Venezia Giulia IGT Kaplja 2021 Damijan Podversic

The Kaplja is a skin-contact wine from Damijan Podversic, a winemaker from the Collio Goriziano, a borderland where estates straddle Italy and Slovenia. In 1999, Damijan — his mentor was Josko Gravner, the father of macerated and amphora-aged wines, who in the 1990s brought this ancient winemaking method from Georgia to Italy and made this style of wine famous worldwide. Macerated wines are made from white grapes that remain in contact with their skins for days, weeks, or months. The wine takes on hues and aromas different from those of classic white wine, which is why the term "orange wine" is used.

The Kaplja is made from Chardonnay, Friulano and Malvasia Istriana grapes and is vinified on the skins. Once pressed, the must remains in contact with the skins for 36 months in large oak casks. The wine undergoes spontaneous fermentation, without the addition of external yeasts, and is not filtered before bottling.

In the glass, the wine appears an intense golden yellow with warm orange nuances. The nose is complex, opening to aromas of white flowers, peach and honey, alongside delicately toasted notes. The palate is layered, full and supple, with long persistence.

It is advisable to let the wine breathe for at least an hour before serving. The Kaplja pairs very well with seafood appetizers and risottos, rich savory pies, and grilled meat and fish.