DWWA 2015: Slovenia win is triumph for the underdog, says MW
A sweet wine from Slovenia beat rivals from more established regions in this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards, with the Ptujska Klet, Pullus Laski Riesling, 2012 winning international trophy for Sweet wine over £15.
The Slovenian winery’s victory means it has one of only of 35 coveted international trophies from the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2015.
Decanter World Wine Awards regional chair for Eastern and Central Europe, Caroline Gilby MW, said, ‘It’s a real achievement for a tiny country like Slovenia to win this trophy ahead of so many countries that are more famous for their sweet wines. And while sweet wine is pretty small in production terms for Slovenia, it definitely punches above its weight in quality – because it has both great terroir and a passionate new generation of winemakers.’
She also credited the climate of the Podravje region in helping secure the winning trophy, as it has ‘a great combination of warm sunny days and cool nights that ensures very good ripeness, along with the crisp vibrant acidity that is so important in giving balance and purity of flavour’.
Gilby also has high hopes for what this could mean for the future of Slovenian wines. She added, ‘Recognition at this level should help all of Slovenia’s wines – by raising awareness that this is a wine producing country with world class wines, so I hope that will encourage people to explore the dry whites, reds and sparkling wines too.
‘It’s also great to see another exciting dimension for the grape that has so often been a workhorse in Slovenia’s past.’
Other wines from Slovenia also picked up four gold medals and 11 silvers in this year’s DWWA. See the full results here.
