1. Aging

The aging of wine has a special meaning in our consciousness: we associate it with romance, special anniversaries, connoisseurship, prestige. But there is only one percent of wines in the world that are intended to age, which means that they gain quality during the years of rest in a cool and dark environment. All other wines go on sale when they are just right for consumption. We can find different data on how long a bottle can be stored, ranging from one to five years. It is worth remembering that young wines should be drunk as soon as possible, and white wines are also mostly unsuitable for longer storage. We often hear the unwritten rule that the cheaper the bottle, the faster it can be drunk. You will drink wines from shopping centers as soon as possible, but for storing more expensive, better and more complex ones, just consult the seller or cellar master.

2. Temperature and humidity

The ideal temperature for storing wine is between a constant 12 and 13 degrees Celsius, so the kitchen is the place with the worst conditions. The room must have a lot of humidity, as much as 75 percent is recommended. This prevents the cork stoppers from drying out, which would cause oxygen to penetrate the bottle and change the wine. This is also the reason why the bottle should always be stored horizontally, as the wine touches the cork and, so to speak, helps it not to dry out. Unfortunately, not everyone has a place where they can provide that much humidity, and such conditions are also necessary for professional storage and serious aging of wine. Don’t worry: if you make sure that the bottles rest and wait to be drunk, lying down, they will most likely maintain their quality. You can also help yourself with a pot of water placed in the room. But if you’re one of those people who opens a bottle in a short time, there’s nothing wrong with placing it upright.

3. Light

Light can completely change the quality and structure of wine, so always store it in a dark place. In extreme cases, strong exposure to light can cause chemical reactions in wine, making it completely spoiled, smelly, and attract insects.

4. Vibrations

We store the bottle so that it doesn’t move, but rather sits motionless and waits for us to mature in peace. But you probably don’t pick up bottles every day and play bowling with them anyway, so such concern is unnecessary in most cases.

5. Storing Opened Wine

Opened wines are stored in the refrigerator, while red wines can be stored on the counter, but in both cases they must be tightly sealed. Use the original cork stopper with the same side as the bottle was closed, as the opposite, dry side can be full of dirt. However, this is not the best way, as the air in the bottle that we will re-close will still remain and contribute to oxidation. Alternatively, we can buy vacuum pumps or special stoppers on the market that squeeze out the air and keep the wine fresh for a day longer, or gas wine preservers, which are probably unnecessary for moderate home use.

KRASNO WHITE BLEND

Krasno white blend is a popular variety of Ribolla, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, three varieties that thrive in the Brda region. The Krasno wine line was designed to accompany modern cuisine and is best suited to this role. It is distinguished by its rich structure and fresh aromatic profile, which is why it covers a wide range of cuisines, and it is best paired with vegetable risottos, a variety of fish dishes, fish carpaccio and spicy white meat. A wine that will make you want another glass and can simply be described as “krasno” (wonderfull).

PINOT GRIGIO RAMATO BAGUERI

Pinot Grigio is an international variety that is becoming increasingly popular both abroad and in Slovenia. Pinot Grigio Ramato from the Bagueri line is a novelty that, due to its unique color and harmonious taste, was a great success among Bagueri superior wine lovers in 2022. It is a wine for wine lovers who expect more from their Pinot Grigio. It is a wine with a two-day maceration, which gives it a special copper color, from which the name “ramato” (Italian: Rame = copper) also comes from. The more specific structure also allows this wine to be paired with a wide range of dishes, from prosciutto, seafood dishes, white meat, and even Asian dishes. A wine that you will definitely remember.

KRASNO ORANGE

In recent years, orange wines have become increasingly popular and sought after. For those who are just entering and getting to know the world of orange wines, Krasno orange is the ideal entry point. The wine is a blend of three typical Brda varieties – Rebula, Malvasia and Sauvignon Blanc. We macerated it for one year, which gives it the indispensable character of orange wines, and at the same time, despite its complex aromatics, it is still pleasantly fresh and harmonious, but richer compared to our white wines. We recommend it with food with a stronger flavor, such as spicy chicken or spicy grilled vegetables, and it also goes well with popular Asian cuisine. The best choice for anyone who wants something truly special.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON BAGUERI SUPERIOR – CHAMPION 

Cabernet Sauvignon has been one of the most popular red varieties in Slovenia for many years. Anyone who has tried our Cabernet Sauvignon Quercus, which is considered one of the most popular bottles in Slovenia, certainly has positive memories of it. Cabernet Sauvignon Bagueri Superior is its upgrade in the truest sense of the word. It has a strong and rich taste, which is the result of maturing this wine in oak barrels and barriques. It goes well with a wide variety of meat dishes and venison, steaks and Florentine steaks will be simply divine in the company of this strong wine. An excellent choice for all lovers of red wines.

SPARKLING MOSCATO SELECTION

Sparkling Moscato is one of our most popular sparkling wines. With its pleasant sweetness and aroma, it captivates everyone who is just entering the world of wine and is looking for something light, fruity and a little sweeter. It is especially popular with women, but it also has many fans among men. The secret lies in the right balance between sweetness and freshness of the intense taste at a lower alcohol content. We achieved this with a special production technique that preserves the original aroma of yellow Moscato. The delicate and lively bubbles are so pleasant in the mouth that we hardly get tired of them. A very pleasant sparkling wine to be enjoyed for two, even without culinary accompaniment, but otherwise it goes well with creamy desserts such as panna cotta and pancakes with strawberries and cream.

WINE

Rebula is a mineral wine with a pronounced varietal character. When we smell it, we detect fresh fruit aromas that evoke citrus, apple, lime and cedar. With maturation in barrels, it acquires more complex aromas and additional fullness of taste. It is an excellent base for sparkling wines, and it also works well as a still wine in a wide variety of interpretations by oenologists.

An ideal base for sparkling wines. We have been producing sparkling Rebula at Klet Brda since 1962.

The oldest wine in the cellar is a Rebula from 1957.

A NEW SPARKLING WINE IN THE LINE OF FRESH CHARMAT SPARKLING WINES FROM KLET BRDA

The charmat sparkling wine line of Klet Brda consists of sparkling Rebula, sparkling Rose and sparkling Muscat: this year we added the sparkling Ice edition.

Sparkling Ice edition is a semi-dry sparkling wine, with a rich, fruity blend of citrus and white fruit and a pleasant sweet finish. It is produced by the charmat method from rebula and chardonnay, which gives it a characteristic light yellow color with green reflections and sparkling perlage.

1. Aging

We subconsciously place significant meaning to aging of wine: we associate it with the romance of special anniversaries, knowledge, and prestige. However, only one percent of the wines in the world are supposed to be aged and actually improve in quality when stored in a cool and dark place for several years. The rest of them are placed on the shelves in the stores when they are perfect to consume. There is different data on how long we can store a bottle of wine, ranging from one to five years. Young wines should be stored for the least amount of time and white wines are usually not suitable for long storage either. The often-heard unwritten rule is that the cheaper the bottle, the quicker you need to drink it. Do not wait too long to drink the wines you buy at a supermarket and consult the seller or cellarman about storing the more expensive, higher-quality, and more complex wines.

2. Temperature and humidity

The ideal temperature for storing wine is 12 or 13 degrees Celsius, which makes your kitchen a bad place for storing it. Wine should be stored in a humid place, preferably at 75% humidity. This prevents the corks from drying out, which would allow oxygen to get into the bottle and affect the wine. This is also why wine should always be stored horizontally, so that the wine is in contact with the cork and keeps it damp. Unfortunately, not everyone has the capacity of storing their wine in such a humid place, and these conditions are essential for professional storage and aging of wine. But do not worry: if you make sure that your bottles are stored in a horizontal position, the wine will most likely retain its quality. You can also fill a cup with water and leave it in the room where you store the wine. If you are going to open the bottle soon, you can leave it in a vertical position.

3. Light

Light can completely change the quality and structure of wine, so you should always store your bottles in a dark place. In extreme cases, strong light can trigger chemical reactions that make the wine go bad, give it an unpleasant smell, and cause it to attract insects.

4. Vibrations

When storing your bottles, you should make sure that they are not moving, so that they can age uninterrupted. But in most cases, you should not worry too much about that, as you are not likely to take out your bottles every day and play bowling with them, are you?

5. Storing opened bottles of wine

You should store opened bottles of white wine in a refrigerator, while red wines can also be kept on the counter. In both cases, you need to make sure that the bottles are sealed well. Use the original cork and insert it in the bottle in the same direction you took it out to prevent any dirt on the dry side of the cork from getting in the bottle. But even that does not guarantee optimal storing, because the air in the bottle will still contribute to oxidation. On the market, you can find vacuum pumps or special stoppers, which squeeze out the air and keep your wine fresh for a day longer, or gas tools for prolonging the freshness of wines. However, these tend to be unnecessary for moderate domestic use.

When we want to celebrate something, it’s almost impossible to do so without sparkling wine.

Sparkling wines accompany all the most important moments in our lives, whether it’s a birth, graduation, wedding, and they also mark significant milestones, ushering us into a new year, new job, or a new decade of life.

November and December traditionally stand as months of joy and gathering, where we take the time for those who mean a lot to us – relatives, friends, colleagues. In November, we celebrate St. Martin’s Day with them, where young wine usually takes the main stage, but a true sparkling wine adds a special touch to any such gathering. Even more frequently, we gather with sparkling wines in the cheerful December, where we bid farewell to the old year and look forward to the coming one.

Would you like to choose the right sparkling wine, serve it with style, and make an impression? We offer some advice so you can shine with bubbles.

Charmat or classic sparkling wine?

The answer to this question depends on your budget, taste, and the profile of your guests or recipients. Classic sparkling wines are generally more expensive, as they take at least two years to produce, and for most sparkling wines, even more. The second fermentation takes place in the bottle, where the sparkling wine is in contact with the sediment throughout. These sparkling wines have a more complex aroma, fine bubbles – they are suitable for more discerning connoisseurs.

In Klet Brda, they produce Bagueri sparkling wines using the classic method. Bagueri Brut, Zero, and Rosé enchant with small and lively bubbles that create a creamy sensation on the palate. These sparkling wines are refined, noble, and elegant. They are marked by a noble and distinctive character, characteristic of all wines in the Bagueri line. They will captivate both connoisseurs and enthusiasts. They are intended for special moments and also pair excellently with gourmet dishes such as beef carpaccio, fresh fish, sushi, and salmon dishes.

With the Charmat method or tank method, the production process is shorter. The sparkling wine is ready in a few months in stainless steel tanks. Consequently, it is more affordable, and in taste, it is fresher, more playful, usually with more pronounced fruity notes and more easily understandable to a wider audience.

Popular sparkling wines produced by Klet Brda using the tank method have just received an even more beautiful and attractive appearance. They will delight you and your friends with a fresh and fruity, just sweet enough taste, while also being pocket-friendly due to their accessibility. The selected grapes from the favorable slopes of Brda’s hills give these sparkling wines a special, refreshing taste. Peneča rebula, which has been produced at Klet Brda since 1962, has become a true icon among dry sparkling wines. For fans of semi-dry and dry sparkling wines, they have prepared Sparkling Rosé and Sparkling Moscato, which with their charming fruity bouquet leave no one indifferent.

How to serve and taste sparkling wine?

Serve sparkling wine chilled, at around 6 degrees Celsius. This way, its positive qualities will come to the fore. Allow at least a few hours for chilling in the refrigerator – never in the freezer, as wine is very sensitive to temperature fluctuations.

The glass should be designed to observe the effervescence – the sparkling. The best are tulip-shaped glasses or glasses specifically designed for serving sparkling wines. They must have a rough bottom that promotes the release of bubbles. The better the sparkling wine, the finer the bubbles, and the longer the effervescence lasts.

Always serve sparkling wine as an aperitif, as it prepares the palate for tasting more intense flavors of food. You can serve sparkling wine on its own or with snacks. Never serve sparkling wine with dessert, unless it is sweet sparkling wine. In this case, the wine should always be sweeter than the dessert.

If we still haven’t answered your questions and resolved your dilemmas, we invite you to the Klet Brda wine shops in Ljubljana, Celje, Kranj, Nova Gorica, and Dobrovo, where you can find the entire range of wines and friendly advisors who will know how to recommend the right wine or sparkling wine for you.  Let us help you fill your moments with friendship and joy!

Aperitif

We always recommend serving sparkling wine as aperitif. If you are looking for something fresh and affordable, you cannot go wrong with Sparkling Rebula, which we also sell in impressive 3, 6 or even 9 litre bottles. If, however, you want nothing but the best for you special day, we recommend choosing one of our Bagueri sparkling wines.

Main courses

White meat is nicely complemented by white, fresh, fruity, and mineral wines from our Quercus line (Rebula, Chardonnay, Pinot grigio, and Pinot bianco), while red meat goes perfectly with our red Quercus wines (Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon, and Pinot noir). More complex dishes call for more mature wines, aged in wood, such as our white or red wines Bagueri Superior.

Vegetarian dishes

With vegetarian dishes, we recommend serving Krasno White, a blend of Rebula, Sauvignonass, and Chardonnay.

Fish main courses

Fish goes perfectly with Rebula, Quercus Pinot bianco and Chardonnay, or Krasno White blend.