Gasper, Malvazia

Alcohol percentage: 13.5%

Vegan

Area:
Close to the Italian border province of Friuli, Slovenia has a long history of making fine white wine to rival its better-know neighbour. The two countries share the sub-region known as ‘Collio’. Vines for this wine come from hillside terraces at 100-200m altitude.

Grape variety:
Malvasia Istriana (native to Slovenia and Croatia); fermented in stainless steel to retain purity of fruit.

Producer:
From the website of their agents:
” The Gašper wine estate is a joint venture between a local cooperative and the Čarman family, who have been in the wine and hospitality business for over 50 years. At the helm of the cellar is Darinko Ribolica, a respected oenologist from Goriška Brda. He uses Slovenia’s local varieties, deeply rooted in Germanic, Slavic and Roman cultural influences, to create wines in a modern, fresh style.”

The Bottle Shop rating:
The subtle dryness of a fine NE Italian whites – but with more texture and weight.