Matosevic Alba Antiqua Malvazija Istarska 2019

Matosevic Alba Antiqua Malvazija Istarska 

Region: Istria, Croatia

Vintage: 2019

Bottle size: 75cl

Grape: Malvasia Istriana

ABV: 13%

Straw yellow in colour, this wine has aromas of apricot with spicy and floral notes. The palate is rich with flavours of acacia flowers and honey that are complemented by a clean minerality and lively acidity.

The vineyards are located in the Istria wine region at 250-300 metres above sea level on limestone, marlstone and sandstone soils. The area is characterised by a Mediterranean climate, with mild and rainy winters followed by dry, hot summers. The vines are between 15 to 30 years of age and harvesting is done by hand. Minimal pesticides and no herbicides are used and organic practices are followed in the vineyards.

Described by the late Steven Spurrier as "Croatia’s best winemaker", Ivica Matošević has established himself as a force of nature in the country’s turbulent yet burgeoning wine industry. His incredible family history simply explains the last 100 years: “My grandfather was born in Austria, my father was born in Italy, I was born in Yugoslavia and my daughter was born in Croatia. We were all born in the same house”. Spirited by the emergence of the Istrian wine scene that followed the fall of Yugoslavia in the early ‘90s and driven by an unbridled passion, Ivica Matošević diverted his career from a PhD in agriculture to winemaking. This passion is reflected both in his wines, which are exuberant, fresh and true to their nature, and in what he has achieved for the reputation of Croatian wine.