SEPTEMBER 2024 - SLOVAKIA

Slovakia produces excellent wines, which are` mostly consumed in the country itself.

Geographically, the wine-making area in Slovakia is divided into six regions – all located between latitude 47°44’ and 48°50’. This roughly 120 km wide corridor corresponds with most Austrian regions like Wachau, Baden in Germany as well as Alsace, Chablis, the southern part of Champagne and Loire Valley in France.

Despite the relatively small distances between the largest wine regions, there is an unusually great diversity of microclimates and soils. It ranges from granite to loess, from limestone to clay and from volcanic tuff to loam. The three largest wine growing regions in the southwest of Slovakia – Small Carpathians, Nitra and Southern Slovakia – comprise about 80 % of the country’s vineyards. The majority of the vineyards in Slovakia are at an elevation of 140 m (near the Danube).

Whites

Bazakik Bublean Pet Nat, 2021 Malokarpatska

'100% Fetească Regală fermented using the Methode Ancestral, aka pétillant naturel, or pét-nat. Pét-nat works by bottling wine that is only partially fermented. As the first and only fermentation continues in bottle, the resulting CO2 is trapped. Unlike traditional method, the lees and sediment are not disgorged, adding to the wine's texture and flavor. Expect aromas of bosc pear and roses. Soft bubbles on the palate, with floral/rose notes, orange, and starfruit with a mineral finish.

Bazalik Intro, 2020 Malorkarpatska

This wine was made with 'Fetească Regală, identified around 1920 in Romania. It is a natural crossing of Grasă and Fetească Albă. Grown it in organic way on granite based soils, wine was made by semi carbonic maceration for 10 days, then the wine was pressed and aged in stainless steel tank, this wine was not filtered. Light, somewhat opague apricot color. Soft, earthy apricot aromas. One the palate, tart green apple, juicy acidity, hint of fresh herbs, and cream.

Pivnica Cajkov Pesecka Leanka Princess, 2023 Southern Region

In this “morning version”, we use Leánka grapes from our beloved Stará Hora plot, where the soil is perfect for a lighter wine. We treat its delicate grapes to gentle skin contact and short undisturbed rest on lees, resulting in an extra fresh white with a light bubbly lift. Fun light fizz and vivid acidity, especially in this 2023 vintage – aromas of freshly cut pears, apricots and grapefruit, slight ginger notes. On the palate, green apply, white lily with a hint of cream.

Bazalik Malokarpatska 3 Supy, 2020 Carpathian Region

This wine is a blend of Welschriesling, Silvaner, Gruner Veltliner. Long maceration and spontaneously fermented with skins. The wine was pressed and put into oak and agate barrels, where it matured for one year and irregularly mixed with fine lees. The malolactic fermentation took place spontaneously in the barrel. Unfiltered, unfined. Expect exotic aromas of allspice, ripe apricot, baked pers and clove. Dry and crisp on the palate, flavors of Chamomile, dried orange peel, clove and allspice.

Reds

Bazalik Rysak, 2020 Malokarpatska

A blend of Riesling, St. Laurent, Silvaner. More info coming...

Pivnica Cajkov Tekovsky Tecton Dry Red, 2020/2021 Nitrianska

Frankovka and Alibernet grapes were destemmed, crushed and spontaneously co-fermented in open-top vats. The free run juice goes into old barrels where it finishes fermentation and ages for nearly 2 years. In 2022, we blended it with a bit of 2020 Blaufrankisch for juiciness, and a dash of 2021 Devín (a white grape) for aromatics. Dark fruit, dainty cherry, touch of Devín's rose on the nose. The taste is lighter than its intense colour suggests, mingling dark chocolate pralines with Asian spice.

Matyas Family Estate Ujhegy Pinot Noir, 2018

100% Pinot Noir. Dry Farmed Wine, Low Sulfites Wine, No Filtering, No Fining, Organic Wine, Vegan Wine, Wild Yeast. Bold flavors and aromas and crisp, light body. Aromas of licorice, whiskey barrel, dark cherry and plum. Contrast on the palate with tart, bright cherry, medium tannins, and hints of whiskey barrel.

Matyas Family Estate Somlyo Bio, 2019

A blend of Blaufrankisch, Pinot Noir, Dunaj grapes. "Our red wines are made in a fully traditional way. After a few weeks of skin fermentation they spend one and a half years in oak barrels. Since we work traditionally, each barrel of wine is a bit different from the others. Somlyó is the name of the nature reserve that surrounds our vineyards ." Earthy and herbal aromas surrounding dark fruit of plum and black cherry, notes of cedar. Flavors of tart cranberry and cedar, with drying tannins.