Let’s combine two wonderful creations from the small European country of Slovenia, with some of their Sparkling Wines and their national dish of Potica.

Potica is considered a Slovenian dessert, made more often from bread than a cake, but always including nuts of the baker’s choice, we’ve gone with the popular walnut.

Potica (pronounced poh-TEET-za)

The dish can often be found around holidays or special occasions in Slovenia and even Croatia.

Throughout history any social standing could enjoy a Potica around the holidays, it’s just the richer families would enjoy cream, walnuts, more expensive and harder to find delicacies whereas the poorer households would use what they had like herbs, leftovers or pieces of fat in their Potica.

The first evidence of Potica was written in a Slovenian book back during the 16th century.

Love Wine Love Slovenia

Penina Štrukelj

The Štrukelj family dates back three decades ago when they started their love for viticulture, the first grape they planted with Malvasia, but over time they steadily grew and then planted the Chardonnay grape, a bit later the Rebula grape and then the Merlot grape.

Today they total 3,500 vines, the Sparkling Wine we are about to enjoy is made with 50% Chardonnay and 50% Rebula.

They are a small family winery, displaying their wonderful family property on their label, they have only produced 10,000 bottles of Sparkling Wine so to able to enjoy this now with one of Slovenia’s national dishes is a privilege.

Penina Štrukelj – Brut Nature

Aroma 👃 “Rich creamy melted butter, crispt green apple skin, exhibits characters of a Champagne on the aroma.”

Flavour 👅 “A touch of green citrus, with green apple flesh, a touch of minerals and herbs, with a nice display of a creamy texture finishing it all off in the palate.”

If you leave it in the glass for a moment, this Slovenian Sparkling Wine displays characteristics of a Champagne, a wonderfully crafted Sparkling Wine from Slovenia.

The Štrukelj family took home a Silver Medal in the Creamy Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2021 for their Brut Nature Sparkling Wine which is available to buy on their website.

Vino Leber

Vino Leber is located in Slovenia, right next to the Austrian border, The Leber Wine House is over 200 years old and is open to welcome wine lovers in their modern tasting room.

Vino Leber – Rosé Penina

Aroma 👃 “Like a dessert in a glass, spearmint on peach, raspberries and floral notes on the aroma.”

Flavour 👅 “More spearmint with ripe peach, soft and delicate, yet won’t step down from a fight with candy raspberries on the palate.”

Gold Medal Winner in the Dessert Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2021

Potica and Slovenian Sparkling Wine Pairing

Potica and Štrukelj Pairing Notes – “A soft explosion of fizz and green citrus rocket through the Pairing, quickly lying down to leave a blended Pairing with all the brioche/bread characters, walnut, cinnamon with green apple and other exciting fruits in the distance.”

Potica and Leber Pairing Notes – “A strong bust from the Sparkling Wine overtakes the Pairing, but after the mid-length it combines nicely, leaving hints of spearmint and peach until the close.”