Skerk - Ograde 2019 (750ml)
Price: $68.99
| Producer | Skerk |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Friuli-Venezia Giulia |
| Varietal | Vitovska, Malvasia, Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Sku | 62862 |
| Size | 750ml |
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Skerk Description
Sandi Skerk's property is only 500m from the border of Slovenia in the Carso appellation of Friuli in the far North Eastern corner of Italy.
His entire process is natural, not because it is the trendy thing to do, but because it does not make sense to Sandi to make wine any other way. When asked about the style of winemaking that seems to be the trend in the Carso DOC, ie. long skin contact for the whites, Sandi talks about the great respect he has for his grandfather, who also made wine on the family's property, and about wanting to follow his technique. Making wine before it was common to use SO2 as a preservative, Sandi's grandfather used the technique of extended skin contact for his white wines. The tannins in the skins protect the wines from oxidation, allowing Sandi to use very little SO2 in his winemaking. Making wine naturally requires great care in the vineyards and the winery and if there is one thing I have learned about 'natural' wine after attending the two 'natural' wine fairs every year in Italy in March, it is that there is a big difference between 'natural wine' made by great winemakers and 'natural wine' made by any Joe Smoe hoping to jump on the 'natural wine' band wagon. Sandi is one of the great winemakers making natural wine well; his wines show impressive clarity, balance, and depth on the palate.
Ograda is the term the farmers in the Karst used to indicate a small parcel, located near the village and the houses which were often fenced with typical limestone dry stone walls to prevent entry of domestic animals such as cows, sheep , goats or anything else that could cause damage to crops such as vines planted inside. Ograda is also the name of the wine cellar of Skerk where once was a vineyard of Vitovska. The idea is to bring together the best grapes from small parcels "Ograde" cultivated mainly to native varieties like Vitovska, Malvasia and Sauvignon, but also others.
Vinous: 92 Points
The 2019 Ograde displays a pale pink color with orange hues, as a beguiling blend of sour melon, peach, ginger spice and wet slate form its bouquet. Its silky textures are quickly accelerated by nervous acidity, as exotic inner florals combine with sour citrus and nectarine to create a stimulating sensation on the palate. This tapers off long with notes of sweet herbal tea and orange oils, while leaving the palate squeaky clean. The Ograde is a blend of Vitovska, Malvasia, Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio from small plots throughout Skerk's vineyards. While this is undeniably a skin-contact style, having gone through 10 days of maceration, the energy contained within makes the 2019 a total pleasure to taste. Also of note is how the Ograde morphs once opened and is worth experimenting with both chilled and at cellar temperature.
