Malvazija Istriana is the most remarkable member of the fundamentally exciting Malvasia family. Its epicentre is the Karst and Collio around Trieste. The barren, harsh and often bora-influenced conditions are too harsh for many plants, but they are perfect for Malvazija Istriana.
At Aleks Klinec, the grape variety is rooted in Ponka, a soil type similar to Opok, which is basically based on limestone and marl. Aleks cultivates it without the use of chemicals, but with a great deal of dedication and biodynamic preparations. In the cellar, he favours relatively short maceration (3-4 days) and long maturation (3-4 years).
Copper-coloured, complex, well-structured. Vertical, elegant and precise. Appears fresh and youthful despite the long ageing period. Smells of ripe citrus fruit, wild herbs and dried fruit. Structured, ripe tannin. Cool, straightforward, profound and yet another example of how impressively macerated wines can reflect their terroir.
Data sheet
Grape variety: Malvazija (Malvasia Istriana)
Vineyard: Ponka
Harvest: By hand
Fermentation: spontaneous | wild yeasts, 3-4 days contact with the skins
Ageing: 1 year in 500-litre acacia wood barrels, then two more years in 2000-litre acacia wood barrels
Filtration: no
SO₂: < 20mg/litre
Alcohol content: 14% vol.
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking temperature: 10-12 °C
Perfect drinking maturity: from now - 2035
Content and price per litre: 0.75 l/(€46.12/l)
Maxime: All winegrowers listed with Vinonudo work with compost, organic fertiliser and natural preparations in their vineyards and refrain from using herbicides, pesticides and artificial fertilisers.
