A visit to Slovenian Sparkling Wine Bjana

In the heart of the Goriška Brda wine growing region you will find Bjana, a family run winery producing an award winning selection of fine sparkling wines which are matured within Chateau Dorišče, home to one of the oldest cellars in Slovenia.

Miran Sirk is the current owner and winemaker (his great grandfather, Franc Obljubek, purchased the estate following the World War One) and along with his wines also offers luxurious accommodation for guests at Chateau Dorišče – This offers anyone exploring the region’s wineries an ideal stop off place along with its outstanding tasting room making it a fine sparkling wine destination. As you enjoy a walk through the wines in their tasting room you have a glorious view of vineyards and hill top villages to admire, Chateau Dorišče is in such an ideal location.

The quality of sparkling wines are mostly sliver and above medal winning – The edge of the Alpine region and the flow of Mediterranean air influence enables a great complex character to be discovered within sparkling wines from this region. Bjana uses three grape varieties in their sparkling wines which are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir along with the local grape Ribolla Gialla.

“Penina is a Slovenian word for sparkling wine“

My notes from the tasting I had chez Bjana included:

Bjana Brut Terroir: “Vanilla, brioche and blossom nose. Taste gives a delicate, slightly dry citrus flavours – smooth length.”

Bjana Brda Brut Methode Classique: “Apricot, chalk, mineral nose. Refreshing taste, citrus, mineral flavours.”

For me, their sparkling wines are itching to be paired with fine foods. I get to taste many sparkling wines from Champagne to English fizz and I would say that half the time I will enjoy fine quality sparkling wines which I see fit for aperitif or that relaxing afternoon sat in the garden then I will also taste some which for me belong on the restaurant table as you sit down to a fine meal of many courses – Bjana for me has its place on my table. On the day we had both local cheese and ham which the wine paired very well with enhancing its fruity / vanilla notes and easily cutting through the fat from the dishes to leave the full flavours of the cheese and ham tasted.