Opoka Cru Chardonnay 2017

The Chardonnay Opoka Cru from the Simčič Marjan estate comes from the Vipava Valley in western Slovenia, near the Italian border and the Friuli region. The vines are planted on sunny slopes around the village of Ceglo, in marl-limestone soils known as "opoka," rich in minerals and renowned for producing deep, structured wines. The climate is influenced by both the Adriatic Sea and the Alps, providing temperature variations that promote a slow and balanced ripening of the grapes.

The Chardonnay grapes are hand-harvested at full maturity, then destemmed and lightly crushed before a few hours of skin contact maceration. The must ferments with indigenous yeasts in oak barrels, where the wine then rests on its fine lees with regular stirring. Aging continues for an extended period in barrels and large casks, allowing for the gradual integration of the wood and controlled oxygenation, before further aging in the bottle to stabilize and refine the wine.

This wine reveals notes of white-fleshed fruit , toasted dried fruit , and citrus zest , complemented by delicate floral touches, spicy nuances, and a subtle toasty oak character underpinned by a mineral backbone. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and structured, supported by precise acidity that lengthens the tasting experience, with a slightly creamy texture, beautiful tension, and a long, saline, and persistent finish.

Slovenia is a small European country with a long history of wine production. Viticulture dates back to the Celts, who were the first to produce wine in what is now Slovenia, 400 years before Christ. With the arrival of the Romans in the first century AD, viticulture developed further. But let's talk a little about what happened during the last century: despite the cultural and political turmoil that plagued the Balkan states, Slovenia maintained its wine industry, which has been particularly prosperous since the country gained its independence from the former Yugoslavia. Slovenia has a diverse geography, offering a wide variety of microclimates. The region is bordered to the north by the Austrian Alps, to the west by Italy and the Adriatic Sea, to the east by Hungary, and to the south by Croatia. The grape varieties cultivated in Slovenia show Italian influence in the west, Germanic influence in the east, and a growing "international" French influence overall. This multifaceted influence contributes to a very diverse and surprising range of wines!