Valentin, Author at Bufolin.com

Vino Kupljen – Šipon Mihalovci, 2019

July 24, 2021ValentinWineFurmint, Podravje, Šipon, Štajerska Slovenija, Vino KupljenLeave a Comment

Let’s indulge tonight in one of the greatest expressions of Šipon I’ve had the pleasure of tasting lately. It’s Samo Kupljen’s Šipon Mihalovci. An expression of Šipon, or Furmint as it goes by his international name, fermented in stainless vats…

Continue reading ➞

Benčina – Zelen, 2020

July 23, 2021ValentinWineBenčina, Primorska, Vipava valley, ZelenLeave a Comment

Time to return to the Benična family to look at their classically produced, varietal expression of Zelen – the autochthonous grape variety of Vipava valley. The Benčina family is located in the village of Lože in upper Vipava Valley. They…

Continue reading ➞

Ščurek – Merlot Up, 2016

July 22, 2021July 22, 2021ValentinWineBrda, Merlot, Primorska, ŠčurekLeave a Comment

Tonight we’ll indulge in a real treat. We’re tasting the latest addition to Ščurek‘s prestigious line of wines, the red king Merlot Up. This wine is born by a strict selection of berries from the best plots, with extensive maturation…

Continue reading ➞

Sutor – Malvazija, 2016

July 21, 2021ValentinWineMalvasia, Primorska, Sutor, Vipavska dolinaLeave a Comment

Time to return to Sutor tonight to taste a marvellously produced malvasia. This time, we’ll have a look at their refined, barrel matured presentation of a variety that produces some outstanding expressions in the Vipava valley. Grapes come from a…

Continue reading ➞

Gjerkeš – Woodstock, 2018

July 20, 2021ValentinWineChardonnay, Gjerkeš, Podravje, Prekmurje, Štajerska SlovenijaLeave a Comment

Anybody up for some good ol’ rock ‘n roll? Well, we are, and the case calls for a wine capturing the essence of this rebellious spirit. We’re in Prekmurje, where Leon Gjerkeš and his family produce some excellent wines, including…

Continue reading ➞

Colnar – Collis, 2017

July 19, 2021ValentinWineChardonnay, Colnar, Dolenjska, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, WelschrieslingLeave a Comment

Tonight we’re moving to the Dolenjska region, to the slopes of Trška Gora, where the Colnar family shapes their winemaking and gastronomic story. We’ll be tasting a unique white blend tonight, marked by two years of maturation in a large…

Continue reading ➞

Kristančič – Rebula Artwork, 2017

July 18, 2021ValentinWineBrda, Kristančič, Primorska, rebulaLeave a Comment

Time to discover a new winemaker here at my little digital place. So we’re moving to Medana to taste a wine coming from a renowned winemaking family – Kristančič. They have been known for producing state of the art wines,…

Continue reading ➞

Benčina – Chardonnay, 2017

July 17, 2021ValentinWineBenčina, Chardonnay, Primorska, Vipava valleyLeave a Comment

Tonight we’re moving to a family with a winemaking tradition. We’re in Vipava valley. We’re in the village of Lože. The Benčina family is crafting unique wines that reflect their unique philosophy. Such is the case with this Chardonnay, which…

Continue reading ➞

Slavček – Rebula reserve, 2015

July 16, 2021ValentinWinePrimorska, rebula, Slavček, Vipavska dolinaLeave a Comment

We’re returning tonight to the Vodopivec family in the village of Potok, Vipava valley, to have a look at one of those expressions of wines produced with ancient winemaking practices lifting that feeling of nostalgia. We’re looking at the Slavček…

Continue reading ➞

Guštin – Malvazija Trend, 2018

July 15, 2021ValentinWineGuštin, Malvasia, Primorska, Vipavska dolinaLeave a Comment

Today we’ll focus on Guštin‘s Malvazija. An expression of this famed variety produced in lower Vipava valley. We’re in Bilje, five minutes away from my hometown, where Viljem Žižmond and his family produce this wine on the south-facing slopes. Now…

Continue reading ➞

valentinbufolin

•

Follow

Vino Kupljen – Šipon Mihalovci, 2019: Late harvested grapes were hand-picked and pressed gently in a pneumatic press. Then the most fermented in stainless vats and the young wine was racked into neutral, large oak barrels of 1,000 to 2,500 litres for almost a year. Finally, the wine was bottled, and a bottle went straight to the Decanter World Wine Awards 2020, where it scored 91 points! Šipon Mihalovci displays a strawy yellow, crystal clear colour with a dense texture, resulting in slowly accumulating drips on the glass walls. The nose is overwhelmed by intense aromas that mainly focus on citruses – including lemon peel, pomelo, bergamot, followed by notes of kiwi, gooseberry, apple and almond blossom with a slightly buttery finish. Its taste is dry, soft, and reasonably warm. With a good measure of freshness and minerality, elevating the taste and leaves a slightly spicy finish. An intense wine with accentuated elegance, full-bodied and with just the right persistence to evoke another sip. The notes of gooseberry, lemon and white flowers, which are intertwined with a mineral aftertaste, predominate in conclusion. A wine that will keep its shape in the coming 3 to 5 years, though personally, I’d keep a couple of bottles stored for more as I’m intrigued how it will age. 📷 @mihaela_majerhold 🍷 @grasslglass decanter #365daysofslovenianwine #slovenianwinesig #winesofslovenia #slovenianwines #mojaslovenija #tasteslovenia #sloveniafood #sloveniafoodexperience #sommsi #asisomms #igersslovenia

12 hours ago

View on Instagram |
1/10
valentinbufolin

•

Follow

Benčina – Zelen, 2020: Their Zelen is produced to shine in all of its refined expressions, so pure, so varietal. Bunches are hand-harvested and vinified attentively to retain their primary aromatic aspect, with a touch of secondary ones. It introduces to us with an almost brilliant, golden yellow colour and dense in texture. Its bouquet is intense, varietal. We notice white peach, pear, notes of apple, melon, tangerine, hints of grass, almond blossom, as well as a slight buttery scent and a touch of marlstone. The taste is dry, soft and reasonably warm. With a good dose of crisp freshness and a mineral saltiness. A wine of intense taste, medium-bodied and reasonably persistent, of an elegant character, which reflects the genuine signature of minerality and aromas of herbs, pears and vineyard peaches that are distinctive for this indigenous variety. 📷 @mihaela_majerhold 🍷 @riedel_official 🛒 @bewine.si #365daysofslovenianwine #slovenianwinesig #winesofslovenia #slovenianwines #mojaslovenija #tasteslovenia #sloveniafood #sloveniafoodexperience #sommsi #asisomms #igersslovenia

2 days ago

View on Instagram |
1/10
valentinbufolin

•

Follow

Ščurek – Merlot Up, 2016: A 100 % varietal expression, produced with selected berries, rigorous cap management, and marked by a two-year maturation in barriques, to account for a total of 1,500 bottles produced. A deep ruby red coloured wine irradiating extraction and density in all senses. Accentuated, charming aromas of ripe marasca cherry, blackberry, cranberry, red rose, sage, red pepper, anise, cloves, tobacco, cocoa, forest undergrowth and a light touch of smoke. The taste is intense, intoxicating. Dry, with pronounced softness, warm yet packing crisp freshness and minerality, with tannins slowly drying out our mouth and prolonging the persistence of its noble aftertaste. A wine for nobility, potent and with a vigorous body with repeating flavours of ripe forest fruit, sweet spices and smoke also on the palate. A bottle will cost you approximately 50 Eur and is currently available only at the winemaker. But try scoring some of the bottles, as it is worth storing them somewhere and forgetting them, as it will keep in shape for at least ten years. 📷 @mihaela_majerhold 🍷 @riedel_official #365daysofslovenianwine #slovenianwinesig #winesofslovenia #slovenianwines #mojaslovenija #tasteslovenia #sloveniafood #sloveniafoodexperience #sommsi #asisomms #igersslovenia

3 days ago

View on Instagram |
1/10
valentinbufolin

•

Follow

Sutor – Malvazija, 2016: Grapes come from a vineyard that counts nineteen years and is planted on west-facing slopes composed of clay red earth and flysch at an altitude of 260 meters above sea level. The exposure is well protected from the wind, allowing the maturation of these delicate berries. Bunches of malvasia are exclusively hand-picked and transferred straight into the pneumatic press with constant cooling. The must is then racked into large cone-shaped barrels with approximately 10 % of whole berries that were handpicked two days before the harvest. This allows for starting of fermentation, and the mash is frequently stirred to mix lees and sediments. After a year, the wine is decanted into stainless vats and left to mature for another year and clarify naturally via sedimentation. Finally, the wine is bottled, and after patiently waiting in the cellar, it comes to the market. This expresses in a malvasia of extractive, golden yellow and pronounced density. The bouquet is ripe, intense. Reminiscent of apple slices, roasted peach, dried pineapple, linden blossom, straw, and notes of butter, sweet spices with dried Mediterranean herbs. Dry and soft, with well-integrated alcohols. At the same time vividly refreshing in mineral. A wine of a seductively intense taste, full-bodied with an elegant and persistent aftertaste. Seductive! 📷 @mihaela_majerhold 🍷 @riedel_official 🛒 @evino #365daysofslovenianwine #slovenianwinesig #winesofslovenia #slovenianwines #mojaslovenija #tasteslovenia #sloveniafood #sloveniafoodexperience #sommsi #asisomms #igersslovenia

4 days ago

View on Instagram |
1/10
valentinbufolin

•

Follow

Gjerkeš – Woodstock, 2018: Grapes of Chardonnay were handpicked, destemmed and crushed. After a short maceration at controlled temperatures, the most fermented and matured for eighteen months in a combination of new American and French barriques and a part in stainless vats, all of this with constant stirring of fine lees. Finally, equal parts were united to form this rebellious, woo-doo child. There you go, Jimmy Hendrix wrote the next song to pair with this wine while sipping the next glass. I’m sure you won’t stop at just one glass here … Woodstock charms with its golden yellow colour and dense texture. It’s like the glass is wearing a jacket with fringes. Its aroma is intense and sophisticated. It says wood right away, but then aromas of dried herbs like sage open up. They are followed by butter, almonds and finally ripe peach, candied lemon peel, dried orange and slices of tropical fruit, with a slight resinous and smoky finish. The taste is dry, we detect softness, but Jenis just pulls her edgy “Yeeeeah”, letting us know the wine is a little rough and astringent around the edges. The alcohol is well integrated, with bright acidity and minerality, leaving a slightly spicy finish. An elegant, full-bodied wine with a persistent aftertaste with oak imparted flavours paving the way to the children of the revolution. 📷 @mihaela_majerhold 🍷 @riedel_official 🛒 @vinoo.co_thebest_local_wines #365daysofslovenianwine #slovenianwinesig #winesofslovenia #slovenianwines #mojaslovenija #tasteslovenia #sloveniafood #sloveniafoodexperience #sommsi #asisomms #igersslovenia

5 days ago

View on Instagram |
1/10
valentinbufolin

•

Follow

Colnar – Collis, 2017: Collis is a variety represented by equal shares of Welschriesling, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer. After 48 hours of cold maceration, the wine waits for 42 days in stainless steel vats. It is then racked to mature for another 24 months in a 2,500-liter acacia barrel, and the result is a character wine that impresses the drinker with a wide range of aromas and an almost balanced taste. Collis shows a deep, golden yellow colour and density. The bouquet is intense and reveals its maturation in the wooden vessel. We perceive ripe yellow apple, pineapple slices, lemon and clementine peel, yellow rose, wax, lemon balm, cinnamon and vanilla, nicely bound with buttery notes, marzipan and caramel. It acts oily in the mouth, dry, and reasonably warm. Its freshness stands out slightly, and at the end, it presents a slightly spicy note, which emphasises the persistence and elegance of this full-bodied wine. Flavours of dried fruit, honey, wax and sweet spices also repeat on the palate. A wine with longevity is excellent for drinking now, but it will keep its shape for at least the next five years. 📷 @mihaela_majerhold 🍷 @riedel_official 🛒 @vinaposavja_savavalleywines 🛒 @bewine.si #365daysofslovenianwine #slovenianwinesig #winesofslovenia #slovenianwines #mojaslovenija #tasteslovenia #sloveniafood #sloveniafoodexperience #sommsi #asisomms #igersslovenia

5 days ago

View on Instagram |
1/10
valentinbufolin

•

Follow

Kristančič – Rebula Artwork, 2017: Artwork is the latest line coming from the Kristančič cellar, as it was introduced in August 2019 for the first time. Rebula’s label boasts a black and white image of a Peacock which has become their distinctive symbol and already looking at the combination with its golden insignia, you know you’re in for a treat. The production was done in two phases. First, the grapes of Rebula were hand-picked, destemmed and crushed. Half of the must macerated with fermentation for fourteen days, and after a gentle pressing, the young wine was racked into used oak barriques of French and American origin. The other half’s must was barrel fermented in the same combination of wood—all of this for approximately eighteen months. Then, in May 2020, both wines were racked into stainless vats to assemble fully. Finally, after three months, it was bottled and presented to the market. This care creates a Rebula of a deep golden yellow colour, with an amber hue. Its texture is thick, forming slowly slipping tears and quickly stopping the swirl. Its bouquet is intense, pleasingly alluring. We distinguish ripe yellow fruits like apricots, apples, yellow plums, sultana, mango, pineapple, candied orange and honey. These are followed by a gentle note of butter serving as an overture to vanilla, cloves, saffron, dried leaves, and finishing with a slight touch of cedar. The taste is dry, softly hugging our mouth, moderately warming it. Its crispy grip refreshes us, leaving a slightly astringent feel. An intense, pronouncedly elegant wine of lasting persistency emanating flavours of dry stone fruit, sweet spices and herbs with a vigorous body. A real wine of majesty! 📷 @mihaela_majerhold 🍷 @grasslglass decanter 🛒 @kozelj_wines 🛒 @vinoteka_sodcek 🛒 @agencytuamv 🛒 @vidawinesandspiritsuk #365daysofslovenianwine #slovenianwinesig #winesofslovenia #slovenianwines #mojaslovenija #tasteslovenia #sloveniafood #sloveniafoodexperience #sommsi #asisomms #igersslovenia

7 days ago

View on Instagram |
1/10
valentinbufolin

•

Follow

Benčina – Chardonnay, 2017: I’ve been following the Benčina wines for a while now, and they’ve been expressing exciting representations of what Vipava valley can give. Powerful yet fresh expressions of wines are often produced with maceration and oak ageing. Such is the case with today’s choice, as this wine followed classical production procedures with maceration and two years of maturing in barriques. This results in a Chardonnay with deep, golden yellow colours and a dense texture. The bouquet is intense when poured, presenting forward roasted scents. Scents of roasted nuts and rye bread crust play with aromas of ripe yellow apple and peach. We also find a gentle note of hyacinth and cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, butter, oregano, and a mineral flavour reminding flysch. The mouthfeel is dry, soft with well-integrated alcohols. It refreshes us with ripe acidity and mineral saltiness, leaving a touch of astringency. A wine of intensity, lasting persistency and elegance, which will only enhance with bottle ageing. 📷 @mihaela_majerhold 🍷 @riedel_official #365daysofslovenianwine #slovenianwinesig #winesofslovenia #slovenianwines #mojaslovenija #tasteslovenia #sloveniafood #sloveniafoodexperience #sommsi #asisomms #igersslovenia

1 week ago

View on Instagram |
1/10

Bufolin.com

Wine, dine & everything fine

Author: Valentin

Vino Kupljen – Šipon Mihalovci, 2019

Benčina – Zelen, 2020

Ščurek – Merlot Up, 2016

Sutor – Malvazija, 2016

Gjerkeš – Woodstock, 2018

Colnar – Collis, 2017

Kristančič – Rebula Artwork, 2017

Benčina – Chardonnay, 2017

Slavček – Rebula reserve, 2015

Guštin – Malvazija Trend, 2018