Tre Bicchieri 2026, the best wines of Brda in Slovenia awarded by Gambero Rosso

In the North-East of the boot, if we venture into the splendid terraced hills of the Collio Goriziano and cross the national border into Slovenia, we suddenly find ourselves in the Brda district. At first, the landscape looks very similar, but as we continue inland it becomes increasingly wild, with steeper hills characterised by traditionally small vineyards, surrounded by endemic flora that maintains biodiversity and provides an ideal habitat for insects, birds and other wildlife.

© Photo Dario Bragaglia

The Brda territory

The terroir of Brda is characterised by unique and complex interactions between climate, soil and man. The sub-Mediterranean climate, created by the proximity of the Adriatic Sea and the Julian Alps, brings mild winters, hot dry summers and generally sufficient rainfall, which is the only source of water for the vineyards. The soil is mainly composed of Eocene flysch, locally called Opoka, formed by an accumulation of alternating sedimentary layers of sandstone and marl rich in calcite, the legacy of an ocean that existed hundreds of millions of years ago.

When a vineyard is renewed, the soil is dug to a depth of at least 1.5 metres to create the living space necessary for the development of the vine’s root system, which must withstand long periods without rainfall. Viticultural practices in the vineyards of Brda are oriented towards sustainability and generally use natural materials for poles, ties, and supporting dry stone walls. Most of the work is carried out by hand, especially the harvest, given the generally small size of the estates.

The wines of Brda from native and international grape varieties

The most widespread grape variety is rebula (ribolla gialla), which represents over 20% of the entire vineyard surface, and thrives on the steepest slopes of Brda. It is characterised by a typical floral and fruity bouquet which, together with the minerality and salinity perceived on the palate, highlights the uniqueness of the territory. Tocai friulano is also traditionally cultivated, which when vinified assumes different names: Sauvignonasse, Sauvignon Vert, Jakot, Zelena Sauvignon and others. Among the international grape varieties, Chardonnay and Sauvignon stand out among the whites, while the most cultivated reds are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.

Here is the general picture of a wine-growing region that for some years now you have found in the Gambero Rosso Vini d’Italia guide – an exception, compared to the “Wines of Italy” – but one that is well worth knowing. Also this year, in the publication you will find several wineries from Brda, for a total of 87 wines. Of these, as many as 22 reached our final tastings and four obtained the highest recognition. For their particularity and uniqueness, they are truly worth trying.

Tre Bicchieri 2026 of Brda Slovenia

Here are the wines that have obtained the highest recognition in the Vini d’Italia 2026 guide of Gambero Rosso.