Piquentum Malvazija 2021

Piquentum Malvazija 2021

The climate, red and white soils, everything in Istria is perfect for quality viticulture. Istria is the northern edge of Mediterranean, and in the winter it can be very cold when the strong wind bura comes from the north. In September, when usually vintage takes place, it is chilly during the night and this helps to maintain nice acidity and aromas in the grapes.

The most significant typical sort is the Istrian Malvasia, a white sort grown on almost two thirds of the entire grapevine plantations extending over this area.

For Piquentum, grapes are hand picked and then slowly pressed into tank without temperature control. Since the winery is converted into concrete water tanks, the temperature is a constant 10-11ºC all year long. This is perfect for aging, but this is often too cold to get a native fermentation started. Using fans to draw in the warmer outside air to around 14ºC, our wines complete a wild ferment without the use of added yeast, bacteria, enzymes, or any additives. After a long and slow fermentation without stalling fermentation or cold soaks, the wines are bottled and ready to be enjoyed.

Appellation: Istria, Croatia (Ees-tree-ya)

Composition: 100% Malvazija Istarska (Malvasia Istriana)

Climate: Mediterranean

Soils: Flysch (white soil), 20% Karst (red soil)

Exposure: Southwestern

Maceration & Aging: fermented in 70% barrel and 30% stainless steel after 3-4 days on the skins in open vats

Alcohol: 13.8%

Residual Sugar: 3.1 g/l

Acidity 5.1 g/l