Pivnica Čajkov 'Princess' Skin Contact 2023 | Nitra, Slovakia

A brightly aromatic, fruity and spiced "breakfast style" skin contact from Slovakia's Štiavnica Mountains.

Producer: Pivnica Čajkov - Marek Uhnak

Region: The village of Čajkov, in Levice, Nitra, Slovakia

Grapes: Pesecká Leánka (Fetească Regală)

Aromatic on the nose, with notes of rose water, dried apricot and nectarine, basket fruits, a touch of spice, and nuttiness. Fruit flavours of freshly cut pear, apricot, and grapefruit, Chantilly cream, almond, and fruit spice.

Bright and vibrant on the palate, light bodied but with a satisfyingly pleasant structure, vivid acid core supported by grippy tannin, and an enjoyably fleshy texture.

Serve: Delicious on its own or paired with grilled fish, poultry, or light veggie dishes.

NERD NOTES

Organic farmed grapes the family's Stará Hora vineyard in Čajkov, with a South facing aspect at 200m altitude on red rhyolite (crystallised magma), tuff, and erosion-born topsoil.

Hand harvested in two picks: the first in late August for freshness; and the second in early September for roundness and balance.

The two picks started separately, with the grapes being gently destemmed, crushed, and macerated on skins overnight. The free-run juice was moved to stainless steel tanks (without pressing) and spontaneously fermented with indigenous yeasts.

The wines were blended just prior to the end of fermentation and aged on fine lees in tank until the end of February, 2024, with no racking, batonnage, or other manipulation to preserve freshness.

Bottled unfined, unfiltered, and with minimal added sulphur.