Malvazija Istarska (Piquentum) 2023 [Piquentum Malvazija Istarska] (Croatia / White Wine / Natural, Unfiltered)

■ Appearance: Beautifully hazy pale gold, showcasing its unfiltered, authentic character.

■ Aroma: A high-toned and wild bouquet of acacia blossoms, ripe yellow apple, and dried chamomile. Hints of sea salt and wet stone underpin the aromatic profile.

■ Palate: Refreshing and vibrant, with a wonderfully rich texture. Juicy orchard fruit flavors are complemented by a hint of almond bitterness on the finish. An appetizing, abundant minerality, straight from the limestone soils, drives the entire experience.

Piquentum Malvazija Istarska 2023
Located in an ancient cistern-turned-cellar in Buzet, Istria, Piquentum is the visionary natural wine project of French-Croatian winemaker Dimitri Brečević. By focusing on organic farming and natural fermentation, Dimitri strips away modern noise to reveal the true, unadulterated voice of Istrian terroir.

Malvazija Istarska is the absolute queen of Istrian white wines. It is a world-class Mediterranean variety globally celebrated for its flamboyant aromas, crisp acidity, and a distinctive, subtly bitter almond finish.

Grapes are rigorously hand-harvested from organically farmed vineyards (dry-farmed) and undergo natural fermentation with wild, indigenous yeasts without temperature control. The wine is aged on fine lees (sur lie) to build its rich, creamy texture and is bottled completely unfiltered and unfined, with only a minimal amount of sulfites added to preserve its living essence.

This wine's refreshing acidity, saline minerality, and rich texture make it a dream partner for fresh, vibrant, and herb-infused dishes:

• ■ Fresh oysters or white fish carpaccio: The wine's saline minerality and bright citrus notes act like a fresh squeeze of lemon on raw seafood.
• ■ Vegetable tempura: Its vibrant acidity cuts through the richness of the fried batter, while its floral notes beautifully complement the delicate flavors of the vegetables.
• ■ Truffle risotto or creamy pasta: The wine's sufficient body and texture gained from aging on lees make it an excellent match for rich, creamy, and earthy truffle dishes typical of the Buzet region.

Serving Temperature: 10℃〜12℃ (Enjoy at this temperature to unlock its full richness)

Buzet, Istria, Croatia
Grown in the lush rolling hills of the Istrian Peninsula, near Buzet, renowned as the "City of Truffles." The unique 'flysch' soil of the region—a blend of marl, sandstone, and limestone—combined with the sharp temperature contrast between warm Adriatic days and cool mountain nights, ensures the grapes retain brilliant acidity and complex floral aromatics.