06 Jul Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Marjan Simčič 2016 Ribolla, Goriška Brda, Slovenia

Ribolla is an ancient white grape that originates from the Italy-Slovenia border. While Ribolla is grown most prominently in the Friuli region of northeast Italy, the grape is also found just across the border in Slovenia where it is prominently grown in the Brda region. Brda, shortened from Goriška Brda, is one of the smallest wine-growing regions in Slovenia and home to Marjan Simčič whose 2016 Ribolla, Goriška Brda, Slovenia is the Please The Palate wine of the week. The Simčič family began growing vines and making wine in 1860. Today the winery is run by fifth generation Marijan Simčič who took over management of the farm in 1988. The family owns 18 hectares of vineyards, some older than 55 years, both on the Slovenian and on the Italian side of the Brda region (Collio). The vineyards in the Goriška Brda region, which is thought to be the best place for Ribolla to grow due to the marl soils, is only twelve miles from the sea. The Ribolla grapes were picked and underwent 48 hours of maceration and fermentation with natural yeasts in stainless steel barrel. After fermentation, the wine spent seven months on the lees in stainless steel tanks. The Marjan Simčič 2016 Ribolla, Goriška Brda, Slovenia is a light yellow with rose gold accents. The nose of the wine is intriguing with floral notes first and then fruit notes of lemon, grapefruit, and green apple. On the palate, the wine is bone dry on the palate with a balance of minerality and acidity. And there is an herbal note at the end. Salads, sushi, seafood, chicken, pork, this is a wine that is very versatile. The current vintages in the market of the Marjan Simčič Ribolla, Goriška Brda are 2019 and 2020 and it retails for $18-$20. I enjoyed this 2016 Ribolla that has a few years of age on it.