In Slovenia a dear friend of mine – Jean is reviving this tradition and producing wine like the antique Georgians did. Yesterday I spent a wonderful day at Kabaj estate and today I found this video about the making of Amfora. I’m still under a strong impression after yesterdays tasting and can assure you that wine done in this way is special. If you close your eyes and taste it, it will feel as tasting a full bodied red wine. A detailed description of Amfora is on the way, but for now enjoy this truly educational video.

You can find more about winemaking using this method on Xeloba Kartuli’s website.

If you’re interested in visiting Kabaj estate here are the coordinates. Don’t forget to check-in.

Malvazija - Kocjančič, 2007

Hello wine lovers!

I am in a pleasant company at this time and I want to share it with you. I’m talking about Malvazija 2007, produced by the Kocjančič family. After a 24-hour, temperature controlled maceration in open vinificators 50% of it laid in inox and 50% in oak barrels for 12 months. It has 13,5 vol. % of alcohol.

Appearence:
The wine is of a straw yellow color, with golden nuances, it is crystal clear and rather dense.

Smell:
It is rather to intense and fine on the nose. You can find flowery nuances of acacia, grown fruit like pineapple, citurses, hazelnuts and spices like liquorice. I could also smell a bit of honey nuance. Definitely of a reach bouquet.

Taste:
It is dry, rather hot which means the alcohol is well incorporated and of a rather softness. It is fresh, mineral and rather balanced with freshness and mineralty prevailing. This wine is elegant, intense, full-bodied and has a lastingly aftertaste.

It is definitely a harmonic wine and properly mature. It has a lot of life in it.

Final thoughts:
This is an elegant, well-structured Malvazija with reach aromas. In mouth it surprises with a wave of freshness only to open the palate to the mineralty and its body.

I’d recommend this wine with seafood or white meat.

I visited Kocjančič vineyards twice last year and always had a terrific time with Tadej. Here’s some moments I caught with my camera, hope you’ll get a nice insight at where and how their wine is produced.

Malvazija - Rodica, 2007

Hello wine lovers!

Yesterday was warm and sunny, just the right one for a sip of the wine I’m about to describe. I’m talking about Malvazija 2007, produced by Rodica family.

Lets start right away…

Appearance:
This wine is of a straw yellow color, with golden reflections, it is crystal-clear and rather dense.

Smell:
It is has a fine and intense aroma, ranging from flowers like acacia and camomile
towards fruit like pineapple and citruses, with a rather rich bouquet.

Taste:
It is dry, rather hot and rather soft, while on the other side you sense its freshness and mineralty, prevailing on the balance. It’s an elegant medium to full-bodied wine, with an intense taste and a rather long finish.

This is a harmonic wine, that is properly mature.

It definitely is a lovely Malvazija and if speaking of combining it with food you won’t mistake serving it with seafood (mussels, scampi, various fish fillets).

Hello wine lovers!

As promised here’s some news from the Malvazija tour. I hear all stops of the tour have been a total success so far and if you still haven’t attended any, here’s a post that will surely make you change your mind…

This time the tour stopped in Ljubljana at spaghetteria & pizzeria Favola. The winemakers present were Vinakoper, Ražman, Korenika & Moškon and Mahnič while a special guest chef has been enlisted for the occasion. I’m talking about Peter Patajac from Ruj inn. The atmosphere was intimate and quite an audience of thirsty and hungry people gathered.

As aperitif we got served a sparkling wine and could only guess what it was. In the end we guessed right, it was a sparkling Malvazija which is a new wine, coming from Vinakoper and is produced via Charmat procedure.

The evening started with Ingrid Mahnič’s introduction to the Malvazija festival and tour. Ingrid is the president of the Association of winemakers of Slovene Istra and one of the responsibles of the festival. The effort that she and the Association invested is having a huge impact on the perception of Malvazija in Slovenia, Italy and Croatia.

End of the introduction, loud applause and here they were, waiters with bottles of Ražman’s 2008 Malvazija and the evenings first dish – Mussels, prawns and leek tagliata with 25 years old balsamic vinegar Solai Vecchi.

Malvazija – Ražman, 2008

The wine is of a straw yellow color with golden nuances. It has rather intense, fine aromas of acacia, camomile, liquorice and mature fruit (pineapple, agrumi). It is dry, rather balanced with freshness and minerality prevailing on the palate. It’s an elegant, intense, full-bodied and well structured wine with a rather long aftertaste.

The wine kept pace with mussels and prawns and if talked in a racing language surpassed them, it also had an interesting play with balsamic vinegar and leek.

Malvazija Capris – Vinakoper, 2008

This wine is of a straw yellow color with golden nuances. It has fine, intense aromas of matured fruit (pineapple, banana, agrumi), acacia and also some wild berry nuances. It is dry, rather balanced, elegant with a rather long aftertaste. It is a rather harmonic and matured wine.

The dish that accompanied this wine consisted of Cream polenta with cicory, filet of fresh seabass Fonda, a slice of speck with a bit of pelati reduction San Marzano. Peter Patajac explained us how he prepared the dish, while Irena Fonda introduced their seabass and how they produce some of the best fish in Jadran.

Malvazija – Korenika & Moškon, 2007

Matej Korenika presented the Korenika & Moškon wineries, the philosophy which they follow and how their Malvazija is produced.

The wine is of a straw yellow, with golden nuances color and is rather dense. It has fine, intense nuances of mature fruit (pineapple, agrumi, banana), flowers (acacia), making it rather rich on aromas. The wine is dry, rather balanced, elegant, full-bodied, and well structured. It has a long aftertaste.

The wine gently evolved in mouth and it was a perfect pair with Lambkin cutlet with bio barley risotto, radicchio tardivo, olive oil and Piranean salt flower.

Malvazija – Mahnič, 2006

Ingrid Mahnič presented her Malvazija which is medium dry. The wine is of a golden color and is dense. It has rich, intense and fine aromas of matured fruit (pineapple, agrumi) and flowers (acacia). It is medium dry, elegant, rather intense, balanced and full-bodied.

The wine went perfectly with the dessert – mousse with half-candied oranges, orange sponge-cake and coffee beans, leaving in mouth a nice orange aftertaste.

Ingrid also prepared us a surprise. She brought a sweet Malvazija 2000, which she only has about 12 bottles left now. The grapes were attacked by Botrytis and the result is a sweet, dense wine of a golden color. The aromas are rich, fine and intense mainly of matured and dry fruit (pineapple, orange), acacia honey, lacquer, … It is elegant, full-bodied, well-structured and has a long aftertaste. A harmonic wine, which still has a lot of life ahead.

To sum it all the evening offered a nice introspective into winemakers philosophy the Malvazija’s evolution and the trends in its production. I hope this post convinces you to visit a stop of Malvazija tour or to come to the festival.

Stay tuned and cheers!

Well, as mentioned in my previous post the Malvazija tour started and I’m hearing some great responses, and because of the forthcoming Malvazija festival I’ll dedicate the month of March to this white variety. In fact I’ll start right away…

You’ll find it also under these names: Malvazija bela, Malvasia, Malvasia d’Istria bianca, Malvasie blanche… In Slovenia it represents a variety of white wine and is mostly grown in Slovene Istria, you’ll also find it in Karst, Goriška Brda and Vipavska valley districts. Malvazija wine is also produced in Italy, Croatia, Corsica, the Iberian Peninsula, the Canary Islands, the island of Madeira, California, Australia and Brazil. Grapes are used to produce white, more rarely red wines, dessert wines and fortified wines of the same name. Sometimes are used as part of a blend of grapes such as in Vin Santo.

It is believed that the vine is of ancient origin, most likely originating in Greece. It is said that its name is given after a medieval fortress named Monemvasia, which was situated on a small peninsula off the east coast of the Peloponnese, Laconia. During the Middle Ages, the Venetians would become so prolific in the trading of “Malvasia wine” that merchant wine shops in Venice were known as malvasie. There’s also a competing theory, which says that the name is derived from the district of Malevizi, near the city of Heraklion on Crete.

Image kindly borrowed at Wikipedia

The grape is of a bit curvy and explicitly cylindrical shape and usually long about 15 – 20 cm. The berry is of a fairly yellow color, when full grown it gets golden nuances.

Malvazija wine is dry of a golden yellow color with a distinct quite intense herbal or fruity buquet of grown fruit, banana, acacia flower, … It is of a fresh, full bodied and usually balanced palate with quite an aftertaste. In good vintages also a dessert wine is produced of it, named Mištela. It is said that that the most varietal Malvazija is to be found in the continental part of Slovene Istria Labor.

Well I hope the article was useful and you enjoyed it. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask.

Cheers!

It’s been a while but I’ve been busy lately, hence the luck of updates. OK, let me start this years posting with an invitation to the Malvazija festival or as the official name goes ”Malvazija the Mediterranean noble taste”. It is already the 12th edition and is organized by the Association of winemakers from Slovene Istra. The festival is a 2 day event and is held March the 28th and 29th at the Manzioli palace, Izola.

The festival features winemakers from Slovenia’s wine region Primorje, with guests from Croatia and Italy. Visitors will have not only the pleasure to taste Malvazija but also to join workshops and get acquainted with the variety and learn how it combines with food.

That the Malvazija is well represented shows also the vast range of events named The Malvazija Tour which starts about a month before the festival and continue until it’s end. The Malvazija tour features events at restaurants where you’ll be able to enjoy Malvazija with the proper dish and learn something abotu it from the winemaker itself.

Here’s the list of events:

February the 25th at 7 PM

Restaurant Pikol – Nova Gorica, winemakers present: Silveri, Rojac, Santomas, Rodica Truške
Price: 40 Eur
Info and reservations: please call +386 5 302 25 62

February the 26th at 7 PM

Restaurant Ondina – Portorose, winemakers present: Montis, Santomas, Kocjančič Truške, Roja
Price: 38 Eur
Info and reservations: kuhinja.ondina@gmail.com

4th of March at 7 PM

Mahorčič Inn – Rodik, winemakers present: Rodica Truške, Martisa, Steras, Joško Renčel
Price: 38 Eur
Info and reservations: please call +386 5 680 04 00

5th of March at 7 PM

Restaurant Scabar – Trieste, winemakers present: MonteMoro, Martisa, Mahnič
Price: 35 Eur
Info and reservations: please call +39 040 810 368

9th of March at 7 PM

Villa Rosetta – Savudria, winemakers present: MonteMoro, Montis, Coronica, Degrassi
Price 35 Eur
Info and reservations: please call + 385 527 25 710, info@majda.it

11th March, 7 PM

Restaurant Majda – Gorizia, winemakers present: Steras, Marega, Bordon
Price: 35 Eur
Info and reservations: please call +39 048 130 871

12th March, 5 PM and 7 PM

Hotel Tartini – Piran, winemakers present: Mahnič, MonteMoro, Štule, Vinakoper
Price: 35 Eur
Info and reservations: please call +386 5 67 11 000, info@hotel-tartini-piran.com

16th March, 7 PM

Pizzeria Favola – Ljubljana, winemakers present: Mahnič, Ražman, Korenika & Moškon, Vinakoper
Price: 34,50 Eur
Info and reservations: please call +386 1 566 20 94

18th March, 7 PM

Villa Andor – Ankaran, winemakers present: Klabjan, Robi and Dorjano Korenika, Brič, Bordon
Price: 35 Eur
Info and reservations: please call + 386 5 615 50 00, villa@andor.si

19th March, 7 PM

Wine bar Štrigon – Portorose, winemakers present: Steras, Pucer, Silveri, Montis
Info and reservations: please call +386 5 6740340

23rd March, 7 PM

Restaurant Skipper – Koper, winemakers present: Steras, Rodica Truške, Mahnič, Markovič, Markežič, Štule
Info and reservations: please call +386 5 626 18 10

25th March, 7 PM

Restaurant Mediterraneo – Izola, winemakers present: Štule, Pucer, Vinakoper
Price: 30 Eur
Info and reservations: please call +386 5 641 7444, info@mediterraneo.si

26th March, 7 PM

Restaurant Marina – Portorose, winemakers present: Mahnič, Vinakoper, Černe, Markovič
Info and reservations: +386 5 676 13 17, restaurant@marinap.si

Whole March

You ‘ll be able to taste Malvazija the whole month of March in Ljubljana at Wine cellars of Slovenia.

As you can see the festival is quite an event and the tour is startind today. Hope to see you somewhere on the road!

Cheers!

I left you with the first part of the Slovenian Wine Festival impressions, where I presented winemakers and wines from wine region Podravje and Posavje. I left a wine region out of the report for a reason…

Wine region Primorska was represented by the biggest number of winemakers. The region has almost 7.000 ha of wineyards, which is 40% of all Slovenia’s winemaking surfafce. The region is divided into 4 wine districts; Slovenska Istra and Kras (Karst) – both districts have over 50% of red varieties (I’m sure you’ve heard of Kraški Teran), Goriška Brda or Slovenian Collio and Vipavska valley where Slovenias only 2 autochthonous varieties Zelen and Pinela are grown.

Selected wines Bordon

Mojca Bordon was my neighbor and a lovely company at the festival. It is always nice to taste their medium dry E.Vin Rose 2008, while this time visitors could also taste Malvazija 2008, Refošk 2008 and E.Vin Rose – straw wine 2005 with a nice Botritys touch on the aroma.

MonteMoro

Working with Matjaž is always a pleasure, so when he called I didn’t hesitate to accept the invitation. Matjaž was presenting his Malvazija 2008, Malvazija aMorus 2007, Chardonnay 2008, Refošk 2008 and Refošk aMorus 2007. MonteMoro divides its range into 2 segments; a fresh traditionally produced line is presented by Malvazija 2008, Chardonnay 2008 and Refošk 2008, while the aMorus line means that wine is marked by a longer maceration and then grown for 12 months in 225 and 400 liter oak barrels, when bottled it rests for 3 months before entering the market. Visitors liked Malvazija 2008, Malvazija aMorus 2007, Refošk aMorus 2007 and Chardonnay 2008. I was impressed with the Chardonnay 2008, the wine is made from younger vines, with a load not bigger than 0,5 kg per vine. The result is a fresh, medium dry, well structured and quite balanced wine.

Rojac wine

Uh, the chats I had with Sara, Primož and Uroš. Can’t wait to meet the guys again and of course taste their Stari d’or red 2005. The wine is an impressive kind of Merlot, Cabernet sauvignon, Syrah and Refošk, making it a full bodied and well structured wine, with intense aromas of mature red fruit but you can also sense jam nuances, and spices, namely black pepper. Their Renero 2005 presents also a huge potential and it is part of an experiment of taking Refošk to the next level – as Primož presented it. Not to mention ther Malvazija 2008, Stari d’or white 2006 and Aurelia would also be an injustice.

Čotar wines

Starting the representatives of Krast with Vasja Čotar. Their wines, white and red, are made after a longer maceration process and then aged in oak barrels. This time the wines presented were Vitovska 2006, Malvazija 2005, Teran 2007 and Merlot 2003. Unfortunately at that time I only managed to try their sparkling Rdeče, made from Karst grown Refosco grapes.

Štemberger wines

Štemberger winemakers come from Karst. Their vineyards; placed on the border between the Karst region and Vipavska valley, present a powerful combination and at Štemberger are trying to take the advantages from both terroirs. I’m sure I’ll have the chance to write more about them on my blog. The wines presented were Zelen 2008, Chardonnay 2005, Cabernet sauvignon 2007 and Merlot 2007.

Guerila wines

The autochthonous Zelen 2008 and Pinela 2008, Rose 2007, Roma 2006, Rika 2008 and Castra Rose all well structured wines each with a different story and of course the charisma…

Sončni škol wines

I met with wines of Sončni škol for the firs time and got intrigued. Definitely can’t wait to try them again. The wines presented were Klarnica 2007, Pinela 2006, Pinot noir 2007, Rebula 2006 and a rose made entirely of Cabernet sauvignon.

Mansus Makovec wines

The wines presented were Klarnica 2008, Sauvignonasse 2008, Barbera rose 2008, Merlot 2007, Klarnica 2007. Watch out for their Klarnica 2007, it impressed me.

Čarga 1767 – Viticulture and winemaking

I’m writing this still under the influence of the wonderful time, spent at their mansion past Saturday, but I’ll leave this to another post. The wines presented were Donna Regina sparkling wine, Rebula 2008, Sauvignon 2008, Pinot noir 2005, Cabernet franc selection 2006 and his young wine Vinovo. All this respectfully presented by mr. Erzetič.

Unfortunately the mass at other winemakers from Slovenian Collio was unbearable, I could merely take some pictures at some stands, but couldn’t take any notes.

I then went on to try wines of Prinčič with an outstanding Mulit white 2006 (the wine is a kind with Viognier, a variety they are introducing in Slovenia), Blažič with Blaž white 2006, Peršolja wines Rebula 2008, Edi Simčič with an intriguing Malvazija 2007 with aromas of conifer trees, Valter Sirk‘s Chardonnay 2007 and Ščurek‘s Chardonnay 2008.

At the end of the festival I managed to try Šumenjak‘s wines. The wines presented were Yellow muscat 2008, Welsch Riesling 2008, Pinot noir 2007 and Sauvignon 2008. Šumenjak wines come from the wine region Podravje.

Here’s also some pictures of the venue at hotel Union:

I definitely got a lot of impressions and can surely say the festival presented a nice introspective into Slovenian wine – culture. If you are a foreign visitor and wine enthusiast you definitely need to come and visit the festival next year.

Cheers!

It’s been a while after the festival and here I am, with a brief report and the first part of mine impressions…

As you noticed in my previous post, the festival was divided into 2 venues. The venue at hotel Union was mainly reserved for the promotion of winemakers that are part of the Family estate association, there was also some room for wines of foreign countries and other major resellers presenting their catalog range. Unfortunately I couldn’t make it to the venue at hotel Slon, so I can’t say much about that.

On the 2^nd day I took an hour of time to visit the stands. Matjaž, winemaker MonteMoro replaced me for that time, but unfortunately it happened to be when it was most crowded. None the less I still managed to do a quick sip & spit tour. Even though, due to the lack of time I didn’t manage to stop at every stand so, here is just a few of the impressions… I must also apologize to readers and winemakers for the lack of descriptions but I’m sure I”ll be writing in details about some of these wines shortly.

I started tasting wine from wine region Podravje. The region is known for its white varieties, although red varieties are also becoming notable. None the less the world’s oldest vine comes from this district. You’ll find dry as well as medium dry wines, that have a distinct freshness ideal for ageing. Non the less the region is known for its Predicats.

Miro wines

Miro was presenting his Furmint 2008, Blue frankinja 2008, XL 2007 and Fuga mundi 2006. Miro wines are divided into two segments; if you’re prefer fresh wines, with distinct varietal notes then look for his orange marked screwcapped bottles. For lovers of oak barrells grown wine the color to watch is black. Of course a special packaging is reserved for his Botrytis marked Fuga mundi.

Verus vineyards

You probably read Jancis Robinsons impressions about their Furmint 2007. This time visitors had the chance to try Chardonnay 2008, Welsch Riesling 2008, Sauvignon 2008 and Pinot Gris 2008. Verus wines have distinct varietal aromas, are well structured and quite ballanced. I got impressed by their Chardonnay, wich was partialy aged in oak barells.

Kupljen wine

The atmosphere at Kupljen wines was really happy, unfortunatelly due to lack of time I stoped only to do a quick sip & spit and to take some pictures. The wines dislayed were Welsch Riesling 2008, Furmint 2008, Sirius 2008 and Pinot noir Selection 2007.

Gaube wine

I already mentioned Gaube wines on my blog. This time I could try his Pinot gris 2008, Kerner 2008, Chardonnay 2008 and Welschriesling 2008.

Steyer wines

Quick stop to try their 8 cuvee 2008, Steyer Mark cuvee 2007, Gewurtztraminer 2008 and Gewurtztraminer extreme 2007.

Joannes wines

I interrupted the chat between winemaker mr. Protner and Slovenian Collio’s winemaker mr. Sirk to try his Sauvignon 2008, Welschriesling 2007, Welschriesling 2006 and Pinot gris – rose 2008. I must say I got impressed by his Welschriesling 2006 and Pinot gris – rose.

Graben wines

Unfortunately I didn’t take any pictures at Graben wines, the only representatives of the wine region Posavje. They were presenting Pinot gris 2008, Traminer 1998, Gamay 2003 and Blue frankinja 2004. I found the last two wines quite interesting.

This is it for now, stay tuned for more and cheers!

Image kindly borrowed at MonteMoro homepage

Hello wine lovers!

I’d like to invite you to the 12^th Slovenian Wine Festival. It will be held this Thursday, the 19^th and Friday, the 20^th of November at Hotel Slon and Grand hotel Union.

The festival is one of the leading wine events in Slovenia and it presents a great chance to meet and have a chat with Slovene winemakers. Of course you’ll also be able to taste their wine !

For more info click here.

If by any chance you find yourself at the event, come visit me. I’ll be helping at MonteMoro‘s stand.

See you!

Here I am, back with a new post. Today I had the pleasure to taste some young wine. The invite came from Jure, a colleague from the sommelier course, who is working at the House of good wine – Koželj. Of course I couldn’t miss the chance, so there I was; 5 PM, a cold, rainy evening, with a lovely and warm atmosphere in the house…

You could say the tasting was divided in two parts. On the first floor it was all about wine region Podravje. There were five winemakers, each presenting his youngsters. There they were Johannes presenting Zeleni silvanec (slovene for Grüner Silvaner), Non + Ultra – Rose and Non + Ultra – Red; Gaube presenting his Prvenec; Falot with his young Muscat; Valdhuber and his Mladič; and Steyer with his Ranina.

On the other floor the atmosphere was red, red for the younglings from Primorska. There were Erzetič’s – Mladivo, Ščurek‘s – Medana novo and Kristančič‘s – Medana novo.

Johannes – Zeleni silvanec was my first try. The color is straw yellowish with a green shade. The nose is rather intense of fresh fruit and white flowers and is rather reach. The wine is dry, of a rather freshness and of a notable minerality on the palate. It is rather balanced with a tendency to the harder side.

I continued with Gaube – Prvenec. The wine is a kind of Muscat Ottonel (1/3) and Rizvanec (2/3). It is of a straw yellowish color with a green shade. The nose is rather intense, varietal and of fresh fruit (banana, vine peach). On the palate is rather balanced, but you sense it needs time to develop. Lets not forget we’re talking about young wine .

Falot – young Muscat was my next try. Straw yellowish color with green shades. The nose is rather intense, nuances of fresh fruit but less varietal. It is medium dry, with a rounder palate. The winemaker is brother of Valdhuber, which wine I tried next. Falot is known for its Muscat, but now they are expending their range to other varieties.

Valdhuber – Mladič is a kind of Kerner, Rizvanec and Yellow Muscat. It is of a straw yellowish color with green shades. The nose is rather refined, varietal and of fresh fruit (vine peach, banana) and is rather reach. It is medium dry, of a noticeable freshness and minerality, rather balanced with tendencies to the harder side.

Steyer – Ranina was perhaps the most intriguing (in a positive way) wine i tried today, it opened a question after another, but I’ll leave them opened for now. Ranina is a variety of vine. The wine is of a straw yellowish color. You notice fresh fruit and white flowers in the aroma. The wine is dry with a noticeable minerality and freshness.

After tasting all the white wine I returned to Joannes to try its Non + Ultra Rose. The wine is a kind of Pinot noir and Žametna črnina. It is of a lighter pink color. On the nose you can notice fresh fruit. It is dry, with a noticeable freshness and minerality. It is rather balanced with tendencies to the harder side.

Non + Ultra Red was the last wine of Podravje’s winemakers. It is a kind of Pinot Noir and Gamay.  It is of a purple red color. On the nose it has nuances of fresh forest fruit (blackberry, currants). It is dry on the palate, mineral and of a rather freshness.

Time to change the floor and try the red wines from wine region Primorska.

Erzetič – Mladivo was my first try. The wine is of a purple red color. On the nose it is quite intense, with nuances of forest undergrowth, currants… It is dry, of a moderate freshness and noticeable minerality. It is between full to thin bodied. You sense the wine is young and has yet to calm and balance, on the palate is like a wild horse pounding to the harder side.

Ščurek – Medana novo, a ruby color with garnet nuances. The nose is rather reach, intense to quite intense with aromas of blackberries, cherry, black currants, forest undergrowth… On the palate is dry, quite soft, of a noticeable freshness and tannins, quite balanced.

Kristančič – Medana novo was the last wine of the evening. It is of a ruby color with garnet nuances. Quite rich on the nose, with aromas of forest undergrowth, currants, cherry, blueberries… A dry wine on the palate, quite soft, of noticeable freshness, tannins and minerals. Quite balanced with tendencies to the harder side.

Today’s tasting was an interesting introspective to what we can expect out of the year 2009. I’m sure we’re heading into a wild and interesting season, so stay tuned for more.

Cheers!