find a lot to like here. My score here might be a little higher than most on this but I’m biased towards this type of red. Score: 90/100

Bela Krajina (Posavje)

• Šuklje, Lodoma 2018

The Šuklje, Lodoma is 100% Blaufränkisch that is aged in used barriques. It’s an attractive Austrian style red with notes of blackberry, cherry licorice, crushed violets, and a touch of pepper. The palate is crisp, clean, and spicy on the finish. There’s plenty of forest fruits upfront and the spiciness and complexity come towards the end. The tannins are soft and plush. An excellent red to drink at lunch or before the heavy meats start coming out. Quite a surprise from this unknown region. Score: 90/100

• Šuklje, Vrbanjka 2018

The Šuklje, Vrbanjka is 100% Blaufränkisch aged in 500L barrels. Single vineyard wine. Notes of black cherry, strawberry, mocha, earth, meat, and pepper. The nose is of a pure cool-climate red. This is plush and has plenty of fruitiness to draw you in along with the complexity to keep you thinking. Chewy tannins on the backend, substantially more than the Lodoma. This is a wine that is fun now but should improve with some time in the cellar. Vibrant acidity. Score: 91/100

You can learn more about our scoring system on the wine rating page.

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Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

Thanks to all of the producers for providing tasting samples. The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Slovenian Red Wine appeared first on Wine Travel.

Is it Slovenian, is it Italian? Ribolla Gialla or Rebula?

The answer might not be so clear cut. Ribolla Gialla is commonly accepted as an Italian variety but Slovenia isn’t willing to throw in the towel just yet. There are approximately 700 hectares of Rebula in Western Slovenia and about 400 in Northeastern Italy. This slice of Central Europe could even be considered one region, as there are no major geographical boundaries. In fact, many producers have vineyards on both sides of the border.

Ribolla Gialla / Rebula is a high-acid white grape that is capable of giving off floral notes when made into wine. In Italy, producers like Gravner and Radikon have done their part to put Ribolla Gialla on the wine map. As thrilling as these wines are, there are equally exciting wines in neighboring Slovenia.

Rebula & Maceration: To Be or Not To Be?

Western Slovenia, along with Georgia, has become an epicenter in the amber wine (orange wine) movement. Many of the ‘white’ wines produced here are macerated (fermented and soaked with the skins). In Vipava and Goriška Brda, you’ll find many examples of this style of Rebula.

Not everyone is convinced that Rebula needs skin contact. Jakob Simčič of Edi Simčič winery says, “I am sure that Rebula can make great wine without maceration.” He continues, “non-macerated Rebulas offer a fascinating expression of our region and offer incredible depth without being too heavy or aromatic.”

Klemen Mlečnik produces one of Slovenia’s iconic macerated Rebulas with his father at Mlečnik Winery. Klemen sits in the other camp. “It (classically styled Rebula) can eventually reach a certain level of quality by reducing quantity (yields) in the vineyard,” he says. “But I feel that nothing compared to what Rebula can give you with the right amount of maceration. Not one, but two dimensions more.”

Slovenian Rebula: My Thoughts

Macerated or not? When it comes down to Slovenian Rebula, it’s all about what style you prefer. While not everyone can agree on how the grape should be handled, there are excellent wines in both styles.

When Rebula is made into a fresh white wine, it can be acidic and neutral. Under the hands of skilled producers, Rebula can become a fine white wine with barrel fermentation and lees contact. The subtle white flower notes come through and compliment the yogurty notes well. Unfortunately, great examples are few and far between.

However, I believe that Rebula really shines when macerated. When done with skin contact and bottle age, Rebula can resemble a red wine. Just be aware that the grape has plenty of small tannins that be similar to those from Nebbiolo. If you’re trying these wines for the first time, use bigger glasses, serve them at room temperature, and have food nearby.

Slovenian Wine Recommendations:

Discover great Slovenian wines at wineansdmore.com

Classically Styled Rebula

• Edi Simčič, Rebula 2017

The Edi Simčič, Rebula fermented and aged Rebula. The wood shows up here but is under control. Notes of white peach, pear, flint, white pepper, white flower, and a touch of toast show up. Full-bodied, this wine covers the palate. The wood integration here is stellar, it adds to the structure and body while adding just a touch of flavoring. Good length. Score: 91/100

• Jakončič, Carolina Rebula 2017

The Jakončič, Carolina Rebula is a barrel-fermented Rebula. The wine opens with plenty of yogurt notes, which suggest plenty of lees contact. Flavors also include asian pear, white peach, flint, and a touch of white pepper. It was fermented and aged in new oak but that doesn’t come through. The variety still shines with its laser-like acidity. Long, lemony and mineral finish. Score: 92/100

• Ščurek, Rebula Up 2016

The Ščurek, Rebula Up is a reserve wine from this estate. Up means ‘hope’ in Slovenian. This sees just a touch of skin contact and is fermented in oak. Notes of orange peel, white flower, peach, spice cake, a touch of slate. Complicated and rich white wine. It doesn’t show a lot of bottle age yet. For a full-bodied wine, it’s oily and uplifting. The oak is laid down pretty heavy now but this should age exceptionally well. Complex and long finish. More of a Meursault style (Burgundy) of white. Score: 94/100

Macerated Rebula (Orange Wine/Amber Wine)

• Movia, Lunar 8 2016

The Movia, Lunar 8 is 100% Ribolla Gialla macerated, fermented, and aged in barriques for 8 months. Make sure to stand this up for a few days and decant off the sediment. This vintage is brilliant. Vibrant orange in color. Notes of orange peel, sweet peach, apricot, and white tea. It also has a vibrant scent of flowers in bloom during the spring. It’s a vibrant orange wine with chewy tannins. This is still very young and should become even great with time. When Lunar 8 is good, it’s great. Score: 93/100

• Movia, Rebula 2018

The Movia, Rebula is macerated for two weeks and in the barrel for 18 months. Notes of white flower, tangerine peel, apricot, and sweet cherry fruits. There is a lot of complexity here and plenty of layers of flavor. This has a nice bite and chewy tannins. This is a full-flavored orange wine with plenty of texture. Even our friend, Master of Wine Jo Ahearne loved it. Score: 91+/100

• JNK, Rebula 2010

The JNK, Rebula drinks like an aged red. It’s almost brown in color thanks to the age. Macerated Rebula (Ribolla Gialla). Notes of leather, tobacco, fall leaves, apricot, dried peach, and a touch of dried flowers. Because of the color and initial nose, you might think it’s tired and oxidized but the palate still is fresh. Lively and tangy on the palate with a citrusy acidity on the finish. Chewy tannins. Score: 93/100

• Guerila, Rebula Extreme 2016

The Guerila, Rebula Extreme is 100% Ribolla Gialla with 45 days of skin contact and two years of cask aging. This is noticeably more complex and complete than the Rebula Selection. Explosive nose of dandelion, baked apple, sweet peach, fall leaves, and white pepper. The palate is surprisingly more mineral in flavor than the nose. Time has softened the tannins. This is delicious now and could unfold into something greater with time. Score: 91+/100

• Guerila, Amphora Extreme 2018

The Guerila, Amphora Extreme is Rebula that spend six months in amphora and another year aging in amphora before being bottled. Plenty of sediment here. The nose is impressive with plenty of young white flowers, pineapple, orange & lemon peel, pine, and crushed rock. It’s very complex on both the nose and palate. The unique citrus acidity dances in the mouth. There aren’t big tannins here for a wine that saw so much skin contact but that doesn’t matter. Long and complex finish. Bravo on another beautiful vintage of this wine. Score: 92/100

• Marjan Simčič, ‘Opoka’ Rebula 2017

The Marjan Simčič, ‘Opoka’ Rebula is fermented in concrete egg and kept on the skins for 16 days, where some of the cuvée is aged while the other part is aged in oak. It’s a nice middle ground between an orange wine and classic white. It has a deeper color with notes of dried mango, ripe apricot, chalk, and yellow flower. This wine is serious stuff. Plenty of texture and a long sinewy finish with ripe tannins. It’s a crossover bottle for fans of classical white wines to get into orange wine. Score: 93+/100

• Štekar, Filip Belo 2017

The Štekar, Filip Belo is Rebula that is macerated for six months. This is still surprisingly young and doesn’t show a ton of bottle age at this stage. Complex nose with notes of cumin, yellow peach, dried mango, pepper, and earth. The palate has a nice melody of fruit, acid, and tannins. Long finish. This is still a baby and will improve more and should gain complexity with bottle age. Score: 90+/100

• Štekar, Rebula 2018

The Štekar, Rebula is Ribolla Gialla that is macerated and spends eight months in acacia. It’s had some time to develop, which has served it well. Notes of honey, apple, dried peach, and white flower. Round on the palate, this Rebula tastes great and has some big, chewy tannins. It would be interesting to hold onto this a bit longer and see it put on even more weight. The acidity is bright and the wine should shine with fish and even chicken. Score: 90/100

• Emeran Reya, Rebula 2018

The Emeran Reya, Rebula is Ribolla Gialla macerated for five days and aged in wood for ten months. This is a delicate, finessed style of orange wine. It really smells like a combination of peach cobbler, baked apple pie, and white flowers. All the fruit in this wine sits in the front of the palate. The mid-palate and finish are all about crushed rocks and chalk. A mouthful of chewy tannins closes out the wine. It has the structure to develop with more time in the bottle. Score: 90/100

• Patrick Simčič, ‘Moja’ Rebula Selection 2019

The Patrick Simčič, ‘Moja’ Rebula is macerated for 25 days and aged in concrete. Really well done orange wine. Delicate and complex nose of apple blossom, dried peach, bubblegum, fall leaves, and a touch of hand oil. The palate is equally complex and round. Wines like these are what makes the genre so interesting. It has the nose of a complex red with the mouthfeel and tannin like Nebbiolo. Firm tannins. Score: 89/100

• Mlečnik, Rebula 2015

The Mlečnik, Rebula is macerated for four days and aged in large casks for two years. Gorgeous nose of apricot, tobacco, white flower, tangerine, and fall leaves. Full-bodied and already incredibly complex at this young age. It starts out round and full on the palate with loads of fruit before becoming chewy and finishing like a red. This wine has an extremely good history of aging and this vintage should be no different. Intense, floral, fruity, and complex all in one package. Score: 94/100

• Svetlik, Rebula Selekcija 2017

The Svetlik, Rebula Selekcija is 100% Rebula that is macerated and aged in oak. It is the reserve wine of the estate and made in tiny quantities. A very complex nose with fall leaves, apricot, dried mango, white pepper, and a touch of white flower. Full in body, there’s a lot of fruit intensity here. There’s a rush of citrusy acidity and small, biting tannins. This wine has a history of aging well in the medium term and this should do the same. Score: 93/100

• Svetlik, Rebula 2016

The Svetlik, Rebula is the flagship wine of the estate. It is 100% Rebula macerated and aged in wood. Bright orange in color with notes of apricot, tangerine, and a touch of apple blossom. The nose is nice but I like a little more complexity from macerated Rebula. Full in body, the palate brings more fruit and intensity than the nose. A rush of lemon and sour orange acidity runs through the palate. There are small, Nebbiolo-like tannins here that stretch the finish. Score: 90/100

• Klet Brda, ‘Motnik’ Rebula 2014

The Klet Brda, ‘Motnik’ Rebula is a special edition, macerated & barrel-aged Rebula. It has a gorgeous nose of white flower, flint, chalk, white peach, and white pear. It has intensity on the palate. The wood is seamlessly integrated here. Full-bodied and complex, this tastes a lot younger than the age suggests. The tannins are very light, it drinks more like a big white than an orange wine. It has a long finish with a slightly salty note. This can develop and improve more with bottle age. Fine wine from this historical cooperative. Score: 92/100

• Klinec, Rebula 2016

The Klinec, Rebula was macerated and aged in wood. The aromas are a little shyer here than the other current releases but this is still gorgeous. Notes of dried apricot, dried flowers, peach, and even a hint of meat. This is rich and full-bodied, it’s creamy in the mouth at first before the tannins hit hard on the back end – almost like Nebbiolo. Earthy notes and other complexities emerge as the wine goes down and it’s all guided by lemony acidity. It’s a brilliant orange wine from this producer who owns a charming restaurant and guesthouse. Score: 93+/100

You can learn more about our scoring system on the wine rating page.

The finest selection of

Slovenian

wines available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Slovenian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Slovenian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

You might also enjoy:

Slovenian Wine: Rebula from Vipava Valley

Thanks to all of the producers for providing tasting samples. The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Rebula: Slovenian Wine’s Flagship Variety? appeared first on Wine Travel.

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For better or worse, 2020 is a year all of us will ever forget. This last year saw the fear of one singular thing affect the entire world. My life was deeply altered, like countless others around the world. That’s not to say everything was terrible, I have a lot of things to be thankful for.

Reliving 2020 isn’t something that most of us want to do but there were some highlights for me. Here’s the 2020 Rewind for Exotic Wine Travel.

Licking Our Wounds: Discover Hungarian Wine

We closed 2019 with an epic failure.

For years, we’ve had the idea of creating a guide book for Hungarian wines in the same spirit as our past books. The previous books we wrote took significant investment, so I opted to go with Kickstarter. After months of research, the Discover Hungarian Wine Kickstarter launched in November 2019.

Unfortunately, I made the wrong choice to set a high bar on Kickstarter and our goal wasn’t reached – meaning we got zero capital from it. Despite the setback, I still had my heart set on relaunching a Kickstarter in 2020. It’s simple, I love Hungarian wines and believe in them.

The first wine shows I attended in 2020 included WineOS in Osjek (Croatia) and Borjour Magnum in Budapest (Hungary). The former included a vertical tasting of one of Hungary’s most respected winemakers and the latter is the largest indoor tasting in Hungary. After discovering new and exciting wines at Borjour Magnum, I felt optimistic about relaunching our Kickstarter in the Spring of 2020. Unfortunately, 2020 had different plans in store for me.

Millésima Blog Awards 2020

A few weeks after the show, I was selected as a finalist in the Millésima Blog Awards 2020. It was my fourth year applying for the competition. I was chosen as a finalist in 2019 but fell short of winning. The story of this year’s edition was different, I was selected as the winner of the Public’s Choice Award for my article “German Pinot Noir: Is It Worth The Hype?“

The grand prize is a week-long trip to Bordeaux. Because of the situation this year, the trip was canceled and still hasn’t been rescheduled. My elation ultimately ended in disappointment.

Back to Sardinia

My last trip before the world went crazy was Sardinia, Italy. Over the years, I’ve been to the island several times per year and have really fallen in love with it. This trip was to judge in my second International Vermentino Competition. The days were filled with plenty of wine and even more delicious food.

 

After the competition, the organizers arranged two short trips to the western part of the island to explore the unique wines known and Vernaccia di Oristano and Malvasia di Bosa. These are two of Italy’s smallest DOCs and are wines that are aged under a thin film of yeast known as the floor. They’re not fruity, they are savory and nutty which confuses most wine drinkers. If you’re looking for a new experience, try one of these wines.

 

COVID & The Zagreb Earthquake

I returned to Zagreb, Croatia for the annual Vinart Grand Tasting. It’s the most prestigious tasting in Croatia. The show featured several amazing masterclasses, including a vertical tasting of Croatian wine icons. We did some PR for the event, helping to bring foreign journalists to the show. After the press trip through some of Croatia’s wine regions, the world went into lockdown over COVID19.

Our travel plans came to a grinding halt and we found ourselves ‘stuck’ in Croatia.

On March 22, just a few weeks after the national lockdown, we were woken at about 6:30 in the morning. The horizon seemed distorted as I looked out the window. Running out to the balcony, I saw dust rising from downtown Zagreb, I thought that a bomb went off.

It was the biggest earthquake Zagreb experienced in over 140 years. Thankful there were few casualties and the structural damage to our rented apartment was minimal. I put together a quick YouTube video of our reactions after the earthquake and it quickly became the most viewed video of the year on the Exotic Wine Travel channel.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Our friend Michel Blanc is the director of the Fédération des Syndicats de Producteurs de Châteauneuf-du-Pape. He brought us to the region in 2019 and this year, arranged for multiple producers to send us their latest vintages for several articles on our site. We spent several months during the Croatian national lockdown, tasting through the latest vintages and writing them up.

You can click the links below to see the articles:

• Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Best Buys

• White Châteauneuf-du-Pape

• Finding Value in the Southern Rhône

I Want To Break Free

Travel restrictions in Croatia started to loosen in the Spring. After being stuck in a small Zagreb apartment for over three months, it was time to get some much-needed fresh air. I arranged a stay in Istria, at the fabulous Villa Famiglia. Our friend Vedran of ChinChin joined us for the month.

It was a hedonistic month of wine and food (especially fresh seafood). Our social media postings made quite a stir. We received constant requests from our friends to visit, both local and abroad. Friends from Zagreb, Switzerland, and even Greece joined us at some point during that month. I put on a few extra kilograms that I’m still trying to take off.

We took the opportunity to revive our Cracking Croatian Wine series on YouTube. During the month-long stay at the Villa Lavanda, we shot our fifth episode about Istria, Croatia. You can relive that entire month with us in the video above.

Book a stay at the luxurious Villa Famiglia HERE.

The Land of Diversity?

After the month in Istria, we returned to Zagreb for a laid back summer. I spent most of the summer tasting and writing up articles, especially a big report on wines from The Spanish Palate. In between tasting and typing, we both took the opportunity to take part in our third video with the Zagreb tourist board.

I found it funny that the casting company made an effort to hire people of different ethnicities. In today’s world, it’s more and more important to be inclusive and show diversity. However, Croatia is not the most diverse country in the world, so seeing Charine, myself, and a few other people of color in the video gave me a good laugh.

Beachside Bumming

Sometimes you need a helping hand.

Out of the blue, Mirena Bagur of Croatian Premium Wine reached out to us. We had met in person but only briefly. Without reservation, she offered her holiday home in Gradac, Croatia. During a time where I was floundering a bit, this was a huge respite.

We took the time to produce our 15th episode of Cracking Croatian Wine. This edition focused on the seaside region of Komarna. It’s Croatia’s newest appellation and is fully certified organic. The wineries are already crafting good wines and have the potential to push the boundaries of Plavac Mali and Pošip. Our video, Cracking Croatian Wine: Komarna became the most viewed video in our series and the second most viewed video on our channel overall.

The real highlight of the month was staying at the Villa Lavanda. Its patio faces the sea, which is only 10 meters (30 feet) away. Gradac is located on the Makarska Riviera and there are towering mountains behind the villa. The only comparable beachside location I’ve been to is Krabi, Thailand.

 

I treasured every morning coffee, every dip in the sea, and every sunset. It’s a place with incredible energy and is very soul-soothing. I hope to bring my entire family there in the future to stay.

Book a beach holiday at the Villa Lavanda HERE.

 

Welcome to Patreon

As the Autumn rolled in, we headed back to Zagreb and I started our Patreon page. Patreon is a crowd-sourcing site based on the concept of Patronage. It’s simple, artists create with the financial help of dedicated fans.

My goal was to create a community of wine lovers who drink adventurously. Through the support of our patrons, I can continue to produce these articles and videos on our YouTube channel. The community is small now but I aim to ramp it up in 2021. Check out the Exotic Wine Travel Patreon page by clicking the photo below.

Back to the Beach

Mirena was kind enough to let us come back and stay at the Villa Lavanda in the late Fall to early Winter. Her generosity deeply touched me. Gradac is a beachside, holiday town and during Summer the beach was full of buzz and noise from children playing in the water. During this period, the town was empty and we heard nothing but the waves every night. Soaking up the seaside air every night is an experience I’ll take with me for the rest of my life.

In total, I spent three and a half months at the Villa Lavanda. It’s the longest I’ve spent at a single residence over the last six years. To help repay Mirena’s kindness, I did a few chores around the house. It gave me great pleasure to do simple things like trimming the hedges and sealing the shutters for the winter.

There aren’t enough words to express my gratitude to Mirena Bagur!

 Book a beach holiday at the Villa Lavanda HERE.

Coravin: Our New Partner

During this time, we also became partners with Coravin. A wine access device that we love and have used for years. If you’re not familiar, check out the video below. You can use our discount code CCROF4DGN5 for 10% off all Coravin systems and accessories (like refill capsules). It doesn’t cost you anything extra, you get a discount, and it helps support our work.

Slovenian Wine Aplenty

I’ve am a huge fan of Slovenian wine and try to visit the country every year. This country may have the highest wine quality among the Ex-Yugoslavian countries. I wasn’t able to visit this year. Instead, I’ll be working on several articles about the best Slovenian wines I tasted in 2020.

The article was originally slated to be a medium-sized article but the response from producers was incredible. I had the chance to tastes the latest vintages and even make a few new discoveries. Stay tuned to our site for three upcoming articles on Slovenian wines. The first should be released in early 2021.

Looking Towards 2021

For me, last year wasn’t all fire and brimstone. There were a few bright spots, including the Exotic Wine YouTube channel, which had its best year. Five years into the channel, it’s still relatively small compared to bigger YouTubers out there.

I’ve posted videos every week for five years and there are some down periods where I think it’s pointless and silly. There have been times where I thought about throwing in the towel. Every time I think about giving up, something pushes me to continue. YouTube sent this summary a few weeks ago and it just boggles my mind that people took nearly 350,000 minutes out of their day to watch – it’s incredibly humbling.

This year, I will also become the main voice of Exotic Wine Travel. You will see reports and articles on this page but most of my focus will shift to YouTube. Please consider subscribing and I wish you and your family a safe and healthy holiday season. See you soon and let’s raise a glass for a better 2021!

Another Zagreb Earthquake(s)

*Update Tuesday, 29 December 2020

Just a few days after I originally posted this, I was woken on Monday, 28 December at 6:30 am. There was a second earthquake at the same time as the one back in March. This Zagreb Earthquake measured at 5.2 on the Richter scale and didn’t create much damage.

One day later, on 29 December a 6.3 magnitude earthquake rocked Zagreb. Originating in Sisak, around 50 kilometers away, there was extensive damage. I am fine, the building was shaking which was scary but no structural damage to my apartment. Let’s hope that other in Zagreb and Sisak were as lucky. Let’s move on to 2021!

You Might Also Enjoy:

2019 Rewine: Best Wine Memories 2019

2018 Rewind (video): Traveling the World for Food and Wine 2018 Rewind.

The finest selection of

wines available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Croatian wines?    

If you’re looking to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With an abundance of options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post 2020 Rewind appeared first on Wine Travel.

The Pinot Noir landscape is varied and hyper-global. Touted as ‘the heartbreak grape’, many winemakers around the world feel inspired to take on Pinot Noir’s demanding and finicky nature. And when a variety is grown in so many drastically different viticultural places, the question of varietal typicity becomes an open-ended question. Whether intentional or not: at Modri les Noirs, the question about Pinot Noir’s typicity was put on center stage.

THE SECOND EDITION OF MODRI LES NOIRS

Held at Hotel Kendov Dvorec (a member of Relais & Châteaux) in Idrija, Slovenia, Modri les Noirs is an annual wine festival dedicated to spotlighting Pinot Noir producers from Central and Eastern Europe. With only two editions under its belt, the second year of the event saw a healthy increase in exhibitors: from 15 to 32 producers from Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Serbia, and Switzerland.

EMERGING REGIONS FOR PINOT NOIR

When it comes to Pinot Noir, Slovenia and the Croatian Uplands—especially the Plešivica sub-region—are beginning to build favorable reputations, particularly for drinkers who prefer Pinot Noirs that are approachable on release. In Poland and Hungary’s Etyek wine region, cooler weathers yield markedly different Pinot Noirs that express dominant herbaceous notes and light to ultralight body. Some examples from Switzerland and Italy’s Alto Adige show softly spiced, fruit-led expressions. Then, there are also a few severely awkward examples that seem adamant about proving that Pinot Noir is anything but elegant.

Generally, Pinot Noir clones used in Slovenia, Serbia, Poland, Hungary, and Croatia are not unusual: predominantly Dijon and Italian clones with the occasional Swiss Mariafeld and German clones. These countries plus other lesser-known wine regions are beginning to make remarkable Pinot Noirs with a character all their own. Sure, Burgundy still produces some of the finest Pinot Noirs, but it’s no longer the only wine region that can tame the ‘heartbreak grape’. The dynamism in this part of the world is sure to motivate people to think beyond the Burgundian blockbusters and challenge the prevailing opinions on what Pinot Noir should be or can be. Here are the noteworthy wines at the show.

WINE RECOMMENDATIONS

Pinot Noir’s synonyms: Modri Pinot (Slovenia), Pinot Crni (Croatia), Pinot Nero (Italy)

• Korak, Pinot Crni Selekcija 2017 – The Uplands, Croatia

MH: 92+ points Korak Winery is one of the names to know for Pinot Noir in Croatia. The Korak Pinot Crni Selekcija 2017 is a beautiful darker Pinot Noir with black raspberry, oak, perfume, red plum, and pepper. Full-bodied and complex, this has nuances and layers on the palate. Firm tannins and a long finish.

• Tilia, Pinot Noir (White Label) 2017 – Vipava, Slovenia

MH: 92+ points The Pinot Noirs from Tilia are always earthy and savory. The 2017 Tilia Pinot Noir White Label has earth, mushroom, black raspberry, and red plum notes. Round and medium-bodied at first with a core of dark fruit. Like many of the Tilia reds wines, the tannins are big, so put this in the cellar for a few years.

• Castelfeder, Pinot Nero Riserva Burgum Novum 2016 – Alto Adige, Italy

MH: 92+/100 This is the first vintage of Castelfeder Pinot Nero Riserva Burgum Novum that is partially fermented with whole cluster. This is shyer than previous vintages at first but opens with air. There are notes of mountain berry, pepper, and perfume. This has juicy acidity and a certain Italian flair to it. Rich texture and tart red fruit with firm tannins and a long finish.

• Heap’s Good Winery, Modri Pinot 2015 – Stajerska, Slovenia

MH: 92 points The latest vintage from this Kiwi transplant in Slovenia is delicious. It’s light in color and very Southern Hemisphere in style with notes of mineral, hay, strawberry, raspberry, and white pepper. Silky smooth mid-palate and tannins with a long finish.

• Jakončič, Carolina Noir 2016 – Goriška Brda, Slovenia

CT: 91 points The 2016 vintage of Jakončič Carolina Noir shows notable improvement from 2015. This wine drinks well right out of the gate. Umani, smoky, salty, spicy, plus a bit rose, with all that underlined by candied fruit notes. The ripeness here reminds me of Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County, California. Generous in density and intensity on the palate, leading to an appetizingly salty and sweet finish.

• Pasji Rep, Pinot Noir 2017 – Vipava, Slovenia

MH: 91 points Pasji Rep is a small organic producer located in the Vipava Valley. The Pasji Rep Pinot Noir 2017 is done in a friendly, fruity style. Notes of sour cherry and red raspberry. This has a round palate with silky tannins. The wine starts out fruity but develops a savory note and a peppery finish. It also has a history of aging well. A classic good example of Pinot Noir

• Etyeki Kúria, Pinot Noir Válogatás 2015 – Etyek, Hungary

MH: 90 points Etekyi Kúria is a new producer with a winery near Budapest. They are known in Hungary for making some of the best Pinot Noirs in the country. The Eteyki Kúria Pinot Noir Válogatás (vineyard selection) has notes of red raspberry, cherry, violet, and fall leaf. Silky and juicy with a low level of tannins. This is much better than their standard Pinot Noir.

• Sontacchi, Pinot Noir 2017 – Slavonia, Croatia

MH: 90 points Sontacchi is a small family winery located in the heart of Slavonia, and their Pinot Noir is a local favorite in Croatia. This vintage is a winner with delicate color and flavors. There are notes of raspberry, fall leaf, pepper, and a slight savory note. It’s real soft and silky on the palate with a touch of tannins. This vintage is silky and balanced with good length on the finish.

• Franz Haas, Pinot Nero 2017 – Alto Adige, Italy

CT: 88 points A spice-first-then-fruit kind of Pinot Noir, which I appreciate. Good intensity and textural depth on the palate. Vibrantly expressive and ready to drink.

• Hiša Joannes Protner Modri Pinot 2015 – Maribor, Slovenia

CT: 87+ points Undoubtedly the most ‘quintessential cool-weather Pinot Noir’ style at the show. Undoubtedly still not ready for consumption now. This ultra-linear, lightly-handed Pinot Noir might surprise acid freaks in a couple of years.

• Jamšek 1887, Modri Pinot 2015 – Vipava, Slovenia

CT: 87 points Beyond the typical fruit notes, there are spicy and floral hints of lavender, licorice, and ginger. Intriguing and complex aromatics. On the palate, the finish shows a bit of bitterness and oxidation. An exciting wine although untypical as a Pinot Noir.

NEW WORLD PINOT NOIR

Besides the walkaround tasting, there was also a masterclass about New World Pinot Noir, led by Quentin Sadler. 

• Hamilton Russell Vineyards, Pinot Noir 2018 – Walker Bay, South Africa

MH: 93+ points The Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir is my favorite wine of this entire festival. This South African beauty has notes of raspberry, cherry, strawberry, and white pepper. Perfumed and nuanced with a lovely texture. Dancing acidity and a long finish.

• Marimar Estate, Mas Cavalls Pinot Noir 2014 – Sonoma Coast, California

MH: 93 points The Marimar Estate Mas Cavalls is Sonoma County Pinot Noir to a tee. IT has notes of sweet raspberry, cool whip, pepper, and a touch of strawberry. There are sweet tannins and a long finish. The high ripeness from the fruit and oak took many of the crowd by surprise, and the wine was distinctly different than the others at the show.

• Seresin Estate 2014 “Rachel” Pinot Noir – Marlborough, New Zealand

CT: 92 points Proprietor Michael Seresin is a renowned cinematographer responsible for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Planet of the Apes, and more. He founded Seresin in 1992 and soon after became known in the winemaking circuit as one of the first few in the country to embrace organic viticulture. The Seresin Estate Rachel Pinot Noir is a blend of three vineyards that are 200 meters in elevation, on clay-gravel soil types. The grapes receive a cold soak before fermentation. After fermentation, the wine is aged for 12 months in barriques

An intense and moderately complex bouquet with dominant aromas of black pepper, earth, and leaf piles—all that before the fruit. Soft on the palate yet it is packed with textural density and flavor intensity. Silky but persistent tannins marked by notes of redcurrant and cherry. Crunchy acidity leads the flavors but does not act like a lonewolf at any point. Note: The 2013 vintage of this wine is listed in Matthew Horkey’s Pinot Palooza: Pinot Noir from Australia and New Zealand article.

Cover image: facebook.com/modrilesnoirs 

You May Also Enjoy:

• German Pinot Noir: Is It Worth the Hype?
• Learn about Polish Wine with Izabella Kamińska

The finest wine selection available at

📦 Shipping is available

EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Croatian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

The organizers of Modri les Noirs covered our travel and accommodation expenses during the show. However, please note that the opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post The Return of Modri les Noirs appeared first on Wine Travel.

Hello! Welcome to As Drunk by Exotic Wine Travel, a weekly column where we feature interesting wines that we encourage you to seek out. The reviews featured in this series may be written by either one or the both of us. The featured wines can be from obscure or well-known wine regions. We hope that these wine recommendations will keep you gastronomically curious and your palate invigorated.

Vino Kupljen Loona 2017 (100% Sauvignon Blanc)

Slovenia is on the crossroads of Central and Eastern Europe. Thanks to its location within the Mediterranean basin, the country has a long history of wine production. Most of the country’s biggest and brightest winemaking stars are in the western part of the country. However, there are several producers in Eastern Slovenia showing that they too can produce fine wine. Wines on this side of the country tend to be high-acid whites and some sneaky good Pinot Noirs. With 18 hectares in the Jeruzalem and Svetinje wine-growing hills, Vino Kupljen is one of those noteworthy cellars in Eastern Slovenia.

The Vino Kupljen ‘Loona’ 2017 is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes from a southwestern-facing site with primarily marl soil. The sub-region Jeruzalem is located in Štajerska (Podravje wine region, northeastern Slovenia). Štajerska translates to Styria in English, and this area was part of the Duchy of Styria during the Austrian Empire era. However, today, the English name Styria, also called Steiermark, refers to the southernmost wine-producing region in Austria.

The 36-hour maceration was followed by a 4-week cold fermentation. The wine was then matured in new French barriques, resting on fine lees for 9 months. Finally, the wine was bottled without filtration.

Intense and expressive flavor profile. Pronounced floral overtone underlined by orange zest, a touch of asparagus, pineapple, peach, and green mango. The tropical fruit core is lifted by subtle spicy notes. The generous palate points to Alto Adige while the lightly green pungency feels Styria-esqe.

Interesting note: this wine has a Diam 30 closure! It definitely makes me wonder how this wine would evolve in a decade or three.

Score: 91+/100 (You can find out more about our scoring system on the wine rating page.)

The finest selection of

Slovenian

wines available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Slovenian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Slovenian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

You might also enjoy: Slovenian wine articles

Please note that the opinions expressed are our own and have not been paid for in any way. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Vino Kupljen Loona 2017 appeared first on Wine Travel.

Do you like wines with a touch of bottle age?

Croatia is a fascinating country with plenty of quality wines made from both indigenous and international varieties. Thanks to the high volume of tourists and a voracious local market, the best producers sell out of their production every vintage. This is a great thing for wineries but the flip side is that aged Croatian wine can be difficult to track down.

That’s why the masterclass series of the Vinart Grand Tasting is so exciting. The Vinart Grand Tasting is the premier tasting in the Croatian wine industry. It happens annually in the early spring and the weekend event is preceded by two weeks of masterclasses.

The Vinart Grand Tasting Masterclasses

During this edition of the Vinart Grand Tasting, Charine and I attended twenty masterclasses. The majority of the classes were either vertical tastings or included rare archive wines. Tastings like this are incredibly rare since Croatian wines are purchased and consumed young. If you are in Croatia in late February, this event and the masterclasses are not to be missed.

Unfortunately, most of the aged wines in this article are not available for sale (producers have very few archive wines in the cellar). While the country (and surrounding regions) has a long history of producing wine, the modern era in Croatian wine is relatively young. Tastings like this show that there is a high level of competency in winegrowing and production. We feel honored to witness this story unfolding in front of our very eyes.

Here are some highlights from the Vinart Grand Tasting Masterclasses including a fine white Slovenian wine and a red Serbian wine.

Wine Recommendations:

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

White Croatian Wine

• Korta Katarina Pošip 2017 – Dalmatia

This is the first vertical tasting Korta Katarina has done on a large scale as they sell out of their wines on a regular basis. This is another excellent vintage of the Korta Katarina Pošip. There is an explosive nose of pineapple and kefir lime with some sage. Round palate because some of the wine is barrel-aged. Round mouthfeel and a crisp bite of fruit at the end. Score: 91+/100

• Iločki Podrumi, ‘Arhivsko Vino’ Graševina 2008 – Slavonia & The Danube

The Iločki Podrumi, ‘Arhivsko Vino’ Graševina is made from late-harvested fruit and it has a touch of residual sugar in it. This has started to develop some honey notes along with melon, grass, and white pepper. It’s full-bodied and still has lots of fruit and freshness, it has resisted aging. Long finish. Score: 92/100

• Matošević, Grimalda White 2016 – Istria & Kvarner

The Matošević, Grimalda White was the first Croatian white wine we fell in love with many years ago. It’s a blend of Chardonnay, Malvazija Istarska, and Sauvignon Blanc. Part of the cuvée is barrel-aged. This may be the finest vintage we’ve tasted. Notes of white peach, kiwi, grass, and white flower. Tight acidity stretches out the finish, this has a bright future in the cellar. Score: 91+/100

• Vina Laguna, ‘Festigia Vižinada’ Malvazija Riserva 2011 – Istria & Kvarner

This is Vina Laguna’s premier Malvazija from the Vižinada vineyard that faces Motovun. During a vertical tasting of this wine, this was the most impressive. It’s in a great place now with notes of apricot, white peach, yogurt, and a touch of natural gas. It’s full and round on the palate. Score: 90/100

• Šember, Qvevri 2015 – The Uplands

The Šember, Qvevri is an orange wine made of Riesling fermented and macerated in Georgian qvevri (amphora). It has haunting aromas of burnt rubber, apricot, smoke, and fall leaves. It’s full-bodied and packed with high acidity and chewy tannins. Score: 91/100

• Damjanić, Malvazija 2012 – Istria & Kvarner

During a vertical tasting of the Damjanić, Malvazija the 2012 stood out. It is a fresh white wine that is made to be consumed fresh and not aged. This has come along great and still has plenty of life ahead of it. It’s got a nose of yogurt, lavender, white peach, and natural gas. The bottle age has put weight on the wine. Long finish. Score: 92/100

• Kutjevo, Graševina arhivsko vino 1963 – Slavonia & the Danube

It was the third time I tasted the Kutjevo, Graševina arhivsko vino 1963. The third time proved to be a charm. This has aged well and is very Fino Sherry-like. Notes of almond, white peach, white apricot, and fall leaves. The high acid has kept this alive. The wine has residual sugar but the acidity keeps the wine feeling dry. Score: 92/100

White Slovenian Wine

• Jakončič, Carolina Bela 2013 – Goriška Brda, Slovenia

The Carolina Bela is the signature white wine from Jakončič, one of our favorite estates in Slovenia. This is a blend of Chardonnay, Rebula (Ribolla Gialla), and Sauvignon Blanc. This is an archive wine that is still incredibly young. Notes of melon, yogurt, white peach, and other stone fruits. It’s full of fruit and subtle power on the back end. The barrel aging adds structure and a long finish, this has a long future ahead of it. Score: 93/100

Red Croatian Wine

• Degrassi, Terre Bianche Cuvée Rouge Riserva 2008 – Istria & Kvarner

During the vertical tasting of Degrassi wines, the Terre Bianche Cuvée Rouge Riserva 2008 stood out. This is a gorgeous wine that tastes like a fine Super Tuscan. This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc has flavors of black fruit, tobacco, black olive, and sweet cedar. It’s full-bodied with firm tannins and a tangerine peel-like acidity. This still has a lot of life left in the cellar. Score: 93/100

• Jakob, Cuvée 2008 – Slavonia & the Danube

The Jakob, Cuvée is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. The fruit is grown in Slavonia. This is at it’s drinking peak now. There are notes of tobacco, black cherry, leather, smoke, and pepper. There is a spike of intense fruit on the palate and the tannins are developed. Better yet, this has the potential to age further in the bottle. Score: 90+/100

A Few Current Releases

• Tomaz, ‘Barbarossa’ Teran 2017 – Istria & Kvarner

Tomaz is a producer to watch in Istria as they continue to improve with every vintage. The Tomaz ‘Barbarossa’ Teran is beautiful this vintage. It has notes of flint, crushed rock, sour cherry, and red raspberry. It’s round and refined from barrel age. The acidity is under control for this variety. Score: 90/100

• Crvik, Vilin Ples 2016 – Dalmatia

Crvik is a producer in the Konavle Valley. It’s in Croatia’s deep south, near the border with Montenegro. The Crvik, Vilin Ples is sort of a “Super Dalmatia”. It’s a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Plavac Mali. It’s a big, ripe Mediterranean red with notes of red cherry, garrigue, and tar. This is full of fruit with firm tannins. This wine is a current release. Score: 89/100

• Krauthaker, Pinot Crni 2017 – Slavonia & the Danube

This vintage of Krauthaker Pinot Crni (Noir) is sensational. In a masterclass, I tasted it next to two red Burgundies (Vosne-Romanée and Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru) and the Krauthaker showed very well. It’s a big, structured Pinot Noir with notes of cherry, fall leaves, pepper, and cinnamon. This is very young and the wood is a tad heavy now but the mouthfeel and structure and phenomenal. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this blossom into a showstopper. Score: 92/100

Red Serbian Wine

• Temet, Ergo Crveno 2017 – Šumadija, Serbia

Temet is a producer we’ve liked since we first visited them back in 2016. Their Ergo Crveno was originally a Bordeaux blend but in 2016 Temet changed the blend. The wine now has 50% Prokupac along with Bordeaux varieties. This vintage has notes of dark cherry, graphite, capsicum, and pepper. There’s a good mix of fruit and green notes and firm tannins. It’s big, ripe wine with a long future ahead of it. Score: 91+/100

The finest selection of

wines available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Croatian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

Vinart provided complimentary admission to their workshops. The cover photo is courtesy of Vinart. The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Vinart Grand Tasting: Croatian Wine from the Archive appeared first on Wine Travel.

Hello! Welcome to As Drunk by Exotic Wine Travel, a weekly column where we feature interesting wines that we encourage you to seek out. The reviews featured in this series may be written by either one or the both of us. The featured wines can be from obscure or well-known wine regions. We hope that these wine recommendations will keep you gastronomically curious and your palate invigorated!

Gašper, Cabernet Franc Selekcija 2017

Goriška Brda, Slovenia is an extension of Collio in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy. It’s known as the premier region for Slovenian wine. The specialty of Brda (short for Goriška Brda) is orange wine, especially from the grape Rebula (Ribolla Gialla across the border in Italy).

There are some fabulous reds in Brda too, most of which are based off Merlot. The other Bordeaux grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc make cameos but are often used as blending grapes and not made into varietal wines. That’s what makes the Gašper, Cabernet Franc Selekcija unique.

Gašper is owned by Gašper Čarman. He is one of the most renowned sommeliers in Slovenia and is the founder of eVino, the biggest online Slovenian wine shop. Gašper producers his line of Slovenian wines in cooperation with the biggest cooperative in Goriška Brda known as Klet Brda. Gašper wines have been well received over the years but struck platinum with their Cabernet Franc Selekcija.

The Gašper, Cabernet Franc Selekcija 2017 is the first red Slovenian wine to receive a Platinum Medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards. This is an intense, full-bodied Cabernet Franc. It has a touch of funk that might make people believe it is French. Notes of black cherry, leather, funk, capsicum, and graphite. Weighty on the palate with light tannins. The intensity of the flavor on the mid-palate and finish are what stand out here. We’d like a little more tannin but overall, this is a beautiful wine.

Score: 92/100 (You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.)

We purchased this wine from Enozoik Shop in Croatia.

The finest selection of

Slovenian

wines available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Slovenian wines?    

If you’re looking to savor the exquisite flavor of Slovenian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With an abundance of options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

You Might Also Enjoy:

Slovenian Wine Articles

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Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Gašper Cabernet Franc Selekcija 2017 appeared first on Wine Travel.

Hello! Welcome to As Drunk by Exotic Wine Travel, a weekly column where we feature interesting wines that we encourage you to seek out. The reviews featured in this series may be written by either one or the both of us. The featured wines can be from obscure or well-known wine regions. We hope that these wine recommendations will keep you gastronomically curious and your palate invigorated!

Movia Veliko Belo 2011

Find or buy at wineandmore.com 

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Movia. This producer in Goriška Brda, Slovenia makes waves in the wine world as the owner Aleš Krištančič is charismatic and eclectic. This isn’t all smoke and mirrors, the wines are excellent.

The Movia wines that draw the most ohhhhs and aaahhhs from wine geeks are the Lunar (an unfiltered orange wine) and the Puro (a non-disgorged sparkling wine sold upside-down). These wines can be excellent in their own right, but the reserve wines of the estate are the Veliko Rdeče (Red) and Veliko Belo.

The Movia Veliko Belo is a less extreme amber or orange wine. It’s a blend of Rebula, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Gris aged in barrels for three and a half years before bottling. The wine is fermented spontaneously with native yeasts and is not fined or filtered. We’ve had the 2011 on several occasions and it’s shown well every time.

The Movia Veliko Belo 2011 is another masterful effort and should age gracefully. Now it’s a little tight but these wines tend to put on weight with bottle maturation. There are notes of white pear, white peach, jasmine, and almonds. It’s full-bodied and highly structured. This wine does see a bit of skin contact so there are some fine tannins here, but they are not overly astringent.

It’s delicious and unique now but these wines reward those with patience. Put this in your cellar and let it put on some weight, it should blossom into a special wine with time.

Score: 92+/100 (You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.)

Please note that the opinions expressed are our own and have not been paid for in any way. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Movia Veliko Belo 2011 appeared first on Wine Travel.