GIORGIO CLAI, wine producer in Krasica in Western Istria, Croatia, around 25 miles (40km) from the city of Trieste across the Italian border.

VINEYARDS | 8ha of vines. 5,700 vines/ha. Mainly native varieties such as Malvasia, Refosco, Plavina and Muscat. Girgio 

TERROIR | Cooling influences both from the Ucka mountain and from the Adriatic whose sea air is drawn up the valley of the river Mirna.

SOIL | White Istrian clay which lies on a permeable bedroock of limestone and dolomite. 

ORGANIC CERTIFICATION | 2015 Giorgio thinks this was his first certified organic vintage (he told me at the Real Wine Fair 2017), adding that he was looking to get Demeter Biodynamic certification as well.  

OLIVES | 3ha of olive trees.

SPARKLING WINES

BRUT NATURE, PJENUSAVO | 2015 Malvasia Istriana, Chardonnay, Plavina. 13% alc. Traditional method.

WHITE WINES

OTTOCENTO BIJELI | 2015 Malvasia Istriana, Pinot gris, Chardonnay, Sauvignon. 13.5% alc.

JAKOV MALVAZIJA | 2015 Dry white wine from 100% Malvasia Istriana on rocky clay. 14,5%. Hand picked. Fermentation on the skins in open vats, without the addition of selected yeasts and enzymes. Aging in large wooden casks.

RED WINES

BROMBONERO | 2013 100% Refosco. 14,5% alc.

OTTOCENTO CRNI | Refosco, Merlot. / 2015 14,5% alc.

SWEET WINES

TASEL | 2015 Moscato Bianco on rocky clay. 15%. Fermentation on the skins in open vats, without the addition of selected yeasts and enzymes. Aging in small wooden barrels. Sold in half bottles.