Country: Slovenia  Region: Goriška Brda  Vintage: 2015   Category: White Wine  Color:  White  Varietal: Chardonnay and blend Producer: Gasper "Gašper is located in Goriška Brda, which is the two thirds of Collio that stretches into Slovenia from Friuli-Venezia Giulia in northeastern Italy. Goriška Brda is blessed with a climate ideally suited to viticulture, with its proximity to both the Adriatic Sea and the Alps providing dry, warm summers with cooling breezes during the crucial ripening period. The Gašper wine estate is a joint venture between a local cooperative and the Carman family, who have been in the hospitality and wine business for over 50 years. Their vineyard is characterised by its 'opoka' marl soil and excellent sun exposure on its terraced, hillside rows. There is also the benefit of altitude, ranging from 80-200 metres above sea level, which helps the grapes retain acidity and aromatics. All picking is done by cooperative partners, family members and friends, which allows for a careful selection of fruit that enhances the quality of the final wine. 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, for creating wines in a modern, fresh style. The Chardonnay/Ribolla blend is 55% Chardonnay and 45% Ribolla. 95% of the blend is fermented in stainless steel tanks with 5% fermented in large, 6,000 litre Slavonian oak casks to lend roundness to this fresh and fruity wine that displays hints of peach and citrus. The Pinot Grigio is fermented in stainless steel and is aromatic with pear and white flowers on the nose and refreshing grapefruit on the palate. The Malvazija is the same grape variety as Malvasia Istriana, native to the Croatian and Slovenian coastal areas that used to belong to Italy. This unique variety is known for being taut and zesty, but also slightly honeyed in character. It is made solely in stainless steel, and is slightly richer with aromas of tropical fruit and hints of almond on the finish. All of the wines have a vein of lively acidity running through them and are meant for drinking while young and fresh. They would be wonderful to drink with charcuterie, on their own or with Asian street food." Product Features:  Carbon Neutral;Sustainable;Vegan;Vegetarian Winemaker: Darinko Ribolica Vineyards: The Gasper vineyards are between 10 and 25 years old, and characterised by ‘opoka’ marl soil and excellent sun exposure on terraced, hillside rows. There is also the benefit of altitude, ranging from 80-200 metres above sea level, which helps the grapes retain acidity and aromatics. Vines are single Guyot trained and planted at a density of 4,000 to 5,000 per hectare. All picking is done by cooperative partners, family members and friends, which allows for a careful selection of fruit that enhances the quality of the final wine. Vinification: All fruit was pressed using a pneumatic press. 95% of the wine was fermented in stainless steel, with the remainder fermented in large, 6,000 litre Slavonian oak casks. After blending these components, the wine was matured in 100% stainless steel containers and did not undergo malolactic fermentation. Tasting Notes: Fresh and fruity and displaying hints of peach and citrus, vibrant acidity and lovely roundness thanks to 5% of the wine being fermented in oak. Closure: Stelvin  ABV:12%   Acidity [g/l]: 5.28