Capris rumeni muškat orange 2015, Vinakoper

Variety: 100% Yellow Muscat (Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains)
Vintage: 2015
Sugar content: dry
Alcohol volume: 13.5%
Wine region: Primorska
Wine district: Slovenian Istria
Cellar location: Koper
Price: 120 Eur

You’ve heard a lot about today’s selection in recent weeks. But the fact that a Slovenian wine is among the 50 best in the world is no small feat. This Yellow Muscat from Vinakoper has ended up on the same list as the best wines from France, Spain, Portugal, and Greece. In short, countries that have a much longer winemaking tradition than ours.

I also pricked up my ears when I heard that the “best in show” award went to the macerated yellow muscat from Vinakoper. “How? This wine doesn’t exist!” were my first thoughts, but soon everything became clear to me… Considering this, it’s pretty similar to what Vinakoper has been doing over the past few years. Surprise after surprise, but structured and with a vision.

It is also thanks to this wine that Slovenia placed 14th among the 57 countries that participated in the Decanter competition. Do we even realise how important this is and what such an award can bring us? I hope that such recognition will serve as a valuable incentive for the entire wine-growing sector, as it will lead to increased interest from abroad in our wines. At the same time, many tourists, wine enthusiasts, critics, and winemakers will choose our country as their destination, allowing them to experience and appreciate all the delicacies we have to offer in greater detail.

The grapes for the victorious Yellow Muscat come from the Purissima plot, which is considered one of their most acclaimed. The 2015 vintage was particularly ideal for this variety, which was picked at high maturity. The must macerated for two days in stainless steel tanks, after which the wine was transferred to used oak barriques, where it matured for nine years. Needless to say, such an extended maturation is not typical for yellow Muscats.

Every year, before preparing the cellar for the new harvest, the team spent a lot of time by the barrels, wondering what to do. They knew they had something good, but until this year, the decision was to wait a little longer for the wine to mature.

This year, the moment has finally come for the wine to see the light of day. But the strategy that Vinakoper adopted could not have been better. The wine was first submitted to an international evaluation, where it ranked among the top 50 in the world. Coincidence or not, it is a fact that Vinakoper approaches things thoughtfully and holistically, and this time everything came together.

It is an extractive yellow Muscat that glows in shades of gold with a slight copper note. The first surprise: after all these years of maturation, the wine has retained its characteristic varietal character.

The nose is intense, rich; we can detect muscat flower, chamomile, acacia honey, candied orange, and even dried apricot. Over time, the wine opens up, offering perceptions of dry Mediterranean herbs, including frankincense, while a sophisticated note of vanilla and wood is reflected in the background.

The taste offers another surprise – the wine has an exceptional freshness. The taste is soft, with its alcohol pleasantly warming our mouth, and the acidity emphasises the liveliness and minerality of the wine, all rounded off from the background by a gently noticeable tannin. The wine is intense, full-bodied and has a long, noble aftertaste, reflecting dried tropical fruits, Mediterranean maquis and honey.

It is a meditative wine that would be a shame to offer with food. If you must, it could be an Asian-flavoured dish, such as crispy duck or sweet and sour chicken. It could also be enjoyed with steak tartare or pork loin.

Article originally appeared in Slovene language at Ovinu.si.