World Class Wine from World Cup Territory

 

Slovenia: Rediscovered Wines Spark a Budding Trend

Say to the sommelier or wine merchant that you want a Slovenian wine, and you might be surprised by the knowing and appreciative response.  Yes, Eastern European countries that have been making wine since B.C. days are experiencing a comeback.  The good news is that the newfound attention appears to be rightly deserved.

A long history of winemaking

Archeologists basically found old wine bottles and other winemaking evidence that date back to 6^th century B.C., and wine historians believe Slovenians probably learned about fermentation from the Greeks.  Throughout history, however, it’s been a roller coaster ride for Slovenian winemakers – boosted by the Romans, nearly dying out as a trade in 700 A.D., rising again simultaneously with Christianity in the region (the Catholic Church was a big player in the wine business in the 1200-1500s), until the late 1800s when Phylloxera destroyed half of the vineyards and sent winemakers scrambling all the way to the United States in many cases.  Slovenia went from 126,000 acres of vineyards to today’s nearly 60,000 acres.

The Oxford Companion to Wine estimates that today Slovenia has more than 40,000 registered wineries, making the average vineyard pretty small – 8-15 acres on average.  No surprise that most of locals generally consume most of this wine.

At a cultural, geographic crossroads

Interestingly, Slovenia is at the heart of great winemaking territory, or should I say terroir?  South of Austria, east of Italy, sitting along a bit of the Mediterranean and on the edge of some Alps, Slovenia enjoys a variety of terrains and microclimates that also unfortunately provide an unbelievable degree of uncertainty with each vintage.  Their limited production becomes ever more so in years where weather is not cooperative – 20, 30 even 50 percent less than normal.

Three broad regions comprise Slovenia wine territory: Primorska, Posavje and Podravje.  Primorska, which is also written as Primorje, lies closest to Italy, so many collaborations with Italian winemakers continue to occur. This region is probably the best known internationally, thanks to the Brda subregion and Movia, the oldest privately owned estate here, which makes biodynamic wines that caught Robert M. Parker Jr.’s attention.  Conversely, Posavje is probably least well known, but is the region that produces nearly as many red wines as whites and is located next to the Austrian border.  Podravje is the largest region, and according to Parker, has “long enjoyed the highest-quality reputation.”

The beauty of such diversity in such a small country is that winemakers are game for exploring varietals that will maximize the terroir of their very specific area.  Slovenia is most known for its whites, which make up 75 percent of its wines.  Not surprisingly, you will see Slovenian Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris.  However, more likely, you will encounter wines whose names you can barely pronounce, let alone be familiar with.  The Wall Street Journal published a story recently on this phenomenon of unpronounceable wines come from Slovenia and other Eastern European countries, so now is the time to get a taste of Samling, Traminer, Sylvaner, Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia, Kerner, Pikolit, Viovska, Sipon and Pinela.

Understanding Slovenian wine lingo

Much like the European Union, Slovenia created laws to require testing and tasting prior to market that decides the wines’ quality, per the Zaščiteno geoggrafsko poreklo (ZGP), which is similar to the European Union’s QWPSR system (Quality Wines Produced in Specified Regions). The quality ranges are: Namizno vino (table wine); Deželno vino PGO (country wine); Kakovostno ZGP (quality wine); and Vrhunsko vino ZGP (premium quality wine). Additionally, Slovenian wine labels identify wine sweetness with the following terms: suho (dry), polsuho (medium-dry), polsladko (medium-sweet) and sladko (sweet).

It’s hard to get smart about Slovenian wine since so little of it leaves Slovenia. With the increased interest in finding new great wines, however, U.S. importers are starting to bring these Slovenian gems to wine sellers.  The key to learning more, however, is finding a wine merchant like Hinsdale Cellars, whose staff can provide information about their specific offerings and offer a taste of the Old World.

– Ivy F. Kupec

 

Gifting with a Winter Wonderland of Wine

Feliz Navidad!  Happy Kwanza!  Joyeux Noël!  Happy Hannukah!  Frohe Weihnachten!  Happy New Year!

Whatever and wherever your friends, family and colleagues are celebrating holidays this time of year, wine is a natural gift that not only adds joy to the season, but color as well.

With wine, you have the opportunity to send Aunt Tillie to France with a succulent Chateauneuf-de-Pape.  Thank that neighbor who loves using his fancy snow blower to clear your sidewalk as well as his by sending him to Germany with a chilled Riesling.  The shy accountant who takes care of your taxes in his musty office can take respite in Argentina via a pampas-derived Malbec.  And what clients wouldn’t enjoy a sparkling Cava to ring in the New Year?

It is hard to find something more festive than wine for the holidays. And it’s also the gift among gifts.  There’s something about wine and wine bottles that just immediately says, “When you open me, I will taste good and provide a good experience.”  OK, not every wine can live up to that expectation, but because the majority do, a gift of wine is something that rarely goes unused or unappreciated.  Wine tells stories and conveys inherent fellowship.  And these days it’s easier than ever to find a wine that fits your budget as well as it fits the person who is receiving it.

Hinsdale Cellars has made it easier than ever to send your family, friends, colleagues and clients fine wines for a happy holiday.  They will even help you with your shopping from afar, much like that florist in Miami picks out a bouquet within your budget and just right for your Oma who now lives near the beach.

Christmas shopping as easy as 1-2-3

Whether you come to the store, give Hinsdale Cellars a call, or shop online, the best place for Christmas gift wine is Hinsdale Cellars (http://www.hinsdalecellars.com or 630.654.9862) The Web site has wonderful tasting notes and broader information about wine in its Vintelligence blog.  A direct call or a visit to the store will have you talking to one of the on-site wine experts who can find just the right wine(s) within your budget. For client gifts, it’s as easy as 1-2-3:

Step 1: Let Hinsdale Cellars know your budget per client and any other information that might help guide wine selection.

Step 2: Provide your client list, including full names and addresses.

Step 3: Provide credit card information, and Hinsdale Cellars does the rest, filling out holiday cards, including thoughtful tasting notes, and packaging and shipping.

Wine is a gift that is sure to help make your family, friends’, colleagues’ and clients’ yuletide season joyous.  For more information, call Hinsdale Cellars at 630.654.9862 or e-mail sean@hinsdalecellars.com.

Happy Holidays from your friends at Hinsdale Cellars!

 

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