At the table with Opoka Cru Ribolla 2019
Free-range roast poultry with herbs, grilled sea bass with fennel, pasta with gorgonzola and walnuts, mild vegetable and coconut milk curry.
Our wines for
Let's talk little, let's talk wine
Opoka Cru Ribolla 2019Simcic Marjan
This Ribolla comes from the Medana Jama cru, in the heart of the Brda hills, in Slovenia's Primorska region. The vines draw their character from opoka soils, made up of marl and sandstone, and benefit from the balance between Mediterranean influences and Alpine freshness. This plot delivers a deeply mineral and singular expression of Rebula.
The grapes are harvested by hand and ferment spontaneously on their skins for 16 days in concrete eggs. The wine then spends 10 months in concrete eggs, before 12 months' ageing in large 500-litre oak barrels. This winemaking combines precision of fruit, the relief of maceration and the patina of ageing.
This wine reveals notes of white peach, mandarin, ripe citrus, dried fruits, chestnut honey, camomile, fresh hay, toasted almond, cinnamon, cedar and limestone. The palate combines a dense, savoury texture with sleek acidity; its slightly tannic structure, inherited from skin contact, extends a saline, mineral and persistent finish.
Where are we traveling?
PrimorskaSlovenia
Primorska, which means "coastal region" in Slovene, lies in western Slovenia, on the border with Italy and the Adriatic Sea. This wine region comprises four main areas: Brda (Slovenian Collio), Vipava, Kras (Carso) and Slovenian Istria. The climate is Mediterranean, tempered by the Adriatic influence, with hot, dry summers and the impact of the bora, a cold north-easterly wind. The soils range from the marly flysch of Brda to the red limestone earth of the Kras. Primorska grows native grape varieties such as Rebula (Ribolla), Malvazija and Refošk, as well as international varieties. The region is renowned for its mineral, textured white wines, often aged in amphorae or barrels, and for its skin-macerated orange wines. These authentic wines reflect the richness of a terroir at the crossroads of Slavic and Italian influences.
The little history of the country
Slovenia
Slovenia is a small European country with a long history of winemaking. Winegrowing dates back to the Celts, who were the first to make wine on the territory of present-day Slovenia, 400 years before Christ. With the arrival of the Romans in the first century AD, winegrowing developed further. But let's talk a little about what happened over the last century: despite the cultural and political turmoil that beset the Balkan states, Slovenia maintained its wine industry, which has been particularly prosperous since the country gained independence from the former Yugoslavia. Slovenia has a varied 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 grown in Slovenia show an Italian influence in the west, a Germanic influence in the east and a growing "international" French influence overall. These multiple influences contribute to a very varied and astonishing range of wines!
All about Opoka Cru Ribolla 2019
At what temperature should Opoka Cru Ribolla 2019 be served?
Between 10 and 12 °C.
How long can Opoka Cru Ribolla 2019 be kept?
Ageing potential: 10 years or more, until at least 2029. Store the bottle lying down, away from light, at around 12 °C.
Which grapes make up Opoka Cru Ribolla 2019?
Grapes: 100% Ribolla Gialla. Origin: Primorska, Slovenia. Alcohol: 13%.
What to serve with Opoka Cru Ribolla 2019?
Opoka Cru Ribolla 2019 pairs well with blue cheese, white fish and white meat. Our dish ideas are in the food pairing box at the top of the page.