Gasper Chardonnay Rebula

Gašper is located in Goriška Brda, which is the two thirds of Collio that stretches into Slovenia from Friuli Venezia Giulia in north-eastern Italy. Goriška Brda has a climate ideally suited to viticulture, with its proximity to both the Adriatic Sea and the Alps providing dry, warm summers with cooling breezes during the crucial ripening period. The Gašper wine estate is a joint venture between a local co-operative and the Čarman family, who have been in the hospitality and wine business for over 50 years.

Tended by 250 members, the 1100 hectares of vineyards are characterised by the ‘opoka’ marl soil and excellent sun exposure on their terraced, hillside rows. There is also the benefit of altitude, ranging from 80 to 200 metres above sea level, which helps the grapes retain acidity and aromatics. All picking is done by hand by co-operative partners, family members and friends, which allows for a careful selection of fruit that enhances the quality of the final wine.

At the helm of the cellar is Darinko Ribolica, a respected oenologist from Goriška Brda. For the whites, he uses Slovenia’s local varieties, to create wines in a modern, fresh style. The Chardonnay/Rebula dominant blend is 55% Chardonnay and 45% Rebula. All the varieties are fermented separately in stainless steel tanks to preserve the freshness and fruitiness of this wine that displays hints of peach and citrus.

Chardonnay, Rebula

The Gašper vineyards are between 10 and 30 years old, and characterised by ‘opoka’ marl soil and excellent sun exposure on terraced, hillside rows. There is also the benefit of altitude, ranging from 80-200 metres above sea level, which helps the grapes retain acidity and aromatics. Vines are single Guyot trained and planted at a density of 4,000 to 5,000 per hectare. All picking is carried out by cooperative partners, family members and friends, which allows for a careful selection of fruit that enhances the quality of the final wine.

55% Chardonnay, 45% Rebula.

All fruit was pressed using a pneumatic press. 95% of the wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks with the remainder fermented in large 6,000 litre Slovenian oak casks. Following blending, the wine was matured in 100% stainless steel tanks after spending six months on its lees. In order to retain freshness and acidity, the wine did not undergo malolactic fermentation.

This white wine is light straw in colour, the fresh and fruity nose displaying hints of green apple, pear, peach and citrus. The palate is crisp and rounded with a silky texture.

Surprisingly tasty with fish tacos.