2021 Piquentum Malvazija Istria Croatia

Winemaker Notes: The color is a bright gold, not a faded oxidative one. In further contrast to Malvazijas grown near the coast, this is the rugged truffle ridden and forested interior. There’s a meaty earthiness that stands up to the acidic olive oils of the area and can pair with fish as well as the heavier gamey meats of the area.

For Piquentum, grapes are hand picked and then slowly pressed into tank without temperature control. Since the winery is converted into concrete water tanks, the temperature is a constant 10-11ºC all year long. This is perfect for aging, but this is often too cold to get a native fermentation started. Using fans to draw in the warmer outside air to around 14ºC, our wines complete a wild ferment without the use of added yeast, bacteria, enzymes, or any additives. After a long and slow fermentation without stalling fermentation or cold soaks, the wines are bottled and ready to be enjoyed.