Bancroft Wines at SITT Spring Tastings 2017

We sent teams to both SITT Spring events, in Manchester on Monday 27th February and London on Wednesday 1st March, and had a marvelous time showcasing our selected wines to visitors, both familiar and new. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to taste with us - we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!

Some members of the Bancroft team at SITT London

Below is a list of all of the bottles that made an appearance on our table at both events, including some new listings:

Sparkling

Champagne Gratiot-Pillière Tradition Brut NV

Lambrusco di Modena, Cantina della Volta 2009

White

Grillo, Il Folle 2015

Hartenberg Riesling 2014

Cheninsolite, Alex Cady 2014

Sin Palabras Albariño, Adegas Castro Brey 2015

Garnatxa Blanca, Herència Altés

Sa Fita, Es Fangar 2015

Ribolla, Marjan Simčič 2015

Ataraxia Chardonnay 2015

Red

Saumur Champigny Tuffe, Chateau du Hureau 2012

Elena Walch Pinot Nero 2015

Garnatxa Negra, Herència Altés 2015

Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz, Hartenberg 2013

Cotes-du-Rhone Reserve Rouge, Domaine de Grand Veneur 2015

The tempting line-up

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.

Recent press for Matosevic: CH4's Sunday Brunch and Ham and High

With Ivica Matosevic heading up our masterclass at Bancroft's Annual Portfolio Tasting last week, it seems he is on fire at the moment when it comes to press and public interest.

Ivica hosting our Eastern Discoveries masterclass last week

Matosevic had five minutes of fame on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch at the beginning of the month and also feautures in Liz Sagues' latest column on emerging regions. Contact us for more info on his wines, and on Simcic's from Slovenia... there's just something a little bit magical about them...

 

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.

Win(e)ding off the beaten track: Matosevic and Simcic in 48 hours

Last week Bancroft's Alex and Neb headed to Croatia and Slovenia with a group of trusty, enthusiastic, wine-trade clients. Over 48 hours they visited our esteemed producers Marjan Simcic and Ivica Matosevic. 

Here's more of what they got up to. Alex Harper reports...

This was a wine trip like no other. It would take us through 3 countries in 48 hours visiting the lesser known premium production regions of Goriska Brda in Slovenia and Istria in Croatia. It was to prove to be a lesson in passion, art, and for our part, endurance as first Marjan, and then Ivica opened their arms and their wine cellars to us with exceptional generosity.

Bancroft Wines at The London Wine Fair: three days in words and pictures

It was one of the busiest week's of the wine trade last week but the Bancroft team worked it with reputable enthusiasm alongside 12 of our esteemed producers who flew in from around the globe to present their wines to the trade.

A great show - cheers!

A little Serbo-Croat goes a long way, AKA Neb's Summer Holiday July 2013

0300 is not the time to get up unless there is very good reason....flying to visit Marjan Simcic in Slovenia and Ivica Matosovic in Croatia provided the reason to get out of bed. The only good thing is that you can pack an awful lot into a day like this, especially when you don't turn in until gone four the next morning, but that is getting ahead of ourselves. 

Marjan Simcic's Leonardo wins a Gold medal in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2013

Marjan Simčič's superb sweet wine, Leonardo 2006, has been awarded a Gold medal and the Slovenian Sweet over £15 Trophy in the recent Decanter World Wine Awards 2013.

Feeling inspired in the Goriska Brda, Slovenia

Last week I spent a fabulous week touring the north of Italy and Slovenia with my husband, who luckily loves wine as much as me. Despite an early morning flight and feeling very tired and unsteady after a fantastic wedding the night before…we arrived in Venice in good spirits and were ready to tackle the Italian roads! Or so we thought…. 

Imbibe's Editor recommends Simcic's Leonardo for Christmas

Marjan Simcic's Leonardo seems to have ticked all the boxes for Chris Losh, Editor of Imbibe Magazine, who highly recommends it to accompany your Christmas mince pie or cheese board!

Jancis Robinson includes Simcic's Pinot Noir in her festive reds selection

Jancis Robinson has recently chosen her best reds out of over 10,000 wines she tasted and included the 2009 Pinot Noir from Marjan Simcic, Slovenia.

Marjan Simcic shines in Jancis' article on Independents

Jancis Robinson has just released an article on independent wine merchants following the SITT tasting in September. Bancroft had many wines in the article but it was Marjan Simcic that shone.

 

Jamie Goode reviews Marjan Simcic

Jamie Goode, Wine Anorak, has just written about the lunch we held for Marjan Simcic (Goriska Brda, Slovenia) at The Square. He rates Marjan and his wines very highly, labelling them as "impressive wines from Goriska Brda". We certainly agree!

Sommelier trip to Slovenia and Croatia - day Two

9 am Monday morning, a few sleepy but smiley faces- we were all still digesting what was an incredible marathon of superb Slovenian food and even better wines. We all had a different favourite Simcic wine from the last night that underlines the sheer quality that runs throughout his range. Joao was impressed with the Opoka Sauvignon, Isa with that ultimate sweetie Leonardo, Colin and Neil could not resist Opoka Merlot, David was drawn in between red and white Teodor and Igor found Chardonnay Selection irresistible. Still we were unanimous that there is no compromise in the quality of Marjan's organic and biodynamic wines. Marjan's unparalleled passion coupled with the great potential of his Collio/Brda terroir help to produce really exceptional wines.

A few double espressos later we were on our way to the neighbouring Istrian Peninsula to visit Croatian star winemaker Ivica Matosevic. Not completely intentionally (we missed the right turn!), our journey lead us through the swathes of unspoilt forests and hills of Slovenia and Croatia. These are the famous hunting grounds full of pheasants, wild boars and deer. Istria is also famous for truffles and if we add oysters and fresh fish from the Adriatic, it is no wonder that this area is fast becoming one of the gastronomic hot spots of Europe.

Slovenia and Croatia Trip in pictures - Part 2 Vina Matosevic, Croatia

Day two of their tasting trip and the team are off to Croatia to visit Vina Matosevic. The photo story is narrated by Neb Gusic, director.

5 hours later and we leave Slovenia.  After a few hours in the car, we are at Matosevic's in Istria, Croatia.

He greets us properly – with the glass of wine.

Slovenia and Croatia Trip in pictures - Part 1 Marjan Simcic, Slovenia

Neb Gusic shares his photos from his memorable trip to Slovenia and Croatia visiting Marjan Simcic and Vina Matosevic with a group of clients.

We arrive at Goriska Brda, Slovenia

Leonardo, Marjan Simcic - the ultimate sweetie

Having our team in Slovenia visiting Marjan Simcic, reminded us in the office of just how amazing the Leonardo wine is! The Sommelier Wine Awards 2012 voted it as the best sweet wine of the competition. An unbelievable wine, named after Marjan's son, Leonardo.

Sommelier Trip to Slovenia and Croatia, by Neil McAndrew

Slovenia and Croatia in 36 hours was always going to be a tall order but we are all ready to go and looking forward to an incredible trip. We are taking a group of clients to see Marjan Simcic and Matosevic in Croatia. The group includes myself and Neb, Isa Bal (Head Sommelier, Fat Duck), Joao Pires (Head Sommelier, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal), Jacques Savary De Beauregard  (Head Sommelier, Home House), Colin Manning (Owner, 60 Hope Street Liverpool), Igor Sotric (Head Sommelier, China Tang at Dorchester) and David Seccombe (General Manager, Christopher’s Covent Garden).