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

■ Appearance: A beautiful pale golden color with natural turbidity. Its unfiltered character is fully expressed.

■ Aroma: A highly aromatic and wild bouquet of acacia blossom, ripe yellow apple, and dried chamomile, with subtle underlying nuances of sea salt and wet stone.

■ Palate: Fresh, lively, and exceptionally rich in texture. Juicy orchard fruit is complemented by a delicate bitterness of almond on the finish. A mouthwatering, abundant minerality that speaks directly of the limestone soils drives the entire experience.

Piquentum Malvazija Istarska 2023
Located in a cellar converted from a historic cistern in Bužet, Istria, Piquentum is a visionary natural wine project by French-Croatian winemaker Dimitri Brečević. By focusing on organic farming and natural fermentation, it strips away modern noise to reveal the true, untouched voice of Istrian terroir.

Malvazija Istarska is Istria's undisputed queen of white wines. This world-class Mediterranean variety is highly acclaimed worldwide for its vibrant aromas, fresh acidity, and distinctive finish with a delicate bitterness of almond.

Grapes are strictly hand-harvested from organic, dry-farmed vineyards and naturally fermented without temperature control using indigenous wild yeasts. Aged on the lees to build a rich, creamy texture, the wine is bottled completely unfiltered and unfined, with only a minimal amount of added sulfites to preserve its living essence.

The wine's fresh acidity, saline minerality, and rich texture make it a dream partner for fresh, vibrant dishes and herb-forward cuisine:

• ■ Fresh raw oysters or white fish carpaccio: The wine's saline minerality and bright citrus notes act like a squeeze of fresh lemon over raw seafood.
• ■ Vegetable tempura: The fresh acidity cuts through the richness of the frying oil, while the floral aromas beautifully enhance the delicate flavors of the vegetables.
• ■ Truffle risotto or cream pasta: Aged on the lees, the wine has ample body and texture, pairing beautifully with the rich, creamy, and earthy flavors of truffles native to the Bužet region.

Serving temperature: 10°C–12°C (enjoy at this temperature to bring out its full richness)

Bužet, Istria, Croatia
Grown near Bužet, renowned as the "Truffle Town," in the lush hills of the Istrian peninsula. The region's distinctive "friess" soils—a mix of clay, sandstone, and limestone—combined with the dramatic temperature contrast between warm Adriatic days and cool mountain nights, preserve the grapes' vibrant acidity and complex floral aromas.