From: Goriška Brda, Slovenia
Blend: Rebula (Ribolla Gialla), Malvasia, Sauvignonasse
Tasting: It presents a unique pinkish hue with golden reflections, a visual prelude to its complexity. The nose is greeted with gentle notes of ripe white fruit, spices, and an ensemble of field flowers, cedar, almonds, and fresh bread crust. It offers a medium-bodied experience on the palate, with layers of dried fruit, quince, and tropical notes like pineapple and avocado, ending with a reminiscence of dried grass and hay.
Pairing: Medium-bodied orange wines, with their distinct quince flavor, are a delightful match for the rich and aromatic cuisine of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions, particularly Georgian dishes. The classic Georgian eggplants with walnut sauce exemplify this perfect pairing. Georgia, renowned for its amber wines—a local term for orange wines—offers a culinary principle: "what grows together, goes together." This is vividly demonstrated in the Eggplant Walnut Ricotta Rolls, accompanied by a Fresh Greens and Basil Salad. The recipe, a true reflection of the region's culinary heritage, harmonizes beautifully with the wine's unique profile. The creamy ricotta and the earthy, nutty flavor of walnuts complement the wine's medium body and quince notes, while the fresh greens and basil add a refreshing contrast, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Eggplant Walnut Ricotta Rolls With Fresh Greens and Basil Salad
Recipe from Christine Vartanian Datian
Adapted by Tara Parker-Pope
About. In the landscape of Western Slovenia, amidst the hills and cypress trees reminiscent of Tuscany, lies the Goriška Brda wine region, home to the esteemed Klet Brda winery. This winery, a beacon of Slovenian viticulture, has garnered a reputation as the foremost producer and exporter of bottled wine in Slovenia.
Klet Brda comprises more than 400 families working harmoniously over five decades, transforming local winemaking into an international success. Their mission aims to encapsulate the unique terroir of Brda in each bottle while uplifting the region and its people. This unity of purpose is reflected in their vineyard practices. Covering 1200 hectares, the vineyards are a mosaic of indigenous and international varietals, with Ribolla Gialla leading the ensemble, followed by Merlot, Chardonnay, and the rechristened Sauvignonasse. Each vine is tended with the utmost care, ensuring that the wines produced are expressions of the land and the dedication of those who cultivate it.
The Goriška Brda region, though small, is mighty in its wine production. This terraced vineyard landscape, sandwiched between the Julian Alps and the Adriatic Sea, is subject to a dance of climatic forces. Here, the bitingly cold Bora winds from the Alps meet the balmy sea breezes, creating a unique microclimate that imparts distinct characteristics to the grapes. The soil, a blend of shale, marl, and sandstone, adds another layer of complexity to the wines, ensuring excellent drainage and mineral richness.
Creating the Krasno Orange Wine is meticulous, reflecting the winery's philosophy of integrating nature's rhythms into their viticulture. The wine blends 40% Rebula (Ribolla Gialla), 30% Malvasia, and 30% Sauvignonasse. The Rebula grapes undergo 10 months of skin contact in oak barrels. At the same time, the Malvasia and Sauvignonasse varieties are given a month of skin contact, followed by eight months of lying in stainless steel tanks.