White Slovenia over £10

The winner of this award also got a gold medal at DWWA 2002 awards...

Sutor

Sutor, the local name for a shoemaker, bottled its first wines back in 1992. They became immediately fashionable, especially for chardonnays during some very oaky days, but the public was raving. Sutor is a 4ha family winery focusing on international varieties i.e. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot at his 4 ha estate.

Mitja Lavrenčič is the owner while younger Primož is still assisting while establishing his own Burja estate that focuses on Pinot Noir and local grapes. His elegant Burja 2008 named by a local harsh wind and a blend of Ribbola, Malvasia and Welschriesling won another gold medal here at the DWWA.

“With Chardonnay we want to keep freshness. And 2008 was perfect for this, as was 2002 – another Decanter Gold medal,“ explains Mitja adding his want to make wine with few interventions. They prefer a subtle, restrained style where nothing stands out, but the whole picture is complete.

The three vineyards for chardonnay are on the very edge of the region, after that the climate becomes really continental and harsh. Chardonnay is fermented in 2000 big barrels using natural yeast only. In order to start fermentation as soon as possible, they add 10% of freshly crushed grapes together with skins into the must. “This is an old traditional recipe from Vipava Valley”, Mitja explains.

Personaly, I think Sutor makes one of the most delicate wines in the country, very Burgunidan in style. And don’t forget, this is the country where consumers still prefer immediate sensation like power and intensity. That makes Sutor even more praiseworthy.

Available in USA at Indie.Wineries NY; 21,00 $.

www.sutor.si; +386 5 3669 367

Written by Robert Gorjak