Albiana – Brut Nature, N.V.

My mind is taking me back to the beautiful afternoon spent with Jernej and Miha at Nemška vas. A hilly slope above Krško where the Albiana wine cellar is at home. Tonight we’ll have a look at a sparkler that will soon see the public light – their non-vintage Brut Nature.

This is the wine they greet me with at my recent visit, and it soon made an impression. A blend of 70 % Chardonnay and 30 % Kraljevina isn’t among the most common ones, but this “Blanc de Blancs” displays a powerful character and stamina. A wine that was disgorged after forty-five months of ageing on lees now has approximately six months of maturation in the cellar.

Albiana’s Brut Nature presents a brilliant, golden yellow colour with numerous medium-sized and persistent pearls.

Intense aromas are alluring, revealing scents of bread crust, apple and pineapple slices, mango, lemon peel, as well as dried yellow flowers. Over time, we notice slight aromas of herbs, straw hazelnuts and a mineral tone.

A wine revealing fair softness and reasonable warmth. Crisp, refreshing and mineral. Bringing a full-structured taste of intensity accentuated elegance and persistency in which flavours of dried fruit, minerality, bread crust and nuts reappear.

Brut Nature is a sparkler that has good ageing potential. I’m curious to see where it will go in five to seven years. A bottle should cost approximately 20 Eur, and it is best to contact the winemaker at +386 31 652 343 or info@zaren.si to see if it is available already.