Branko are located in the heart of Collio, Igor runs his small winery single handed with extreme care and passion, and the vineyards are kept as gardens. He dedicated his cellar to his father to symbolise the family tradition going back centuries.
Collio is Italy’s premier white wine area, Branko is one of the rising stars of the region and Pinot Grigio is a favourite grape variety. Collio, abutting the border with Slovenia, is regarded as one of Italy’s best white wine regions. It has a complex history, primarily as it was part of the Austrio Hungarian Empire until 1918 and its traditions stem from that connection. This explains the long tradition of French varietals in the region. The Germanic influence was also pertinent when it came to winemaking in terms of cold fermentation and non-oak ageing. White wine represents about 85% of production. The Branko winery and vineyards are next to the border and there are plenty of connections hence the very Slovenic name of the owner and winemaker Igor Erzetic.
Pinot Grigio has now become one of Italy’s most important wines in this market. Its original Italian home was in the northeast, as it came here from Austria. The Branko Pinot Grigio was recognised by 2010 edition of Gambero Rosso as being the best Pinot Grigio in Italy.
Vinification: Must is kept for 24 hours at 70C to precipitate the tartrates and then fermented at 15-180C. If malolactic fermentation starts naturally it is allowed to complete it is not induced. 10% if fermented in oak casks.
Ageing: 10% of the wine is fermented and aged in Frenck oak casks of 400hl for 4 months and then blended with the rest kept in stainless steel vats.
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