There are so many areas throughout the world producing good wine, sometimes it’s hard to keep track of them. The two wines showcased here are a prime example, produced in the Brda (pronounced beer-da) region of Slovenia near the Italian border, and providing excellent value in crisp, delicious white wine. If this is any indication of the quality of Slovenian wines then it would be prudent to spend much more time researching this country. We’ll certainly do that, and will be writing some in depth articles on the area and its wines. But until then here is a little preview.
Wine: 2012 Goriska Brda, Avia Sauvignon Blanc
Winery Location: Brda, Slovenia
Tasted By: Neil & Cheri Date: October 2014
Tasting Notes: – Light straw in color with golden hints, carries a nose of peach and tropical fruit, maybe a little grass but very much in the background. There is some herbaceousness as well, and you’re struck with the fact that the nose is complex, but still clean. On the palate the wine is bright and clean, with nice acid and balance. It might not be quite dry, but it’s close. Peach and stone fruit, as well as some tropical highlights hit the palate. Overall this wine is exceedingly pleasing, and drinks beautifully. It would be great with seafood and poultry, or some spare time and a comfy chair. Maybe some cheese and crackers. It’s just good.
Price Point – $5.99. Insane but true. This could easily be twice the price. If you like good, inexpensive Sauvignon Blanc look no further.
Would We Buy It? – absolutely, we have and we will buy more. This will be a staple in our cellar, as it is just a great value and an overall well made and delicious wine.
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Wine: 2013 Goriska Brda, Avia Pinot Grigio
Winery Location: Brda, Slovenia
Tasted By: Neil & Cheri Date: October 2014
Tasting Notes: – Very pale straw colored with some green notes, this wine throws stone fruit aromas at you. The palate follows suit, and the wine is clean and crisp. We enjoyed it with some baked cod in lemon and butter, where it worked perfectly. We don’t drink much Pinot Grigio, in fact we never drink Pinot Grigio. Maybe that’s a mistake, as this wine is quite nice.
Price Point – $5.99 again, and here we have another good value.
Would We Buy It? – yes we would, and we never buy Pinot Grigio. Maybe it’s that Ramona Pinot Grigio one of the Real Housewives hawks that just turned me off. This might help right the ship here though, as the wine is really good, and really inexpensive.
So there you are, if you like good, crisp white wine and don’t want to pay a lot, then buy these. If you’re in the Providence area you can get them at Bottles Fine Wine on Pitman Street. They have several other varietals as well. We haven’t had quite as much luck with the reds so far, but it’s tough to find values as good as these two represent. Enjoy them. These are no brainer Value List additions.
We will definitely be doing some follow up articles on this region and the Goriska Brda cooperative. This barely scratches the surface.
A votre sante!
[…] Two Great Whites – Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio From Slovenia! […]
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