In the Spring of 2018, we set out on a re-tour of Croatia to bring our book Cracking Croatian Wine: A Visitor Friendly-Guide to life. There was so much to share about Dalmatia that we ended up shooting five episodes on the region. This is the fifth and final episode about Dalmatia, ‘Cracking Croatian Wine In Brač & Hvar’.

The Croatian Wine Region of Slavonia

Most wine geeks have heard of Slavonia, but usually, they associate it with high-quality oak for barrels. Very few people are aware that Slavonia is a Croatian wine region. This continental region is located in the eastern reaches of Croatia.

In addition to wine, this region is home to the Croatian specialty Kulen. It is a pork sausage spiced with paprika. This dense meat is served sliced and makes a perfect pairing with the local wines.

Slavonia is a versatile region capable of producer red & white Croatian wines. One of the principle grape varieties is Graševina (commonly known as Welschriesling, Olaszrizling, Laški Riesling, Italian Riesling, etc) but red grapes like Merlot, Zweigelt, Frankovka (Blaufränkisch), Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Syrah also flourish here.

The best thing is that these wines represent some of the finest values in Croatian wine. Come explore the region with us in ‘Cracking Croatian Wine: Zagreb & Slavonia’.

Watch “Cracking Croatian Wine: Zagreb & Slavonia” on Exotic Wine Travel YouTube:

Timestamps: Cracking Croatian Wine Zagreb & Slavonia

(1:04) Come be a local with us in Zagreb. We will take you to the Trešnjevka Market for our favorite local snack from Burek Mira. After grabbing a snack, we’ll take you to our favorite coffee place in Zagreb Teneo Coffee.

(2:08) Joins us for dinner at Dubravkin Put. This is our favorite restaurant in Zagreb and the head sommelier Tihomir Purišić has assembled one of the finest wine lists in Croatia.

(5:28) Take a road trip with us to the Croatian wine region of Slavonia. This region was founded by the Cistercian Monks in the 13th century. They set up a wine cellar in Kutjevo that is still producing commercial wine.

(5:58) Meet Krunoslav Sontacchi, owner and winemaker at Sontacchi Winery. Together with his brother Antun, Krunoslav runs a winery and guesthouse in the center of Kutjevo. Sontacchi produces one of the most sought after Pinot Noirs in Croatia in addition to an excellent Cabernet Franc.

(7:04) Have dinner and breakfast with us at Sontacchi Guesthouse. They cook excellent, honest food from sourced local ingredients.

(8:44) Meet Ivan Enjingi of Enjingi Winery, the first to privately bottle wine in Croatia. Mr. Enjingi put Croatia on the map by winning the Regional Trophy for Best White Wine at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Ivan won the award with his white wine named ‘Venje’. It continues to be an iconic Croatian white wine.

(10:25) Slavonia is a potentially great wine region but definitely has its obstacles. Learn more about Slavonia’s struggles here.

(10:44) Join us for a private tasting at Krauthaker Winery. Vlado Krauthaker is a Croatian wine pioneer. He is always experimenting and produces a wide range of white, orange, and red wines that always deliver high quality. A tasting at the cellar always turns out to be a huge event.

(12:24) Discover a few other high-quality producers in Slavonia including Kutjevo Cellars, Adžić, Feravino, Perak, and Orahovica.

(12:43) Come taste with us at Galić Winery. Local businessman Josip Galić just opened a modern, state-of-the-art cellar in the heart of Kutjevo. They produce quality wines that are widely available throughout Croatia. His latest sparkling wines made with the Champagne method are worth seeking out.

View, like, share the full episode on our Facebook Page:

The finest selection of Croatian wines

available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Croatian 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!

You May Also Enjoy: Making Cracking Croatian Wine

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 Cracking Croatian Wine: Zagreb & Slavonia appeared first on Wine Travel.

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.

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 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.

Here’s an article that’s long overdue. It’s a recap of a weeklong sprint through Moldova back in 2019. It was one of my favorite memories of that year and gives me hope that travel opens up again this year. Here’s a journey through Moldova in 15 wines.

Moldovan Wine? Moldovan Wine!

Charine and I got the chance to experiences the wines of Moldova up close and personal in the Spring of 2019 – our expectations were shattered. During our one week sprint through Moldova, we tasted several hundred wines and personally visited over twenty cellars. After the trip, it was crystal clear that this small, dynamic wine-producing country has immense potential.

The landscapes of Moldova vary considerably from sweeping steppes in the east, forested hills in the center, to the vast Bugeac Plain in the south. Moldova is characterized by a moderate climate with short, cold winters and long summers. Thanks to the different landscapes coupled with a long growing season, wine grapes ripen slowly and retain their natural acidity.

When Moldova was part of the USSR, it produced most of the federation’s wine (along with Georgia). After independence, the main market for Moldovan wine was Russia. After Russia enforced embargos on Moldovan wine in 2006 and 2013, the country had to reinvent its wine industry (also similar to Georgia). For more on this, check out Charine’s in-depth article about Moldovan wine.

Making Comparisons

Traveling through the country, I couldn’t help but make parallels to another small country, North Macedonia. Both countries have small economies, with wine production being essential. Like Moldova, North Macedonia belonged to a bigger nation, producing a large majority of the wine – Yugoslavia. Moldova and North Macedonia also produce significant quantities of bulk wine and are attempting face-lifts of their wine industries.

Unlike North Macedonia, small producers are embraced in Moldova. These small producers add a little pizazz to the wine industry. I definitely felt this personal touch during the visit. While many of the large producers in Moldova create delicious (even great) wine, I felt that most of my favorite Moldovan wines were from small producers.

Moldovan wine is poised to make a big splash. With high quality and great prices to boot, it’s only a matter of time before these wines are embraced. I’m hoping to make it back there soon, the journey through Moldova was one of my favorite memories of 2019. Here’s that journey through Moldovan wine in 15 bottles.

15 Moldovan Wines to Try

• Minis Terrios, Negru Împărat 2016

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

One of the first Moldovan wines I ever tasted was the Minis Terrios Roșu Împărat, which is a blend of Fetească Neagră, Rară Neagră, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Charine and I first encountered the wine at the 2018 IWCB in Romania. Just a few months later, we encountered its big brother the Negru Împărat during our first evening in Moldova. This is a small producer that isn’t exported widely but is worth keeping your eye on.

The Minis Terrios Negru Împărat is a Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon aged in new French barriques for 12 months. It’s a rich, powerful red wine. This has tremendous potential to improve in the bottle. There are notes of black fruit, red fruit, capsicum, cedar, and pepper. The wine has a lot of wood but the fruit is ripe enough underneath. Elegant and powerful at the same time with fine tannins. Score: 91/100

• Carpe Diem, Bad Boys 2016

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

Carpe Diem was the first modern wine bar in Chișinău, Moldova. It’s also a boutique wine producer. Proprietor, Ion Luca took over his family winery, breathing new life into it. We spent our first evening in Moldova at the Carpe Diem wine bar and they kindly opened their magnum opus, the Carpe Diem, Bad Boys. This vintage of Bad Boys won a “Best of Show” trophy at Mundus Vini and I can see why.

The Carpe Diem Bady Boys is a blend of Fetească Neagră and Saperavi aged in new oak. All we can say is, holy smokes this acts a lot like a Côte Rôtie. It’s big and bold without being overripe. There are notes of dark berry, bacon fat, incense, violets, and pepper. The wine is full and plush on the palate with round tannins. The long finish is guided by the right amount of acidity.

This is the finest red wine we had in Moldova. Score: 92/100

• Vinăria Nobilă, Fetească Neagră 2014

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

During that first evening in the Carpe Diem wine bar, our hosts opened up a few wines from the small producer Vinăria Nobilă. It’s a project headed up by Oleg Boboc, who happens to be the winemaker of Moldova’s famous Castel Mimi. We tasted his Cabernet Sauvignon and Fetească Neagră, both of which are outstanding.

Oleg Boboc founded this winery. Worked in California and Oregon before returning to Moldova. His vineyards are located in the Stefan Voda region. The annual production of Vinăria Nobilă is less than 10,000 bottles per year.

The Vinaria Nobila, Fetească Neagră spent two years in the barrel. It smells like an aged Bordeaux blend. There are notes of cherry, plum, cedar, pepper, and tobacco. It’s more medium-bodied on the palate despite the 15% abv. Soft and developed tannins. This might not have a lot of life left in the cellar but it’s delicious now. Score: 91/100

• ATÚ Viorica 2018

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

Our first winery visit in Moldova was to ATÚ winery. It’s located on the outskirts of the capital, Chișinău. ATÚ is owned by a young couple that aims to bring fun and excitement to the world of wine. Their winery is colorful and located in an abandoned warehouse.

ATÚ launched its wine on the market in 2017. Positioned as the first Moldovan urban winery in Chisinau. They’ve made waves locally for their fun tasting room and beautiful labels.

The ATÚ, Viorica is a varietal wine. The grape Viorica is grown widely in Moldova, producing fresh, easy-going whites. The wine smells like a dry Muscat with yellow flower, white peach, and snap green pea flavors. The body is significant for a fresh white, while finishing clean and crisp. Score: 87/100

• Asconi Rosé Icewine Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

Asconi Winery is a producer with plenty of foresight. They are located just outside Chișinău and the winery is complete with accommodation and two on-site restaurants. They produce a wide range of wines that go from casual and fruity, to complex and serious.

The Asconi, Rosé Icewine Cabernet Sauvignon has 180 g/L of residual sugar. It has an orange/salmon color. There are notes of strawberry jam, white pepper, and a touch of vine-ripened tomato. It’s rich and complex on the palate with energetic acidity. The finish has a tangerine peel note. A longer finish might push this even higher but it’s phenomenal ice wine for the price. It received a gold medal at Mundus Vini, Mondial du Rosé, and a silver medal at the Internationa Wine and Spirits Competition. Score: 89/100

• Castel Mimi, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2012 

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

Castel Mimi is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Moldova. This castle is a sight to behold and is the largest private architectural restoration project in Moldova. My jaw dropped when I first entered the property.

Castel Mimi was founded in 1893 by the last governor of Bessarabia, Constantin Mimi, a notorious public figure and a remarkable winemaker. The original building with a series of underground galleries has been maintained until today. Castel Mimi was acquired and reopened in 2016 after a massive restoration.

The Castel Mimi, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is aged 36 months in oak. It is the top dry wine of the estate. There are notes of chocolate, cedar, cherry, cassis, and tobacco. This wine has a zesty Italian-tanginess to it. The aging has rounded out the palate but a little more fruit would push this score even higher. Score: 90/100

• Cricova, Crisecco NV

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

Cricova is a state-owned company and the largest producer of sparkling wine in Moldova. The sparklers from Cricova were well renowned throughout the Soviet empire. The cellars are a 20-minute drive from Chișinău, which makes it a popular tourist attraction. Cricova has over 600 hectares of vineyard in the central and southern parts of the country. Cricova wines are iconic among locals and the winery was declared by Moldova as a National Cultural Heritage.

When Moldova was part of the Soviet Union, it’s estimated that one out of every six bottles consumed in the USSR was from Cricova.

The Cricova, Crisseco NV is a Charmat method (think Prosecco) sparkler made with Fetească Albă and Muscat. It’s floral with notes of white pear, apple blossom, and lemon peel. This has lots of white fruit with a subtle sweetness on the finish. For a fresh sparkler, this is delicious and offers great value for money. Score: 87/100

• Château Vartely, ‘Invidio’ Saperavi 2017

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

The Château Vartely, Taraboste Roșu was one of the first Moldovan wines that impressed me. I previously tasted a number of Château Vartely wines prior to visiting the country and none of them disappointed. During our visit to the cellar, Château Vartely opened a number of new wines including their ‘Individo’ Rară Neagră and Saperavi.

The Château Vartely, ‘Individo’ Saperavi is aged in the barrel for 12 months. Notes of wild berry, pepper, meat, and a touch of oak. Full-bodied, dark and inky like a Douro red. This has big time, chewy tannins. Put this away for another ten years. It’s another example that Saperavi’s second home may well be Moldova. Score: 90/100

*This is an impressive producer and we recommend their entire portfolio

• Mileștii Mici, Codru 2009 

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

Mileștii Mici is famous for having the longest cellars and biggest wine collection in the world (according to the Guinness Book of World Records). Riding through their tunnels in your own car is quite the experience. Mileștii Mici is a state-owned company and while their branding needs a little facelift, the wines speak for themselves. Their portfolio includes several aged labels, which will make fans of the ‘Old World’ happy.

The Mileștii Mici, Codru is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot aged in oak for ten years. This was bottled in May 2019. There are notes of wax, leather, dried cherry, capsicum, and cedar. This is medium-bodied for a Bordeaux blend with lively acidity. The wine is surprisingly round and not tired, it has more life ahead of it. The grippy tannin and medium length make it a pleasure to drink. Score: 89/100

• Mihai Sava, Merlot Rosé Sec 2018

Mihai Sava resides in the tiny village of Costești. He consistently won awards for his wine in the local village competition and was encouraged to start bottling wine commercially. After a push from the locals and some funds from USAID, he started producing quality wines.

Mihai’s cellar is underneath his home and he welcomed us with a smile and a table full of homemade food. After lunch and the tasting, he took us along for his daily stroll through the nearby forest. He’s one of the most genuine winemakers that I’ve ever met. While I am not a patriotic person, it made me feel proud that funds from the USA helped give Mihai the resources he needs. He’s a man with vitality and passion, I look forward to seeing his progression.

The Mihai Sava Merlot Rosé has notes of strawberry, watermelon, and mineral water. This has a lot of fruit and is weighty on the palate. The finish is juicy and a tad spicy. There’s a touch of complexity here, it’s not just a poolside sipper. Score: 87/100

• Salcuta, ‘Winemaker’s Way’ Fetească Neagră 2017

There are many producers in Moldova attempting to make the shift from bulk wine to high-quality bottled wine. It’s a difficult path but it’s one that Salcuta is willing to take. The winery is located in the south of Moldova, they produce clean wines that express the local varieties well.

The Salcuta, ‘Winemaker’s Way’ Fetească Neagră is aged for nine months in French oak. It has soft notes of plum, baking spice, and pepper. The wine is juicy with a touch of oak and chewy tannins. For an inexpensive red wine, this offers a lot of character for an indigenous variety. This is exactly the type of wine that should be produced to introduce a new variety to consumers. Score: 88/100 

• Château Purcari, Grande Cuvée de Purcari Extra Brut 2016

Château Purcari is one of Moldova’s historic wineries. It became privately owned in 2003, which gave the brand a shot in the arm. This is perhaps Moldova’s most famous winery abroad. They have resurrected the historical red wine appellations of Roșu de Purcari and Negru de Purcari. Both are good reds but I was more excited about their reserve sparkler.

We visited the estate and tasted through much of Château Purcari’s portfolio. Once we got back to the capital Chișinău, we visited their wine bar aptly named Purcari Wine Bar. There is where I got to taste the Château Purcari, Grande Cuvée de Purcari Extru Brut.

The Château Purcari, Grande Cuvée de Purcari Extra Bru is a méthode traditonelle sparkling wine. It’s a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc aged on the lees for 18 months. There are ripe tropical fruit, yogurt, and biscuit notes with fine bubbles. The fruit flavors are similar to a good Franciacorta (Italy). Score: 90/100

• Fautor, ‘Illustro’ Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Rhein Riesling 2016

Fautor is the most awarded winery in Moldova. Their wines have even caught the attention of Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, which gave the Fautor, Fumé Blanc 2016 a score of 90 points. We didn’t get the chance to visit the estate but we did taste through their portfolio at the WineMD bar in Chișinău. Proprietor Ruxandra Lipcan ran us through the portfolio over an evening.

The Fautor, ‘Illustro’ Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Riesling is an exciting white blend. Part of this cuvée was barrel fermented. There are notes of tropical fruit, yellow peach, lemon, and a perfect seasoning from the barrel. The wine has bite from the fruit and the addition of Riesling gives it mouthwatering acidity. It’s truly fine white wine. Score: 91/100

Fautor is the most awarded Moldovan winery and the quality is high across their entire portfolio.

• Gogu, Metafora 2017

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

We were slated to visit Gogu but a schedule conflict came up at the last minute. All was not lost though, during the last evening of our trip, we managed to track down a bottle of their top red at the Château Purcari Wine Bar in Chișinău.

The Gogu Metafora red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Saperavi aged in oak for 16 months. It has notes of red berry, wild berry, pepper, and tobacco. It’s inky and dark like a Douro red. The wine is full-bodied with suave tannins and a tangerine peel-like finish. Score: 89/100

• Et Cetera, Serendipity 2015

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

We were so enamored with the Carpe Diem, Bad Boys that we had to track down this wine – which is made from the same grapes. Et Cetera also produces one of the best Merlots in the country. We didn’t get the chance to visit Et Cetera but there’s always next time.

The Et Cetera Serendipity is a blend of Fetească Neagră and Saperavi. There are notes of blackberry, pepper, meat, and mahogany. It’s full-bodied and rich with high acidity and fine-grained tannins. It’s not as complex as the Carpe Diem, Bad Boys but has a similar flavor profile. Score: 88/100

You Might Also Enjoy:

Article: Moldovan Wine: Why It Matters and Why You Should Drink It

Do you like our content?

If you like our articles and videos, we’d love for you to be a part of our community on Patreon. The support from Patreon helps keep the content coming and you access to behind the scenes content. It also gives us the chance to get to know you better. Check out the Exotic Wine Travel Patreon page by clicking the photo below.

We were on a press trip organized by the Moldova Competitiveness Project, funded by USAID and Sweden, in collaboration with Wine of Moldova. Our travel, meals, and accommodation were covered by the organizers. Cover photo courtesy of Wine of Moldova. However, please note that the opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited 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 A Journey Through Moldova in 15 Wines appeared first on Wine Travel.

Delicious Italian wine at affordable prices.

Over the years, we’ve been making frequent trips to Friuli-Venezia Giulia, where we’ve gotten to know Damiano Meroi. He comes from a winemaking family and is passionate about great wine. We were instantly drawn to his enthusiasm for great wine. In recent years, Damiano has started an import/distribution company called Gemma Wine.

Damiano offered to send us the Italian wines from his portfolio. Having confidence in his palate, we immediately accepted. We were not disappointed and all the wines showed well.

The Gemma Wine portfolio focuses on small producers throughout Italy and the rest of Europe. The Italian wines in the portfolio are small, under the radar gems, and offer some serious value for money.

Gemma has some brilliant, classic wines in the portfolio in addition to several hidden gems. All of these wines below are under the radar producers. They offer tremendous value in today’s wine world, which is something we could all use a lot more of.

Wine Recommendations:

Sparkling Wine

• Solci’s, Metodo Classico Dosage Zero NV – Lombardy

Solci’s, Metodo Classico Dosage Zero is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and a few random grape varieties. Made in the Champagne method. Notes of white pear, lemon, quince, and just a touch of baked bread. It’s not super complex but it is a delightful drink. The bubbles here are fine but not too aggressive. Lemony finish. Score: 89/100

White Wine

• Massican, Sauvignon Blanc 2018 – Friuli-Venezia Giulia

The Massican, Sauvignon Blanc is barrel fermented and aged in oak for 12 months. This is a riper take on the grape. Notes of white peach, kiwi, acacia flower, and just a touch of oak. This is a rich white wine with some weight and texture. Very Friulian in style. Not Loire, not New Zealand, it’s own style. Score: 89/100

• Hedele, Chardonnay Goće 2016 – Vipava, Slovenia

The Hedel, Chardonnay Goće is a single-vineyard wine fermented Chardonnay that has really resisted aging. It’s more mineral than fruity. Notes of white pear, white peach, lemon zest, and minerals. Barrel integration is fantastic here. The mouthfeel stands out here. It’s more mineral than fruity at first. With air, sweet yellow fruits start to explode on the finish. Score: 90/100

• Santa Maria la Nave, Millesulmare 2016 – Sicily

The Santa Maria la Nave, Millesulmare is made from the grape Grecanico Dorato (Garganega) grown at 1000 meters. It is labeled as a Sicilia IGT, not an Etna Bianco. This is smoky and complex with notes of ash, Asian pear, lemon, and a little honey. High acid and many layers of texture. For a wine that didn’t see oak, this has plenty of refinement. Long, strung out palate with a smoky finish. Score: 92+/100

Red Wine

• Tenuta la Novella, ‘Casa di Colombo’ Chianti Classico 2017 – Tuscany

The Tenuta la Novella, ‘Casa di Colombo’ Chianti Classico is Sangiovese aged in cask and cement. For a hot vintage like 2017, this shows finesse, is floral, and perfurmed, Notes of red cherry, raspberry, dried flowers, and a hint of pepper. This is fruity and easy to drink. The tannins are grippy but not aggressive. Fun to drink, it tastes more like a Beaujolais than a Chianti Classico. Score: 87/100

• Nero Magis 2014 – Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Nero Magis is a blend of Merlot and Pignolo aged in wood for 24 months. Very big and complex red with notes of cherry, red plum, fall leaves, black olive, tobacco, and pepper. This isn’t a big, bold red. This is savory with plenty of earth and leather notes. The tannins are small and biting, almost Nebbiolo-like thanks to the Pignolo. Long finish. For a tough vintage, this is a gorgeous wine.  Score: 92/100

• Davide Pellizzari, Langhe Nebbiolo 2017 – Piedmont

The Davide Pellizzari, Langhe Nebbiolo is made from vines planted in Roero and aged in French oak for 12 months. This shows a lot of refinement for a Langhe Nebbiolo, it’s almost Barbaresco-esque. Notes of sweet cherry liquor, cranberry, violets, tar, and earth. It dances on the palate nice with a silky smooth texture before the big time tannins hit. Refined Langhe Nebbiolo. Score: 91/100

• Santa Maria la Nave, ‘Calmarossa’ Etna Rosso 2016 – Siciliy

The Santa Maria la Nave, ‘Calmarossa’ Etna Rosso is a blend of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio aged in French oak. Very much Red Burgundy in style. Red raspberry, crushed rock, white pepper, smoke, and a hint of sweet vanilla. Mouthfilling red fruit with minerals on the backend. The acidity is dancing on the palate and the tannins are firm, this is really built to age. Subtle and gentle now, this will reward those with patience. Score: 93/100

Sweet Wine

• Filippon, Ramandolo 2017 – Friuli-Venezia Giulia

The Filippon, Ramandolo is Verduzzo barrel fermented and aged in wood for 24 months. Notes of dried apricot, dried peaches, honey, dried lemon peel, and white pepper. Full-bodied and rich with yellow fruit flavors. There’s plenty of acidity here to keep the palate from feeling too heavy or sappy. The acidity isn’t as high as a TBA Riesling or sweet Tokaji, but it’s enough to stretch out the palate. Score: 91/100

Do you like our content?

If you like our articles and videos, we’d love for you to be a part of our community on Patreon. The support from Patreon helps keep the content coming and you access to behind the scenes content. It also gives us the chance to get to know you better. Check out the Exotic Wine Travel Patreon page by clicking the photo below.

Thanks to Gemma Wine for the bottles. 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 Italian Wine From Gemma 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 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.

Winnica Wieliczka

Before the world went crazy, I judged in the Vermentino Competition 2020 in Sardinia, Italy. One of the judges was Agnieszka Rousseau, who is Polish and makes wine in both France and Poland. We got along well and she mentioned her project in Poland, Winnica Wieliczka.

Just a few weeks later, Charine chanced upon the Winnica Wieliczka, Pinot Noir during a press trip in Istria, Croatia. She had a very positive impression of the wine, which pushed me to seek them out.

Winnica Wieliczka farms biodynamically in Poland, they are the only Polish wine producer that works solely with Vitis Vinifera. Many other producers in Poland have hybrids that can handle the cold winters. “We have a scientific approach when it comes to biodynamics,” Agnieszka says. “When you start to analyze it (biodynamics) and have basic knowledge of microbiology, plant physiology, physics, and chemistry, all of a sudden it doesn’t seem so esoteric.”

Biodynamic farming in a cold, northerly climate takes some guts. Because of previous experiences with Polish wine, I expected the wines of Winnica Wieliczka to be ‘ok’. All of the wines exceeded my expectations.

The whites see skin contact and the reds show impressive concentration considering the latitude (don’t expect the big and bold). All of these wines have texture and real soul. They are the kind of wines that convey what the Italians call, ’emozione’. To try these wines, you’ll probably have to travel to Poland. If you do find yourself in the country, make sure to seek them out.

If I owned a trendy natural wine bar, these Polish wines from Winnica Wieliczka would definitely be on the menu.

• Winnica Wieliczka, Jantar 2018

The Winnica Wieliczka, Jantar is a field blend macerated for five months. Clean notes of sweet peaches, dried apricots, citrus peel, and cut grass flavors. The tannins are round and not astringent. It’s got intense flavors with high acidity. Elegant and clean with a slightly herbal (not unripe) touch. A high-quality orange wine from Poland, very cool. Score: 89/100

• Winnica Wieliczka, ‘Cuvée Seraf’ Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc 2018

The Winnica Wieliczka, ‘Cuvée Seraf’ doesn’t taste like Chardonnay, nor does it taste like Sauvignon Blanc. It is delicious though! The wine was on the skins for five days. Notes of grass, yellow flower, winter melon, green apple, and a touch of white pear. This has some significant body with a rich, chewy texture and bright acidity. Everything is harmonious on the palate. Delicious, minimal-intervention style of white wine. Score: 90/100

• Winnica Wieliczka, Chardonnay 2018

The Winnicia Wieliczka, Chardonnay is late-harvested (Późny zbiór) Chardonnay that sees two weeks of skin contact and is aged in oak. Notes of dried orange peel, sweet peach, honey, and daffodil emerge from the glass. This has been aged in wood so the wine has significant structure. Sweet and persistent fruit on the finish. This is a wine that really should be enjoyed after more years in the cellar. Note: It tasted best after three days after opening. Score: 88/100

• Winnica Wieliczka, Pinot Noir 2018

The Winnica Wielieczka Pinot Noir is a delicious, classic take on the grape with notes of raspberry, sour cherry, fall leaves, earth, and smoke. Round and silky palate. The acidity is high but doesn’t cut through the palate or make the wine too sharp. Good length and a wine that should develop nicely. Pinot Noir is such a tough grape to tackle, which makes this even more impressive. Score: 90/100

• Winnica Wieliczka, ‘Cuvée Regis’ Merlot Pinot Noir 2018

The Winnica Wieliczka, ‘Cuvée Regis’ is excellent for a red wine from the far north (latitude-wise). It acts a lot like a Loire Cabernet Franc or a Carmenere with pleasant green notes that aren’t distracting. There are notes of cherry, graphite, capsicum, forest floor, and a touch of wood. Medium-bodied, low-alcohol, and elegant red, it’s easy-going with a sensual texture. Score: 90+/100

Do you like our content?

If you like our articles and videos, we’d love for you to be a part of our community on Patreon. The support from Patreon helps keep the content coming and you access to behind the scenes content. It also gives us the chance to get to know you better. Check out the Exotic Wine Travel Patreon page by clicking the photo below.

Thanks to Winnica Wieliczka for the wines. 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 Polish Wine From Winnica Wieliczka appeared first on Wine Travel.

I liked Nicola Thornton within five seconds of chatting with her.

The wine industry can be tough. Selling wine in this climate is challenging with so many restaurants closed. Writing about wine can be even tougher thanks to shrinking budgets and limited paying outlets. It’s easy to find people that are beaten down. Meeting optimistic people feels like a breath of fresh air.

That’s exactly the type of person that Nicola is. She left the UK and fell in love with sunny Spain. After years of working in cooperatives and private wineries, she founded the Spanish Palate in 2016. Her team looks after several small producers and helps them market and export to over 40 countries worldwide.

From our first call to tasting the wines, I was impressed with her energy and enthusiasm. Her lineup of wines named “Spanish Palate Creations” is inspiring. They consist of two lines. The Botas de Barro (muddy boots) lineup are wines that see a little oak aging, while the Mi Tractor Azul (my blue tractor) wines are fresh and fruity. Nicola and her team designed the labels and market them as inexpensive wines that overdeliver in their price points.

These wines are produced by cooperatives in different regions of Spain that work with old vines. “The idea of the cooperative is perfect (to me), you get all of the small farmers pulling their resources together to defend a dignified way to live,” Nicola says. “It gives these guys power in numbers.”

I think all of the wines in the Spanish Palate Creations line are good to very good. These are the types of wines that will be fine house pours in restaurants around the world. Purchasing a bottle also helps bring communities together and supports the little guy.

Wine Recommendations:

Spanish Palate Creations

• Botas de Barro, Old Vine Garnacha Almansa 2017

The Botas de Barro, Old Vine Garnacha Almansa is my favorite wine in the Spanish Palate creations. This has a wonderful, complex nose with notes of strawberry, black raspberry, parched earth, meat, and pepper. There’s plenty of fruit here with a hint of complexity. There is meatiness and earthiness on the palate and the tannins are supple and ripe. It doesn’t have great length but it is very fun and pleasurable to drink. Score: 88+/100

• Botas de Barro, Toro 2018

The Botas de Barro, Toro is Tempranillo aged for 5 months in oak. This is a nice, slimmer Toro. There’s complexity here for such a young wine. Notes of cherry, raspberry, pepper, and earth. There’s a pleasant streak of tangy acidity on the mid-palate. Tannins are chewy but not overly drying. Very good, entry-level Toro. Score: 87/100

• Mi Tractor Azul, Garnacha Tintorera 2017

Mi Tractor Azul, Garnacha Tintorera is Alicante Bouchet unoaked. Very dark wine. There are notes of raspberry, violets, cherry, pepper, and stems. It’s full-bodied and generous on the palate with some bright acidity. The wine is fruity and big but there’s a slight green streak to it, which I like a lot. A delicious bistro red with some tannins. Score: 87/100

• Mi Tractor Azul, Toro 2018

The Mi Tractor Azul, Toro is made from 100% Tempranillo that doesn’t see oak. Shows decent complexity for an unoaked wine. Notes of black cherry, cassis, and pepper. Fruity and easy-going with low level of tannins. This is a young wine but the spike of flavor on the mid-palate is surprising. It’s not built to go the distance but another year in the bottle would do it wonders. Score: 87/100

• La Baldosa. Macabeo 2019

The La Baldosa, Macabeo is from the Manchuela DO. This is 100% Macabeo. It’s a nice crisp white wine with notes of pineapple, white flower, and flint. This grape is one of the components of Cava and you can definitely pick it up here. It’s crisp and fresh, not complex but very well done. This is a summer sipper for those who want something different than a Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. Score: 87/100

Estate Grown Spanish Wines

The Spanish Palate also markets a number of small producers from all over Spain. All of the wines below are available in Spain for under 20 Euros, with the majority of them around 10. All of these offer fantastic value for money and are worth seeking out.

• Hacienda Albae, Viognier 2019

The Hacienda Albae, Viognier stays on the lees in steel for four months. Notes of dandelion, sweet yellow peach, honey, and clay. The floral and yellow stone fruit notes are what really stand out. This is a solid, full-bodied Viognier. Don’t expect an ultra-crisp white wine but do expect something with some significant body. It is very similar to the wines of the Southern Rhône. For a wine that retails around 8 Euros in Spain, this is a steal. Score: 89/100

• Hacienda Albae, Chardonnay Barrica 2017

This Chardonnay Barrica from Hacienda Albae is fermented and aged in oak for six months. It’s deeper in color thanks to 24 months on the skins. There are unmistakeable Chardonnay notes here such as melon, sweet peach, and a touch of toast. The wood is laid down remarkably well, it’s negligible on the nose and pleasant on the mouth. Sweet and long yellow fruit finish. There’s a lot to like here. Score: 89/100

• Loess, ‘Inspiration’ Ribera del Duero 2018

Many mid-range Spanish reds tend to be too oaky for my palate. The Loess, ‘Inspiration’ Ribera del Duero is not one of those wines. This is 100% Tempranillo aged in oak for nine months. This is made from estate-grown fruit. The oak isn’t overbearing here and this is a pleasure to drink. Notes of dark cherry, mocha, and tobacco come together on a full-bodied frame. There’s intense, ripe fruit here but the wine is burdened by oak, which I love. Chewy tannins. This gets an uptick in score thanks to its affordability (11-15 Euros in Spain). Score: 90+/100

• Loess, ‘Collection’ Ribera del Duero 2015

For those that like bigger, oakier reds, the Loess ‘Collection’ Ribera del Duero is for you. This is 100% Tempranillo aged in oak for 24-30 months. This is a big, dark red with notes of cherry, baking spice, tobacco, and bacon fat. It enters the mouth with a ton of dark fruit. It’s a structured red. There is a spicy finish along with plenty of acidity. The woody tannins are a bit strong but with a big piece of meat, they shouldn’t be a problem. Score: 90/100

• Coral Duero, Los Lastros 2017

The Coral Duero, Los Lastros is simply fun to drink. It’s a single-vineyard Toro aged for 8 months in oak. Notes of bright cherry, earth, and tobacco. The interplay between fruit and oak here is fantastic. It’s more of a medium-bodied Toro, there’s enough fruit here to overpower the oak. Ripe tannins and a luxurious finish. Score: 90+/100

• Coral Duero, Rompesedas 2017

The Coral Duero, Rompesedas is higher up on this producer’s portfolio. It is a single-vineyard Toro aged for 18 months in oak. The specs suggested that this could be too oaky but that’s not the truth. There are oaky aromas but they are far from distracting. Notes of black cherry, crushed rose petal, and earth also emerge from the glass. This is rich and looks to be more age-worthy of the four wines. There’s a lot of structure from the barrel but this should fade with time. This might be the best wine out of the four but to drink, I prefer the Los Lastros. Score: 90/100

• Casa do Sol, ’10 Meses Sobre Lías’ Albariño 2016

The Casa do Sol, ’10 Meses Sobre Lías’ Albariño is brilliant. It is barrel-fermented and aged on the lees for 10 months. It’s a beauty and shows bottle development. Notes of caramel, dried peach, dried pineapple, yogurt, lemon, and flint. It’s very complex on the nose and in the mouth. Full-bodied with a gritty texture and a long finish. Spine-tingling acidity that is typical of the grape. It’s in a great place now so drink it up. Score: 91+/100

• Casa do Sol, ‘Braiña de Casa do Sol’ Albariño 2018

The ‘Braiña de Casa do Sol’ Albariño is the entry-level wine from this estate is beautiful. It’s an electric, high-acid white. There are notes of kefir lime, lemon, and seawater. It has a sandy texture on the palate with a long finish guided by citrusy acidity. The perfect wine for shellfish. Score: 89/100

• Válgame Dios, Toro Crianza 2017

The Válgame Dios, Toro Crianza is the only wine in this small producer’s lineup. This is 100% Tempranillo aged in French oak for 12 months. It’s a full-bodied, rich Toro. There are notes of black cherry, pepper, earth, and mocha from the wood. The wine has generous fruit and acidity with a subtle graphite note. The tannins are tough but not excessively drying. There’s a rustic charm to this wine but in a good way. Score: 89/100 

• El Regajal, Selección Especial 2018

El Regajal has created a fun red wine with their Selección Especial. It is a blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Petit Verdot aged in oak for 12 months. This is a big step up from their Las Retamas and doesn’t show the oaky flavors. Notes of red cherry, cassis, thyme, and pepper. Very complex and elegant nose. Full of fruit and flavors on the palate. Chewy tannins. The grape combination would be hard to guess if this was tasted blind but that doesn’t matter. It’s a delicious red that should develop nicely over the next few years in the bottle. Score: 90+/100

• Bigardo, Vino Tinto Experimental 2018

The Bigardo, Vino Tinto Experimental is a minimal intervention red made from Toro de Tinto (Tempranillo) aged in oak for about six months. Lots of soil, earth, cardamon, black cherry, and fall leaves flavors emerge from the glass. In the glass, it doesn’t act like a normal red from Toro. It’s medium-bodied and more earthy than fruity with bracing acidity and a low level of tannins. Fans of natural reds are going to find a lot to like here. Score: 90/100

• Leyenda del Paramo, ‘El Aprendiz’ Albarín Blanco 2018

The Leyenda del Paramo, ‘El Aprendiz’ is made from rare grape Albarín Blanco. It has bright notes of pineapple, almond, white peach, and clay. It is a fresh white but far from boring. The flavors come on strong and hit you with a blast of white and citrus fruits. The slight, bitter finish on the backend adds to the complexity. High, It’s got the aromas and punch of a Southern Rhône white with Riesling-like, citrusy acidity. Score: 89/100

Do you like our content?

If you like our articles and videos, we’d love for you to be a part of our community on Patreon. The support from Patreon helps our work continue and gives you access to behind the scenes content. It also gives us the chance to get to know you better. Check out the Exotic Wine Travel Patreon page by clicking the photo below.

Thanks to the Spanish Palate for providing tasting samples. 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 Spanish Palate: Bringing Communities Together 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.

Tomac Amfora

Just a 35-minute drive west of Zagreb, is one of Croatia’s top producers. Tomac winery is located in the steep hills of Plešivica. They are known as one of the premier wineries for sparkling wine, which makes up over half of their production. While their sparkling wines are indeed delicious, Tomac Winery also produces fine still wines.

Georgia is famous for its qvevri (amphora) wines and Joško Gravner of Italy is often credited for making amphora wines vogue in the modern wine world. Joško influenced his friend Tomislav Tomac to purchase a few qvevris to experiment. Tomac released their first ‘Amfora’ wine in 2008 and their 2010 ‘Amfora’ Pjenušac Brut Nature (sparkling wine) made the list of “75 Stellar Buys of 2016” in Decanter Magazine.

Tomislav Tomac doesn’t make his ‘Amfora’ wines every vintage. He chooses only the best grapes from the best varieties. “The amphora isn’t a magic box”, he says. “If you use subpar grapes, the wine will be a disaster.”

All of the Tomac ‘Amfora’ wines are fermented and aged in amphora for approximately six months. After that, they are pumped out and aged in large oak casks for at least two years. These wines are made in tiny quantities and you’ll have to travel to Croatia to try them. We think that the most diligent will be pleased with the latest releases.

• Tomac, ‘Amfora’ Pjenušac Brut Nature 2015

This is only the second vintage of the Tomac, ‘Amfora’ Pjenušac Brut Nature. I may like the 2010 a tad more but this is still wonderful. The base wine is fermented and macerated in amphora. Notes of tangerine, apricot, and lemon peel. It hasn’t developed a lot of tertiary notes yet. Chewy texture and a fine bead of bubbles. Modeled after an oxidative style, vintage Champagne, flat out classy stuff. Score: 92+/100

• Tomac, ‘Amfora’ Traminac 2017

The Tomac, ‘Amfora’ Traminac is 100% Gewürtztraminer macerated for six months in amphora and aged 13 months in cask. It’s the first vintage of this wine from Tomac. Bright yellow in color. Notes of honey, sweet peach, dandelion flower, and grass. Although it spends a long time on the skins, it really retains the flavors of the grape. It feels more like a richer, dry white than an orange wine. Floral and musky finish with just a touch of bitterness. Score: 92/100

• Tomac, ‘Amfora’ Sauvignon 2017

The Tomac, ‘Amfora’ Sauvignon Blanc macerated for six months in amphora and aged in a large cask. This is the first vintage of Sauvignon Blanc done in amphora. It’s shy at first and needs air to show the best. It has the perfect blend of Sauvignon Blanc character in an orange wine. Subtle notes of dried kiwi, dried yellow peach, grass, and a touch of chestnut. Full and fluid on the palate with subtle tannins. Vibrant acidity. Score: 91/100

• Tomac, ‘Amfora’ Rajnski Rizling 2016

There have been several vintages of the Tomac, ‘Amfora’ Rajnski Rizling at the latest edition is wonderful. It’s macerated for six months in amphora and aged in large oak casks. This is another fine edition of this wine. There’s plenty of orange peel, fresh apricot, chestnut, and earth flavors. The wine is full-bodied and the tannins are round. Generous acidity thanks to the grape. Score: 91/100

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

The finest selection of
Tomac wines available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Croatian 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!

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 Tomac Amfora: New Releases appeared first on Wine Travel.

There was a time when sweet Liebfraumilch and cheap, bulk wine symbolized the Rheinhessen.

Today things are different. The Rheinhessen may be Germany’s most dynamic wine region. It’s home to some of the most prestigious German wines, like the Keller G-Max Riesling. It is also home to some of the country’s most experimental wines and its most well-regarded sparkling wine house.

Biodynamic Rheinhessen

The Rheinhessen is Germany’s largest wine region, with close to 27,000 hectares of vineyards. Thanks to the dryer and relatively warm (by German standards) climate, this is one of the regions in the country where Biodynamic farming is possible. We visited three producers taking advantage of this Wittmann, Alexander Gysler, and Bianka & Daniel Schmitt.

Wittmann produces classically styled wines while the latter two focus on more boundary-pushing wines. The most extreme examples are Bianka & Daniel Schmitt’s Voodoo Doll and Wild Pony wines. They pay homage to dry Szamorodni from Tokaj, Hungary – Bianka’s native country. Both of these wines have enough gumption to please the geekiest of palates.

The journey to produce extreme biodynamic wines wasn’t easy for Bianka & Daniel Schmitt. The Schmitt estate produced classic German wines before Daniel took over and met Bianka, who is Hungarian. “At first the family wasn’t accepting of our new direction,” she says.

The couple has persevered and the 16-hectare estate is now one of the 80 Demeter certified wineries in Germany. With new plantings of Blaufränkisch and Furmint, the production is set to increase. They regularly sell out and can be found in fairs around the world like RAW.

Rheinhessen Sekt

Of all the sparkling wines we tasted in Germany, the most exciting examples were from two producers in the Rheinhessen. Sekthaus Raumland is considered to be the premier sparkling wine house in all of Germany. They are so well regarded by their peers that many send their wines to Sekthaus Raumland for disgorgement.

The estate is owned by Heide-Rose and Volker Raumland, who both share a passion for Champagne. Volker studied winemaking at the University of Geisenheim and his talents started to shine immediately. “As a student, I made a barrel of sparkling wine and it beat out several Champagnes in a blind tasting,” Volkers says. “It shocked my professors and soon everyone in the class wanted to make sparkling wine.”

Sekthaus Raumland produces only sparkling wine, made by the traditional method. All of their wines stay on the lees for years and see extended bottle aging. They are considered the reference for German sekt.

The sparklers from Raumland and nearby Alexander Gysler are yeasty and finessed. They are dare-we-say, Champagne-like both in texture and flavor. There is a rise in demand for sparkling wine both locally and worldwide, which should continue to push the quality in the Rheinhessen.

Wine Recommendations:

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

• Alexander Gysler, Pet-Nat 2018

Alexander Gysler farms biodynamically in the heart of Rheinhessen. He produces both conventional and quirky wines, like this Pet-Nat made from 100% Pinot Noir. It has a red raspberry color with notes of raspberry, fruit gum, cherry, and yeast. Fine bubbles hold together the refreshing and crisp mouthfeel. A well made Pet-Nat that is easy to drink. Score: 90/100

• Alexander Gysler, Riesling Brut 2015

The Alexandre Gysler Riesling Brut 2015 is a sparkler that spent three years on the lees. There are notes of biscuit, lemon, white peach, and a touch of slate. It has a biscuity finish. The bready notes and fine bead of bubbles make it very Champagne-like. Score: 92/100

• Bianka & Daniel Schmitt, Voodoo Doll 2017

The Bianka & Daniel Schmitt Voodoo Doll is made from 100% Riesling that spent four weeks on the skin aged under the flor. The wine is inspired by dry Tokaji Szamorodni. The wine is aged in 600 L oak and has notes of pumpkin spice, orange peel, and apricot. Round and spicy on the palate, this has chewiness with high acidity and a long finish. Score: 91/100

• Bianka & Daniel Schmitt, Wild Pony 2017

The Bianka & Daniel Schmitt Wild Pony is aged in 600 L oak. It’s a blend of Riesling, Sylvaner, and Muskateller on the skins for six weeks under the flor. Like the Voodoo Doll, this wine is also inspired by dry Tokaji Szamorodini. It’s full-bodied with notes of orange peel, marigold, white pepper, and tomato leaf. The wine isn’t expressive at first but the intensity and complexities build momentum all the way through the finish. Chewy tannins. Score: 92/100

• Sekthaus Raumland, X. Triumvirat Grande Cuvée Brut 2010

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

A fine cuvée from Germany’s highly regarded sparkling wine producer. The Sekthaus Raumland X. Triumvirat Grande Cuvée Brut 2010 is a blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay aged on the lees for eight years. There are notes of biscuit, lemon, stone, white pear, and a touch of barrel. Fine bubbles with a creamy mouthfeel and a long finish. Score: 92+/100

• Sekthaus Raumland, Chardonnay Prestige Brut 2011

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

The Sekthaus Raumland Chardonnay Prestige Brut 2011 spent almost six years on the lees. There are notes of mushroom, biscuit, lemon, and green apple with a creamy bead of bubbles. The biscuit and brioche notes really stand out on this wine. Intense citrus notes accompany the tight and steely finish. Score: 93/100

• Sekthaus Raumland, Blanc de Noirs Brut 2008 

The Sekthaus Raumland Blanc de Noirs Brut 2008 is one of the estate’s reserve wines. It’s made from Pinot Noir. This has 3 g/L RS dosage and is aged on the lees for ten years. There are notes of sour strawberry, lemon, pear drop, biscuit, and mushroom. For an aged wine this is still very fresh ad lively. The wine spreads out on the palate wide and then comes back to a tight and long finish. Score: 93+/100

You Might Also Enjoy:

German Pinot Noir: Is It Worth The Hype?

Do you like our content?

If you like our articles and videos, we’d love for you to be a part of our community on Patreon. The support from Patreon helps keep the content coming and you access to behind the scenes content. It also gives us the chance to get to know you better. Check out the Exotic Wine Travel Patreon page by clicking the photo below.

We covered our own accommodation, transportation, and visits for this article. 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 Dynamic Rheinhessen appeared first on Wine Travel.

Visiting an old friend. That’s what if felt like to revisit the Fruška Gora region and the Vojvodina Wine Show 2019 in Serbia. Fruška Gora was the first region Charine and I visited in the Balkans.

You can get a glimpse of our first visit below (thank goodness our videos have gotten better).

Fruška Gora is an 80 km long, low-lying mountain range that sticks out in pancake-flat Vojvodina, Serbia. Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius Probus ordered vines to be planted on Fruška Gora in the 3rd century AD. Despite the long history of grape growing, Serbia’s winemaking suffered during the socialist times of Yugoslavia. All growers were forced to send their grapes to the state cooperative, where quantity (not quality) was emphasized.

Modern winemaking began to take shape on Fruška Gora in the late 1990s. The region is the most experimental in Serbia. There are white, red, orange, and sparkling wines being made on Fruška Gora. Everything from garage wineries to large-scale production to biodynamic farming can be found.

“Fruška Gora is not a huge region, but it does have a lot of different climates and soils”, says Igor Luković, editor in chief on the Serbian wine magazine Vino & Fino. “Fruśka Goa it is the wine district with the highest number of registered wineries in Serbia”, Igor adds. “There you can find crispy whites alongside juicy international blends, some exceptional orange wines, and rare indigenous grapes like Seduša.”

Fruška Gora is an east-to-west mountain range that hugs the Danube. Because of this, there is real potential for excellent wine growing. However, it’s still a young region (in the modern sense). Many producers are still figuring out who they are and where they want to go.

Unfortunately, all of this potential is not fully realized yet. Many producers still have to work on improving the quality of their wines, especially so they can command the relatively high-prices in a tough Serbian market. On the positive side, there is a handful of brands that keep raising the bar every vintage. Some of these producers are crafting brilliant wines.

Serbia has fantastic terroir and real potential for fine wine (especially with the local grape Prokupac and Chardonnay). Let’s see if Fruška Gora can lead the way. I look forward to continually follow their progress.

Wine Recommendations:

• Bjelica, ‘Babaroga’ Chardonnay 2018 

The Bjelica Babaroga Chardonnay is a barrel-fermented white with excellent oak integration. Bacon fat, melon, yellow peach, and yogurt. It’s creamy and rich in the mouth. This is structured and should improve with bottle age. The use of oak keeps getting better vintage after vintage with this producer. The Barbaroga shows the high potential of Chardonnay in Serbia. Score: 91+/100

• Zvonko Bogdan Cuvée No. 1 2017

New winemaker and a new level of quality for Zvonko Bogdan. This vintage of the Zvonko Bogdan Cuvée No. 1 eschews Frankovka. The 2017 is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. Lots of cherry, spice, fall leaves, and earthy notes. Full-bodied with a rich texture and fine tannins. This has length and depth and should improve even more in the bottle. Score: 90/100 

• Vista Hill, White Reserve 2012

Vista Hill wines available here.

Vista Hill was formerly known as Molovin winery. The Vista Hill White Reserve is made from 100% Grašac (Welschriesling/Graševina). It’s a developed white and smells almost sweet. Notes of honey, marigold, baked apple, white apricot. Impressive length and texture thanks to the bottle age and a gingery finish. Score: 90+/100 

• Belo Brdo Marselan 2015

The Belo Brdo Marselan is aged in oak for 18 months. There are notes of strawberry, black raspberry, pepper, and earth. It has a velvety and seductive nose. This is tart and medium-bodied. It’s a food-friendly, peppery red. For a wine that is listed at 15% abv, the alcohol is not felt. Score: 89/100 

• Šijački, Seduša 2017

Šijački single-handedly revived the grape Seduša and are currently the only producer working with it. The Šijački is a cool and quirky wine aged in oak for six months. There are notes of black plum, mulberry, twigs, and pepper. It smells big and ripe but is surprisingly medium-bodied and elegant. Fine mouthfeel with slightly grippy tannins. Put this wine on the dinner table and watch the conversations start flowing. Score: 89/100

• Vinum, Frankovka 2017 

The Vinum Frankovka is made in small quantities but is worth seeking out. It’s aged for six months in used oak. The flavors include black cherry, fall leaves, pepper, and mushroom. Full-bodied and delicious, it is rich and elegant at the same time. Chewy tannins and a persistent and subtly complex finish. Score: 90/100

• Kovačević, Morava Amfora 2017

The Kovačević Morava Amfora is an orange wine, macerated for six months in Georgian qvevri (amphora) and aged in oak for one year. Bright orange peel flavors. Notes of yellow apricot, marigold, tangerine peel, and dried flowers. Very clean and well done. Full-bodied and tangy, the tannins are firm but not over-aggressive. It has a sensual texture and long finish. Clean and well done. Score: 91/100

• Bikicki, Uncensored 2017

Bikicki wines available here.

The Bikicki Uncensored 2018 won a gold medal for “Best Orange Wine” at the 2019 Balkans International Wine Competition. It’s made from Röter Traminer and spends seven days on the skins. It has notes of orange peel, peach, dried apricot, and yellow flower. It’s full-bodied and chewy. The tannins are a bit drying at the end. But it’s clean and well-done stuff. Score: 90/100 

• Quet, Italijanski Rizling 2012

Quet is the brand name of Fruškogorski Vinogradi. The Quet Italijanksi Rizling is made from Grašac (Welschriesling). This is a fresh wine, not made to age but it has come along well. There are notes of almond, apricot, dried lemon peel, and a touch of honey. Full and developed body, it has tingling acidity and hides the 14.5% alcohol well. Spicy finish. Score: 90/100

• Deurić, Aksiom 2016

The Deurić Aksiom is a blend of Probus (cross of Kadarka and Cabernet Sauvignon), Marselan, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. It’s a big-bodied red with fine tannins and notes of dark fruit, cherry, stems, tobacco, and graphite. It’s very much like an Alentejo red blend, unique yet familiar at the same time. Score: 89/100

• Tri Međe i Oblak, Vagabundo White 2018

This winery keeps improving vintage after vintage. The Tri Međe i Oblak Vagabundo White is a blend of 60% Sauvignon Bland and 40% Grašac. The Sauvignon Blanc is barrel fermented and the Grašac is made in stainless steel. There’s oak on the nose but it is handled really well. There are also notes of winter melon, white peach, yogurt, and lemon peel. Relatively full bodied white with texture. Long and spicy finish. Score: 90+/100

• Dukay-Sagmeister, ‘Kew’ Kadarka 2016

The Dukay-Sagmeister ‘Kew’ Kadarka is an elegant and pretty wine. Small plot, less than 1 hectare on Fruška Gora. This is a lighter colored red wine with notes of dried strawberry, red raspberry, soil, and pepper. The nose is strikingly similar to good Pinot Noir. Silky mouthfeel, almost Pinot Noir-like at first. The flavors fill the palate and the high acidity keeps this wine juicy and soft. Long and spicy finish. Score: 92/100

• Chichateau, Fabula Mala 2017

Find or buy at wineandmore.com

This is a fabulous vintage of this entry-level red from Chichateau. The Chichateau Fabula Mala is a blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a rich and unfiltered red that overdelivers in its price category. Notes of black cherry, bacon fat, capsicum, tobacco, and pepper. Full bodied and rich with several layers of texture and a big spike of fruit before the long finish. Score: 90+/100

• Trivanović, Optimus 2018

The Trivanović Optimus is a fresh, single-vineyard white wine made from Grašac Beli. This isn’t overly complex but it is clean, well-made, and delicious. It should be the standard for fresh Grašac wines. Notes of melon, white pear, lime, and a touch of yogurt. Crisp and juicy, this is simply a pleasure to drink. Score:88/100

• Erdevik, ‘Ex Cathedra’ Sauvignon Blanc 2016

Find or buy at wineandmore.com

I prefer the Erdevik ‘Omnibus Lector’ Chardonnay a tad more, but the Erdevik ‘Ex Cathedra’ Sauvignon Blanc is also worth noting. This is a barrel-fermented white wine that has fantastic oak integration. This is a riper (but not obnoxious) Sauvignon Blanc with notes of peach, kiwi, and apricot with a touch of grass & yogurt. Full-bodied without the sharp acidity that can bother many drinkers. Score: 89+/100

Our travel and accommodation were provided by Udruzenjevinara-Srem/Fruška Gora. 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 Serbian Wine: Fruška Gora Terroir appeared first on Wine Travel.