Sweet over £10

And the winner is...

Dveri-Pax, Sipon Slamnato, Radgona-Kapela,

Podravje, Slovenia 2009 (12.5%)

Velvety, rich style with floral, fruity aromas. Honey

and caramel notes on a complex palate, layered with

dried apricots, peaches, apples and quince. Beautiful.

UK: £29/375ml; Sav

Up against a raft of fabulous wines from such classic regions as Sauternes, Alsace, Burgenland and Tokaji, as well as former champions Seifried, this year’s Trophy winner represents a fantastic feat for Slovenia, and the Dveri-Pax winery. The estate was only founded in 2002, by Benedictine monks from the Austrian Admont monastery. Following Slovenia’s independence, they were given back land that the state took away from them after World War II . Today, Dveri-Pax cultivates 68 hectares of vines which it hopes to expand to 100ha. Danilo Flakus, director and chief oenologist, has been with the winery since it was founded, and is known for his meticulous work in the vineyards, where he has made many innovations.

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