Three Glasses 2023: Brda in Slovenia
Brda is the northernmost part of the Primorska wine-growing region on the western side of Slovenia. It's a land that shares its traditions, terroirs, grapes and even families and dialects with Friuli, and whose wine industry is considerable: today 690 growers cultivate 1,830 hectares, representing over a quarter of Slovenia's vineyards. Some 6.5 million liters are produced each year in Brda (20% of national production).
Vineyards and wines of Brda
The soil is mainly composed of Eocene flysch, also known as opoka (stratified marl and sandstone, "ponca" in Italian). Brda's main cultivar is rebula (ribolla gialla); grown here since the 13th century, today it represents over 20% of the grapes cultivated. Other varieties include tocai friulano (which here has taken on different names: sauvignonasse, sauvignon vert, zelena sauvignon, jakot and others), sivi pinot (pinot grigio) and pinot bianco. Among the white varieties we should also mention chardonnay and sauvignon blanc, which occupy Brda's best vineyards. Among the reds, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and pinot nero prevail. There is also a deep-rooted tradition in sparkling wine, with metodo classico giving rise to a variety of high-quality products.
Tre Bicchieri 2023: the best wines of Brda
It's the first time that we've ventured to review their wines, but our impressions were more than positive, and of the 190 bottles tasted, 4 received Tre Biccheri. Needless to say, rebula (ribolla gialla) dominated, earning top marks with Marjan Simčič's Rebula Cru Selection '19 and with Erzetič's Rebula Orbis '18. Tre Bicchieri were also awarded to Jacončič's Bela Carolina '19, a blend, and an extraordinary Chardonnay Sotto la Chiesa Bigliana II Cru '19 produced by Vini Noüe Marinič. In short, thanks to Slovenia's vintners for their contribution and hospitality. It was a wonderful experience, the beginning of a collaboration that we hope to extend to Slovenia's other cross-border areas, which maintain a shared culture and "agriculture" with our Friuli.
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