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.
