A visit to Slovenian Sparkling Wine Medot
31st May 2018
My last few months of travels have taken me to many famous sparkling wine regions including the favourites of Champagne and Prosecco both of which give us bubbly lovers some of the best flavours in the world of fine wines. One recent visit was a first for me though and kindly arranged by Marin Berovic as part of my invitation to judge at the 60th International Wine Competition – Vino Ljubljana. A few days was spare before so Marin drove myself and fellow guest Elsie Pells, who had arrived from South Africa, on a most relaxing yet packed with new experiences and ‘learning on every new winery visit’ tour.
Our first winery visit really sticks in my mind as it was a ‘welcome to Slovenia‘ occasion for me (I had only just landed at the airport and off we went to our first winery with no time for coffee or tea in between) and where the first taste of the country was Medot Sparkling Wine and boy what a welcomed wave of flavours it offered us – I certainly appreciated that glass of bubbly!
“The wine tradition of the Simčič family goes back to 1812. Throughout the decades, their links to the vines and the wine grew and consolidated, while in the 1990’s Miro Simčič founded the present trademark Medot on the basis of the family’s knowledge.” Quote from the official Medot website.
Their winery located in the West of Slovenia towards the Italian board, a location of villages and hills with an expansive 2,000 hectares of vineyards. Their winery was undergoing works when we visited and will certainly look a fantastic location when finished including a restaurant for consumers to further enjoy the wines from Medot. I hope to re-visit when the winery is complete!
The family also own several hotel and restaurants and we were treated to a wonderful evening with Simon Simčič at his boutique hotel Gredič in the village of Ceglo – Here is discovered how well their sparkling wine paired with fine foods!
My tasting notes for Medot I tasted are below:
Medot Goriska Brda Millésime Brut – “Nice golden colour. Crisp, citrus, chalky flavours… Not too dry, but offering a tasting sensation – ideal gastronomic wine.”
Medot Cuvée Brut Penina Methode Classique 2011 – “Warm golden colour. Buttery, yellow stone fruits, brioche nose. Dry kick, refreshing and crisp, citrus, notes of biscuits / cream.”
Medot & Family 2016 Rumena Rebula (still wine) – “Floral, citrus, marzipan, peach, pear nose. Soft yellow fruit flavours, smooth length.“
Christopher Walkey
Co-founder of Glass of Bubbly. Journalist and author focused on Champagne & Sparkling Wines and pairing them with foods.