2022 Damijan Podversic – Kaplja – Venezia Giulia – IGT – Bianco

Damijan Podversic is one of the great names of Friulian white wine. Since 1988 he has farmed Monte Calvario, a hill above Gorizia on the Slovenian border, where he started with an abandoned vineyard that had lain untouched since the First World War. Guided by his mentor Josko Gravner, he works with long skin macerations, native yeasts and old wood, without filtration. The vines grow on ponca, the poor marl and sandstone soil of the Collio, between the Julian Alps and the Adriatic.

Kaplja – Slovenian for “drop” – is Damijan’s white blend of 40% Chardonnay, 30% Friulano and 30% Malvasia Istriana. The grapes macerate on their skins for 60–90 days in open oak vats, fermenting spontaneously without temperature control. The wine then ages for 36 months in large oak barrels and a further 12 months in bottle before release.

Deep golden-amber in colour, with aromas of ripe yellow fruit, apricot, honey, dried herbs and a touch of spice. Full, textured and savoury on the palate, with gentle grip from the skins, lively acidity and a long, saline finish. Damijan recommends serving his whites at around 15°C – never too cold – ideally decanted. Perfect with white meats, risotto, mushrooms and mature cheeses.