You might be a fan of Beyoncé, Bad Bunny, or Shakira and know all their hits, but if you've never listened to Bach, Mozart, or Beethoven, you're missing out on where it all began. The same goes for wine: knowing today's whites and reds is all well and good, but to truly understand them, one must look to their roots. In Slovenia, at the heart of Collio Brda, those roots have been narrating history for centuries.
We find ourselves in Kojsko, a place where wine is not merely a beverage but a living culture. As early as 1787, the first steps were taken towards grape classification, and since then, these hills have witnessed generations working the land with passion. The soil, a mosaic of clay and limestone known as Ponca, imparts minerality, freshness, and longevity to each bottle, defining the character of the region's wines.
It is in this setting that the magic of Marinic wines is born. Alis Marinic, deeply rooted in the Slovenian land and founder of the historic family winery, brings character, tension, and soul. Alongside him, Charles de Nouë, grandson of Jeanne Leflaive and heir to centuries of Burgundian expertise, together with winemaker Anthony Colas, infuses each vintage with finesse, precision, and elegance. The result is a perfect dialogue between local tradition and French vision.
Sotto la Chiesa Bigliana II Cru is a chardonnay that embodies this philosophy. It hails from 30-year-old vines planted on ponca and is the winery's most important cuvée, crafted only from the crus that offer the greatest depth and complexity, following the Grand Cru mentality of Burgundy. Fermentation is spontaneous, and the aging process combines steel and small wooden barrels over 24 months, preserving freshness, character, and authenticity. Organically unverified, yet profoundly respectful of the land.
Savoury, dynamic, and elegant, each sip of Sotto la Chiesa Bigliana II Cru serves as a reminder that, much like music, to understand the present, one must know the past. In this case, the past tastes of ponca and Collio Brda.