If you know, you know.
Introducing some of the premium fine wines created by the Istenič family and now imported to the UK. These luxurious, critically acclaimed sparkling wines offer jaw-dropping value for money.
This is our secret.
Every day class
No. 1 Special Cuvée
The flagship sparkling wine from Istenič, taking its name from Janez Istenič’s football jersey when he was a goalkeeper for the national team. This is a blend of Chardonnay, Rumeni Plavac and Pinot Noir, patiently aged on its less for 3 years.
“Elegant bubbles, silvery colour and floral nose. Pink grapefruit, bitter orange and pomelo. Nectarine. The dosage is just right – enough to balance the high acidity of the Rumeni Plavec and make the wine approachable as an aperitif, not so high that it’s sweet. Neat and well-composed.” — Tamlyn Currin, JancisRobinson.com
Perfectly pairs with fried fish, pasta dishes or fresh strawberries.
Download technical sheet | RRP £25.00
Innovation & depth
Cuvée Natura
Based on the 2020 vintage but already complex with maturity, this is a zero dosage, zero added sulphites, unfiltered masterpiece. A blend of Chardonnay and Rumeni Plavac, which has developed beautifully under cork.
“Golden colour, tiny bubbles. Laser-like focus from the piercingly high acidity gives this wine precise, uncompromising structure. Pickled lemon, lemon sherbet, grapefruit and a lode vein of minerality. An unusual, complex sparkling wine that was better with food than without – actually extremely good with rare beef sirloin. It evolved beautifully in the glass and over a few days of being open. No rush to drink this.” — Tamlyn Currin, JancisRobinson.com
Critics’ Choice, Sommelier Wine Awards | Gold, Decanter
Perfectly pairs with delicately pan-roasted skin-on chicken breast and truffle mash, or extra mature, crumbly farmer’s cheddar.
Download technical sheet | RRP £45.00
Vintage, Rare
This is a true celebration of Slovenia’s golden grape, Rumeni Plavac. It is blended with a touch of Chardonnay. After an initial ferment, a sweet must is added to kick-start a second fermentation and natural malo, before a final 4th sparkling fermentation. This is a bold, truly Slovenian take on traditional method fizz. Bottled Brut Nature. Available in very limited quantities.
“Rich, powerful, broad and smoky. Some buttery-croissant and baked-pear curves but the Rumeni Plavec is what provides the structural thunder here. You really don’t want to drink this without food.” — Tamlyn Currin, JancisRobinson.com
Perfectly pairs with Jamón Ibérico, or baked Camembert.
Download technical sheet | RRP £45.00
Pure & elegant
Vintage, Prestige Extra Brut
A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir taking a cuvée of the finest base wines and made only in the best years. This is a truly elevant sparkling to savour.
“Mouth-watering braised-fennel aromas. And then the full spectrum of sweet anise flavours in the mouth, from baby green fennel fronds to caraway seeds, from buttery roast-parsnip succulence to golden beets in tarragon dressing, from yellow-lentil earthiness to ginger-root bite. It’s complex, fulsome, stratified and bold. It was brilliant with an oozing-off-the-board, very smelly and very ripe Baron Bigod cheese. You could pair this with other ripe, strong cheeses, or anything earthy and fragrant (celeriac remoulade, chana dahl, new potatoes tossed in butter with new spring chives from the garden).” — Tamlyn Currin, JancisRobinson.com
17.5pts, Best Rated Slovenian Sparkling Wine on JancisRobinson.com
Perfectly pairs with caviar or asparagus risotto.
Download technical sheet | RRP £35.00
Vintage, Gourmet Rosé
A pale pink vintage sparkling rosé wine based exclusively on the Pinot Noir variety. Patiently matured for over four years on lees with further development under cork. Poised and fabulously balanced, this is a truly gastronomic treat with the right food.
“A very pale rosé with the tiniest of bubbles and the texture of cashmere. Elegant, creamy, beautifully woven. Rose hips and cream and nigella seeds. Fantastic length. Good Value.” — Tamlyn Currin, JancisRobinson.com
Silver, Decanter
Perfectly pairs with grilled lobster or finger licking spicy-sweet dishes like Indo-Chinese spiced and caramelised pork.
Download technical sheet | RRP £30.00