Kozlović "Malvasia" Istria, Croatia 2022

FROM VINUM:

THE WINE: Hilly vineyards in small areas called Valle, Santa Lucia, and Kontarini, with southern sun exposure, at an altitude of approximately 240 meters. The area, much like the rest of Istria, Croatia, is made up of gently rolling hills with what the Istrians like to call “Terra Bianca,” or “White Soil” – a combination of flysch, limestone, and white clay.

Minimal amount of spraying, as needed, only with substances approved for sustainable farming in Istria, Croatia.

Grapes were hand-harvested, de-stemmed, followed by one night of maceration, and then fermented in stainless steel tanks. Fermentation was done through high-grade (non-commercial) yeasts. Prior to bottling, blended with approximately 2% of Malvasia that was fermented and aged in oak barrels.

THE PRODUCER: Gianfranco Kozlović is the largest private producer of Malvasia in Istria, and a vocal crusader for quality. The family has been working these vineyards that dot the hillsides of northern Istria for several generations. Since the early 90s, Gianfranco and his wife Antonella have played a key role in putting Croatian Istrian malvasia back on the wine map. They have experimented with different styles and are producing several malvasia wines in their beautiful modern winery today. However, their signature and their claim to fame remains the fresh, crisp, aromatic, mineral, unoaked malvasia.