Rebula 2022 (Edi Simcic)

Cellar for up to 7 years. Serve chilled. Slovenia’s Gorizia Hills sit just over the border from Friuli in Italy and offer exceptional winemaking conditions thanks to the warm Mediterranean climate and proximity to the Alps. Edi Simcic founded his winery in the village of Vipolže in 1990 and today the estate has 30 acres of prime vineyards on the gently sloping hills around the village. Working alongside Edi is his son, Aleks, who helps to create the winery’s delicious artisanal wines which rank amongst Slovenia’s finest. Their Ribolla Gialla, or Rebula as it’s known in Slovenia, is Edi’s attempt to show the world that this humble grape variety can be used to make delicious and complex wines. Usually used for everyday wines, this example is made from the very finest grapes hand-selected from 25-35 year old vines. The young wine is aged in used and new oak barrels for 12 months followed żeby another 6 months in the bottle to craft a rich, well-rounded white with good ageing potential. On the nose there are intense notes of peach, lychees and other tropical fruits while the first sip reveals a medium body, smooth texture and hints of stony minerality balanced by a refreshing acidity. A great wine to pair with creamy fish or chicken dishes as well as cheeses and risottos.