#344 Slovenian Wine

In my quest to try wines from different nations, my tasting trip takes me to Slovenia, and two wines from a company called Quercus. Apparently, Quercus means 'oak', with at least a small percentage of all of their wines going into wooden barrels, with their philosophy of "without oak there is neither a good wine cellar not a good wine". (I'd debate that, but won't here!) The grapes are grown just over the border from Marco Felluga's Collio vineyards in the Goriška Brda region - which is Slovenian for Collio Goriziano and with consultant Angel Muir MW on board, I had hope for these wines that cost between £9 and £10 per bottle. I tried two of these wines, liked one and wasn't impressed by the other.

2007 Quercus Pinot Bianco
Smells like it has been a white wine left open for two days at room temperature. A bit of bacon fat, caramel and a little apple Smirnoff! The palate is initially ok, some alcohol coming off the front, with some lemon pith, a bit of citrus juice on the back end but with a fuller texture. It is ok, but not a great wine and I'd be struggling to justify this at £9. 4/10

2009 Quercus Pinot Grigio
Some light, minerally elements on the nose, a bit of lemon rind and some lemon pith. Some mineral notes coming off with a light, fresh zing of lemon and yellow grapefruit. Some bitter elements on the palate, with some sandstone too. A bit of alcohol coming off, but pretty well integrated. The finish is long, zesty, with a nice freshness. Pretty good and would put a lot of Italian Pinot Grigio at the same price point to shame. 6.5/10

There is always the problem when trying a more obscure country's wines that you may allow them flaws that you wouldn't forgive in an Italian or French wine. I think that the Pinot Bianco needs work, but the Grigio is a good wine and well priced. It reminds me of the Zagreus wines from Bulgaria, or the Grace Wines from Japan - they are good wines that are worth the money regardless of where they come from.