Decanter Mediterranean Fine Wine Encounter: Simcic and Slovenia

Last weekend we went along to support Simcic wooing the public with their Slovenian wines at the Decanter Mediterranean Fine Wine Encounter. With the 'What's bubbling in Slovenia' post on JancisRobinson.com hailing Simcic as bucket-list stuff (see below), as well as Decanter themselves calling them one of the top 5 wineries on show on the day to visit, we're not alone in our thoughts that these wines are worth shouting about. James Suckling also recently rated these wines as 95points, and as his favourite Slovenian producer.

Simcic: Five must-visit wineries at the Decanter Mediterranean Fine Wine Encounter

Slovenian winery Simcic, exclusive to Bancroft Wines in the UK, will be exhibiting at Decanter's Mediterranean Fine Wine Encounter in March. Simic is rated as number two in their top five must-visit wineries taking part in the event, out of a total of almost 70.

“The vineyards of Simčič straddle the border between Italy and Slovenia in an area called the Brda hills. Famed for its mineral-rich sandstone and marl soil, this region also reaps the benefits of warm Mediterranean air on one side, and shelter from colder alpine influences on the other thanks to the Trnovoska Plateau; all three factors being recognised as far back as the Romans for being conducive to quality winemaking.

The farm was established in the latter half of the 19th century by Anton Simčič, who also built an inn and general store in the local village, plus a wine merchant in Vienna.

At the helm since 1988 has been Marjan Simčič who has overseen a transition towards more organic principles and the banishing of insecticides and chemical fertilisers.

For many, Simčič represents the apex of the Slovenian wine world, and it truly makes extraordinary wines full of personality and charm, as evidenced by the volume of awards it has been garlanded with around the world.”

For more information please click here.

Decanter's Andrew Jefford on lessons from Simčič's Opoka Rebula, Slovenia

Jefford on Monday: Lessons the Bottles Taught Me

Some wines please; others both please and inform. The wines below are some of those which taught me most this year. I've quoted vintage and producer's name, but it's not always the named wine itself which matters so much as what that wine represents.

Bush vines in Swartland (Image: Andrew Jefford)

1) 2009 Opoka Rebula, Simčič, Slovenia
I criss-crossed the Italian/Slovenian border with two Dutch colleagues at fruit-blossom time, savouring the haunting strangeness of the grape the Slovenians call Rebula and the Italians Ribolla Gialla. The lesson: just how diverse the world of white wines in fact is. This is a comprehensively open, rich, softly chewy wine evoking an eerie world of allusions: cheese, meat, straw, mushrooms, yellow fruits, honey, umami. If you could drink the past, this is surely how it should taste.

 

Reproduced from Decanter.com 

Read the full article here.

Suckling on Simcic: 95 points and favourite of three

James Suckling's recent report on Slovenian wines reveals Simcic is one of his three favourite producers in Slovenia - re-posted with all tasting notes here below.

Marjan and Bancroft's James Wainscott at our Annual Portfolio Tasting at the Westbury this February

TASTING REPORT: 30 OUTSTANDING SLOVENIAN WINES

September 30th, 2014

"I have been a fan of top Slovenian wines for some time now. I know a number of the best producers. I appreciate their beautiful vineyards and their passion for winemaking.