White Wine Edi Simcic Chardonnay 2018. The Simcic family founded their winery in Slovenia’s stunning Gorizia Hills in 1990 and today they have some 30 acres of vines set on the gentle slopes around the village of Vipolže which they use to produce artisanal wines from both local and international grape varieties. The region is a stone’s throw away from Friuli in Italy, and conditions here are ideal for premium winemaking thanks to the influence of the Mediterranean climate and the nearby Alps. This sublime Chardonnay shows off the full potential of this top-rated Slovenian wine region with richness and complexity perfectly balanced by freshness and elegance. The fruit is sourced from the estate’s top vines and the young wine ages in small oak barrels for 10 months to add body and intensity to the overall flavour profile. On the nose there are enticing hints of caramel, tropical fruit, woodsmoke and vanilla while the first sip reveals a full body and bright fruit flavours held in check by a vibrant acidity. The well-defined structure makes this a good contender for additional cellaring, although it also pairs brilliantly with strongly-flavoured dishes like grilled octopus and chicken served in a rich creamy sauce.
2018
White Wine Edi Simcic Chardonnay 2018
White Wine Emilio Moro La Revelia 2018. The Moro family is one of the top winemaking families in Ribera del Duero, with the second and third generations currently in charge of 5 hectares of prime vineyards planted in the tiny town of Pesquera de Duero. Emilio along with his two sons José and Javier are well known throughout the region for their opulent red wines which the family has made here for over half a century. In recent years the family have also started to make sensational white wines like this elegant Godello. The Moros source the fruit for this bottling from fine vineyards in the Bierzo region where the mild climate with plenty of sunshine is ideal for growing luscious yet balanced grapes. Once in the winery the grapes are pressed and fermented in French oak barrels followed by an extended period of ageing on the lees. This creates a gorgeous golden-hued wine which is bursting with seductive aromas of ripe peaches, honeydew melon, citrus and hints of almond blossom. The first sip reveals a crisp, mouthwatering freshness, silky smooth texture and long finish with hints of toast and a salty minerality. A fantastic partner for fresh fish, seafood, or even spicy Asian salads and curries.
2018
White Wine Gini La Frosca Soave Classico 2018. The Gini family have deep roots in the Soave region dating back to at least the 7th century, but their thoroughly modern winery was only founded in 1980. In total they have around 58 hectares of land with some very special plots planted with 100 year old vines in the famed La Frosca cru. The Ginis specialise in minimal intervention winemaking, with very low yields, organic viticulture, and a stunning new cellar cut out of the rocky hillside which naturally moderates the humidity and temperature. Their Soave Classico is a superb example of the classic style, crafted from their La Frosca vineyard which is planted at 150 metres above sea level on exceptional calcareous soils. The fruit is macerated on the skins for a short period in the winery before being aged on the lees in a combination of stainless steel tanks and oak barrels. Bursting with ripe mango, peach, citrus and stone fruit, this is a vibrant and refreshing white wine that’s ideal to serve as an aperitif or partner for sushi, fish or summer salads. On the palate there’s a bright streak of acidity, light body and creamy texture from the oak ageing.
2018