Pikolit, 2009 – Ščurek

Aaaah the Pikolit, a grape that almost fell out of the radar, as its growing is demanding. It tends to develop floral abortion – a malady where the flowering buds don’t develop properly and often fall off resulting in smaller crops. You can see an amazing image of the grape here.

You’re probably familiar with Italy’s DOCG Colli orientali del Friuli Picolit often vinified in sweet or medium sweet versions, but you can find it also in Slovenia. Here it is spelled PiKolit though and you will find also dry versions of it. An interesting thing is that you find Pikolit wine also in the Vipava valley district but usually there it is used to name sweet wine from dried grapes – though some producers planted recently some vineyards with it.

The Pikolit I’m writing about is a 2009 vintage and Ščurek family produces it with pride and loving attention, as they do with all their wine. The grapes passed through a 24 – hour maceration and the wine was laid to rest in new acacia and oak barrels for 18 months.

In the eye it pictures with a golden yellow color with intense borders shading of an amber color, crystal and on the denser side.

On the nose you are hit with intense, very fine aromas of ripe yellow fruit like quince, European pear, dried flowers notes like acacia, with a herbal note of sage, spices – vanilla and I even sensed some scents of hay, definitely a very rich bouquet.

In the mouth it reveals to be a medium dry, warm and soft, just to be followed by its freshness and tastiness. The play of sides is really interesting as it presents a nice balance in its sweetness and freshness though the hard side prevails, but just for a little.

The wine is mature and it will be kept at life for quite some time by both alcohol –  measuring 14,5 %, and freshness. A harmonious wine, ideal to be either enjoyed alone, or with aged cheese or why not trying it with a nice dish of gnocchi with truffles …

If you’re in China, you can meet in person Stojan Ščurek and with him you’ll also have the chance to try Steyer and Santomas wines from Slovenia. They are at the Langham Place – Hong Kong today with the World’s Leading Wines Event, tomorrow they’ll be in Shanghai and on the 1^st November in Beijing.

You can find this exact Pikolit here (with international shipping).