Malvazija | Skerk

Malvazija | Skerk

Sale price€40,00
White
Friuli Venezia Giulia (IT)
Venezia Giulia IGT
Malvasia Istriana 100%
Enjoy it within 10 years
13,5% ABV
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Production and refinement

Skerk’s Malvasia is born on the Karst plateau, in an extreme environment of exposed limestone rock, scarce red soil, and constant exposure to the Bora, the cold north-eastern wind that dries the grapes and ensures their perfect health. Here, Malvasia Istriana—less aromatic but more austere than other variants—finds one of its most authentic expressions. The vineyards, cultivated according to organic and biodynamic principles, naturally yield low production, enhancing concentration and territorial identity. The winery’s philosophy is deeply artisanal: no compromises, utmost respect for the raw material, and a strong focus on the bond between vine and the Karst terroir.

The grapes are vinified in a striking cellar carved into limestone rock. Fermentation occurs spontaneously in open wooden vats thanks to indigenous yeasts, accompanied by a skin maceration lasting about 10 to 30 days, which gives structure, complexity, and aromatic depth. After racking, the wine continues its evolution by aging on fine lees in wooden barrels for a period ranging from 6 to 12 months, without fining or filtration and with minimal or no added sulfites. The result is an authentic orange wine, a pure expression of the Karst.

Organoleptic analysis

Visual exam

A beautiful golden yellow with coppery reflections, luminous and textural.

Olfactory examination

On the nose it is intense and layered, with notes of apricot, loquat, and candied citrus, accompanied by floral and balsamic nuances and hints of Mediterranean scrub.

Tasting

Full and enveloping on the palate, with pronounced iodine-like savoriness, vibrant freshness, and long persistence, balanced between substance, energy, and mineral tension.

Contents index

From the vineyard to the table: discover our wine

Ready for a journey to discover Malvazija | Skerk ? We will now take you to delve deeper into every aspect of this exceptional wine through three key sections:

Cellar

Come and learn about the history and values ​​of the winery which passionately grows and transforms grapes into wine

Territory

Immerse yourself in the land that gives life to these unique grapes, discovering the climate and terroir that influence its character

Pairings

Get expert advice on the perfect pairings that will enhance both the wine and your meal

The winery

Country: Italy, Prepotto (Trieste)

Region: Friuli Venezia Giulia

Hectares of vineyards: 8

Skerk

In the heart of the Trieste Karst, in Prepotto on the Karst Plateau, the Skerk winery stands out for its minimalist and natural approach, guided by the vision of Sandi Skerk. Founded in 1987, this winemaking entity is based on 8 hectares of vineyards cultivated according to organic farming principles, in a unique terroir shaped by limestone rock and a climate influenced by the winds from the Adriatic Sea.

Sandi's philosophy is rooted in respectful viticulture and essential enology. The grapes—Vitovska, Malvasia Istriana, and Terrano, the historic varieties of the Karst—are processed through spontaneous fermentation and aged in oak barrels without filtration, enhancing the purity and identity of the land. The winery itself, a cave carved into the Karst rock, reflects a deep connection to the surrounding environment, serving as a natural vault for wines that defy time.

Skerk

Among Skerk's iconic productions stands the Vitovska, a variety rediscovered and vinified in purity, and the orange wine Ograde, made from a blend of native grapes. Its orange wines, renowned for their complexity and elegance, represent a perfect synthesis of tradition and innovation, embodying the mineral and austere character of the Karst.

Each bottle is a tribute to the power of nature and craftsmanship, an experience that captures the soul of this extreme land, where the roots sink into the stone, and the wine tells stories of authenticity and passion.

Region and territory

An explosion of aromas and flavors that celebrate the unique territory of the region in the glass.

Friuli Venezia Giulia

An explosion of aromas and flavors that celebrate the unique territory of the region in the glass.

Friuli Venezia Giulia

An explosion of aromas and flavors that celebrate the unique territory of the region in the glass.

Friuli Venezia Giulia

Friuli-Venezia Giulia has always been the land of great whites and has achieved extraordinary fame for what some call the "superwhites."

Recently, Friuli Venezia Giulia was the battleground for a community-level dispute with Hungary regarding the right to continue calling the wine produced with the Tocai Friulano grape "Tocai," causing confusion with the well-known Hungarian sweet wine Tokaji. Italy lost the case in 2007, and since 2011 wines produced with Tocai Friulano are respectively called "Friulano" in Friuli Venezia Giulia and "Tai" in Veneto.

The region is divided into a mountainous area to the north, hilly terrain in the pre-Alpine arc, an alluvial plain, and a coastal area.
The northern part of the plain is suitable for the cultivation of white grape varieties, while the southern part is more favorable for black grape varieties.
To the east, in the area bordering Slovenia, the plain extends to the foothills of the Karst: here viticulture is challenging due to the limestone rocks eroded by water, and often it is only possible on terraces supported by retaining walls made of sandstone blocks called "pastini."

Carso

The Carso is a strip of land between Slovenia and Italy: an area characterized by karst formations and caves, with rocky surfaces and significant depressions that constitute a major challenge for agriculture and immediately drain all rainfall.

This type of terroir gives wines compact and deep colors, intense and varied aromas, mineral sensations, good structure, and wines that are notably long-lasting. Finally, the Carso is also famous for its sparkling wines. The varieties grown here are mainly Malvasia, Vitovska, Terrano, and Refosco.

Local viticulture boasts a great tradition in the production of sparkling wines: Prosecco, a village in the province of Trieste that gives its name to the well-known wine, or Prosekar in the Slovenian version, initially was a sweet wine, then it became the sparkling wine that we know from the 19th century onwards. Over time, local production declined and only recently efforts have been made to recover it.
The Carso is an environment that challenges agriculture, but it gives wines deep colors, intense aromas, mineral sensations, and a decisive structure.

Recommended pairings and dishes

Matching by concordance

The aromatic intensity, Mediterranean notes, and saline character pair perfectly with dishes that echo the same flavor profiles, such as seafood recipes, flavorful risottos, and mature, rich cheeses.

Matching by contrast

The wine’s tannic structure and savoriness find balance—by contrast—in rich, oily dishes such as elaborate seafood preparations or white meats, where the freshness and mineral character lighten the palate and enhance the overall complexity of flavors.

It pairs well with

Seafood appetizers; Seafood dishes, including structured ones; White meats; Risottos; Aged cheeses.

Matching by concordance

The aromatic intensity, Mediterranean notes, and saline character pair perfectly with dishes that echo the same flavor profiles, such as seafood recipes, flavorful risottos, and mature, rich cheeses.

Matching by contrast

The wine’s tannic structure and savoriness find balance—by contrast—in rich, oily dishes such as elaborate seafood preparations or white meats, where the freshness and mineral character lighten the palate and enhance the overall complexity of flavors.

It pairs well with

Seafood appetizers; Seafood dishes, including structured ones; White meats; Risottos; Aged cheeses.

Perch

A delicious freshwater fish that can be prepared baked in the oven, even with capers and cherry tomatoes or other vegetables, breaded and fried, or grilled. A delicate and versatile ingredient, light and very enjoyable.

Seafood Risotto

Mussels, clams, squid, shrimp... A classic dish, perfect for special occasions and all seasons, relatively easy to prepare, delicate, of medium structure, and very elegant.

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