Tre Bicchieri 2024, Brda Slovenia's best wines awarded by Gambero Rosso

Brda Slovenia's Tre Bicchieri 2024

Brda Slovenia's Tre Bicchieri 2024

Brda wine country stretches over the westernmost part of Slovenia, blending seamlessly with the hilly landscape of its Italian counterpart. Viticulture in the region can trace its roots back to Roman times, showcasing a tradition that spans over two millennia. Rather than bustling urban centers, this land is dotted with quaint villages where families, often spanning multiple generations, pass down time-honored expertise and experiences.

Brda Slovenia's Tre Bicchieri 2024. The most popular grape varieties

Covering an area of 1,830 hectares, Brda's vineyards make up over 25% of Slovenia's vine-covered terrain. With slopes ranging from 20 to 50%, these vineyards are predominantly terraced. The soil is mainly constituted of Eocene flysch, locally termed “opoka” (or "ponca" in Italian), which is a mix of sandstone and marl. The predominant grape variety here is rebula (ribolla gialla), which historical records place in the region as far back as the 13th century. This grape lends itself to diverse winemaking interpretations; indeed, this year several producers showcased various versions of Rebula, from current-vintage, annata wines to aged reserves, sparkling (primarily Metodo Classico) to those macerated on skins (often in buried amphorae). Tocai friulano is another widely cultivated grape, which, once vinified, assumes various names: sauvignonasse, sauvignon vert, jakot, zelena sauvignon, and others. Among the international varietals present, chardonnay stands out in Brda, and our tastings revealed some truly exceptional interpretations.

Brda Slovenia's Tre Bicchieri 2024. Confirmations and novelties

And now, to the Tre Bicchieri awards. This year, once again, the highest accolade was granted to four distinct wines. We start with the most familiar names: Marian Simčič shines this year with his Chardonnay Opoka Jordano Cru '20, followed by Vini Noüe Marinič with their Chardonnay Groblia Vedrignano II Cru '20 and Jakončič with Rebula Carolina '19. Making its Tre Bicchieri debut is Zanut, with a remarkable Bianco Jama '20. Bravo!