ZELEN 2022

Wine district:

Vipava Valley, SW SLOVENIA

Vintage:

2022

Variety:

100 % Zelen

Wineyard:

Manče, University of Nova Gorica estate, 1 ha

Soil:

marl

Wine Yield:

40 hl/ha

Harvesting:

hand-picked

Bottling:

January 2023

Production:

2000 bottles / 165 cases

Alcohol:

12.0 vol. %

Sugar:

1.4 g/L

Acid:

6.98 g/L

PH:

2.98

Recomended serving temperature

12-14°C

Wine Technology:

Maceration of cooled grapes at 5°C, 5 hours long fermentation at controlled temperature between 15°C and 16°C. 3 months of resting on yeast with active batonaging. Filtered before bottling.

Wine Description:

Wine is fresh, slightly mineral with intense vegetative varietal note. Impressions of white flowers and dry herbs, grass, hay.

Food and Wine

Because of lightness recommended as aperitif, with all seafood, especially with raw carpaccio, shrimp, shell. Because of relatively high alcohol also with white meat.

Weather Characteristics of Vintages:

The word dry probably best describes this vintage. What’s more, next to 2003, the vintage will go down as the driest in the winery’s history so far. Until the beginning of the harvest on October 17 (harvest of sparkling wine), there was only a third of the usual amount of precipitation (less than 300 l). The relatively late start of vegetation in April was followed by four extremely dry months with almost no precipitation. The need for spraying and protecting the vineyards was minimal, with the lowest pesticide consumption to date. The dry period during the growing season showed how important the winegrower’s experience and knowledge are. Only vineyards with moderate growth, appropriate crop and the right technology managed to survive in a proper condition. Early harvest allowed for a suitable ratio between sugars and acids. The wines are therefore slightly lighter but fresh and playful. The harvest took a long time, almost 50 days passed between the harvest for the sparkling wine and the cabernet sauvignon. The vintage can be described as unique but excellent.

The Minister of Health warns: Drinking alcohol can be harmful to health!