Malvasia, Ribolla & Tocai – A Testament to Timeless Vineyards
The Grande Waldo is Nikolas Juretic’s brilliant cuvée made from his three most important grape varieties: Malvasia Istriana, Friulano, and Ribolla Gialla. The vines grow in two carefully selected vineyards – Bosc di Sot and Pradis – located in the Collio region near Cormons. The oldest vines are now around 115 years old, while even the youngest are still a respectable 65 years of age. This proud age results in relatively low yields, but the grapes offer a wealth of extract and even more character. It’s Nikolas’s job to reveal that.
To do so, he farms the vineyards biodynamically, harvests relatively late (usually in mid to late September), and ferments the grapes spontaneously, including the stems. As is customary in the region, he leaves the berries on their skins for a few days (typically between three and a maximum of six) before pressing and completing fermentation. The wine is then matured in large used wooden barrels for 11 months in the case of the Grande Waldo.
Despite its remarkable freshness and liveliness, the Grande Waldo has plenty of substance and energy. Aromatically, it evokes ripe summer fruits, foliage, and salt. If you're looking to pair it with food, sea fish (such as sea bass baked in a salt crust) is a perfect match. If you prefer meat, goose would be an excellent choice. For vegetarians, we recommend a pumpkin risotto.
Fact Sheet
- Grapes: Malvasia, Ribolla, and Tocai
- Vineyard: Partially over 100-year-old vineyards, situated in relatively warm sites
- Harvest: By hand
- Fermentation: Spontaneous with wild yeasts, a few days on the skins in cement tanks
- Aging: In used oak barrels
- Filtration: None
- SO₂: < 25 mg/l
- Alcohol: 13.5% vol.
- Closure: Natural cork
- Serving Temperature: 10–12°C
- Optimal Drinking Window: Now – 2038
- Bottle Size/Price per Liter: 0.75L / €49.98/L
Philosophy
All winemakers featured at Vinonudo embrace sustainable viticulture, employing compost, organic fertilizers, and natural preparations while avoiding herbicides, pesticides, and artificial fertilizers.
