Country: Slovenia  Region: Goriška Brda  Vintage: 2015 Category: White Wine  Color: White 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 grapes for this wine come from the Goriška Brda wine growing region at altitudes ranging between 80-200 metres above sea level. The vineyards are terraced and face south-west, east and south. Vines are trained using the single Guyot method and are planted at densities of 4,000 - 5,000 vines per hectare. The vineyards are between 10-25 years old and sit on a mixture of flysch, marlstone and sandstone soils. The climate here is sub-Mediterranean and experiences a mixture of warm sea air and the influence of cold winds from the Alps. Vinification: Fruit was pressed in a pneumatic press and then fermented and matured in stainless steel containers. No malolactic fermentation was allowed to take place to preserve the freshness and fruit character of the grapes. Tasting Notes: Straw yellow colour with a subtle shade of pink. The nose is reminiscent of pear, grapefruit, pineapple and cinnamon. Well balanced, this medium-bodied Pinot Grigio has a lovely warmth to it. The finish is silky, with lingering citrus aromas. Food Suggestion: Charcuterie, on its own, or with Asian street food. Closure: Stelvin  ABV: 13%  Acidity [g/l]: 5.72