The dramatically stunning ‘land of a thousand terraces’ that encompasses Slovenia’s Brda and Italy’s Collio is a single wine panorama divided by a political border. Now in its fifth 12 months, the Brda House of Rebula convention continues to bridge this border by bringing collectively 13 wineries from each international locations to showcase the extremely versatile and thrilling Rebula grape. Suited to a wide range of types – from high quality sparklings, to contemporary basic or extra complicated, oak aged and skin- fermented expressions – Rebula can now be discovered on the most effective wine lists world wide and constantly wins accolades in worldwide wine competitions, not least the Decanter Wine World Awards.
Sense of place
This 12 months, sustainability and terroir have been key subjects, with Brda’s dry-farmed vineyards taking part in strongly into these themes. As elsewhere, lack of rainfall has been an issue, with the final important rains falling in December 2021, till August storms arrived. On the peak of summer time, the one inexperienced crops throughout the area have been the vines, particularly the deep-rooted outdated Rebula, capable of finding water regardless of no irrigation.
The opoka soils which underlie all the most effective winery websites are additionally necessary, straight shaping the mineral character of the area’s wines and the vines’ resilience to growing pure challenges. Opoka fractures simply, permitting vines to simply root down 10-12m, and its silt particles, wealthy in vitamins and minerals, dissolve within the rain and circulate to the basis zone. Terraces have been a necessity since Roman occasions, permitting growers to farm steep slopes, retain water and minimise erosion. That is nonetheless the case, as area and water availability stay a central concern. This difficult topography additionally requires all work to be performed by hand, a facet that shapes the character of native viticulture and winemaking, wherein man and vines dwell harmoniously in keeping with nature’s cycles.
Opoka soils
Sustainable vocation
‘Sustainability is in our DNA,’
stated one winemaker. Sustainability covers a number of pillars, from environmental issues to financial and social resilience. Brda’s winery space has been steady for many years as individuals make a enough dwelling from grapes and wine, and certainly the terraced slopes imply handwork is a useful necessity. When it comes to ecology, the vineyards are dotted with small woodlands and patches of wildflowers, full of butterflies and bees. These present ecological niches for endemic species and assist average the local weather in each summer time and winter. Within the winery, most producers work sustainably with a number of additionally licensed natural and/or biodynamic.
Even in a warming local weather, Rebula has important benefits in its capability to withstand drought and ripen at average alcohol, whereas maintaining good acidity. The particular nature of Rebula was highlighted, over the past version of the Brda House of Rebula convention, by a uncommon alternative to style the 1957 classic. The very best bottles have been amazingly alive, vibrant and nonetheless clearly confirmed the attribute flavours and freshness of Rebula. Actually a novel demonstration of why Rebula needs to be the flagship grape of the Brda and Collio area, essentially suited to the pure and human challenges forward. A mere 30 minutes from Trieste airport or one hour from Venice’s, it’s straightforward and nicely value seeing this stunning panorama for your self whereas exploring its many strolling and biking trails.
Gašper Čarman and Caroline Gilby MW at this 12 months’s Brda House of Rebula convention and masterclass
Newly-released Rebula wines to attempt
Klet Brda Rebula Quercus 2021
90
Inviting apple blossom and meadowsweet aromas. Good weight and silky texture, with notes of lower pear, supported by vibrant acidity. A benchmark for the basic, contemporary model of younger Rebula, named after the oak (quercus) forests that used to blanket the native hills.
Dolfo Rebula 2021
90
‘Dry, extraordinarily dry’ is Dolfo’s motto, to precise the area’s pure minerality. This younger Rebula does precisely that; with its gently fruity however dry model, marked by hints of orange and honeysuckle. The palate is crisp, with salty, citrus notes and a mouth-watering end.
Moro Rebula Margherita 2020
90
Sustainably managed, terraced vineyards offered the fruit for this interesting wine. Aromas of white peach, meadow flowers and wild herbs. Orange zest on the palate, with a contact of golden plum. Mineral, moist stone texture and good size.
Zanut Rebula 2019
90
Naturally fermented, hand-harvested fruit from 29-year-old vines. Aromas of orange zest, apricot and wild thyme. Pretty freshness on the palate, with peach fruit, orange oil and a twist of Mediterranean herbs. The end is all about texture – salty and savoury.
Gradis’ciutta Robert Princic Sveti Nikolaj Rebula 2019
93
A very cross-border wine from Slovenian grapes vinified in Italy. Creamy peach, lemon zest and acacia flowers on the nostril. Smooth and stylish, with notes of tropical fruit, pear and delicate spice, supported by high quality acidity and zesty texture.
Medot Rebula Golden Époque 2020
93
Hand-harvested at very low yields from an outdated winery. Aged on high quality lees in oak. Reveals attractive aromas of quince and acacia blossom, delicate vanilla with ripe pear fruit. Advantageous and stylish with focussed fruit, citrus acidity, and an extended end. Flavours of papaya, apricot, dried fig and wild thyme, supported by agency acidity, saline notes and a delicate tannic grip.
Jermann Brda Rebula 2018
94
Grapes from Brda, fermented and aged in massive oak casks in Italy. Elegantly scented with lemon blossom, summer time meadow herbs and apple crumble. Refined and sleek, with vivid acidity, notes of Asian pear and mandarin. Lingering end with a saline grip.
Ferdinand Rebula Época 2020
94
Poached pear, meadow flowers and a contact of basil on the nostril. 24 hours of pores and skin contact then fermentation in barrels have added texture and layered complexity to the high quality, vivid golden plum and quince fruit. Vibrant freshness, with a vein of lemon zest and salinity on the lingering end.
Ščurek Rebula Up 2020
95
Pure vinification in barrel with 5 days of partial pores and skin contact has given texture, complexity, and an expressive bouquet of apricot, dried peach and tangerine. The fruit is ripe and beneficiant, with a juicy core of pineapple, peach and salted lemon. Pretty concord and size, accomplished by a high quality, mineral aftertaste.
Klet Brda Rebula Superior Bagueri 2019
95
Hand-picked from the cooperative’s finest terraced vineyards, then fermented in massive oak and barriques for layered, velvety texture. Advantageous vanilla, white peach and honeysuckle notes are adopted by depth and refinement on the palate with a saline, mineral spine, supporting flavours of lemon, Asian pear, and pineapple.
Edi Simčič Rebula Fojana 2019
96
From a single winery of 40-year-old south- dealing with vines. Traditional fermentation and ageing in French oak provides a perfectly sleek wine, with inviting aromas of apple blossom, acacia, golden plum, ripe pear, and a delicate scent of rosemary. Superb, with high quality silky texture, mouth-watering vibrancy, and fantastic finesse.
Erzetič Orbis Rebula 2018
96
5 forms of wooden and natural grapes go into this gorgeously harmonious wine. Scents of summer time meadow with candy spice, yellow plum and melon fruit, with delicate toasty nuances. Mouth-watering acidity balances the creamy texture. Advantageous fruit notes of pear and lemon zest adopted by an extended mineral end.
Marjan Simčič Rebula Opoka Medana Jama Cru 2019
96
Grapes from 67-year-old vines have been fermented for 16 days, on the skins, in concrete eggs. Wonderful fragrant expression of orange blossom, spice, wild herbs, and peach fruit. The palate is intense, sapid, very pure and vivid, with ripe peach notes, orange zest and spice, underscored by a mineral core and superfine tannins.
Kristian Keber Brda 2019
93
An intriguing area mix of native grapes, fermented naturally on the skins for 2 weeks. Wealthy amber with a bouquet of Mediterranean herbs, dried apricot, candied peel and bitter orange zest.
