The New Old World November / December 2022
DISCOVER CORONICA
This month we invite you to discover the wines of Moreno Coronica.
Moreno's wines have long been a staple in our portfolio - favourites with our followers and growing in esteem with sommeliers across Ontario.
We hope you enjoy this month's selection of wines.
In our opinion, they form an impressive introduction to Istria.
We invite you to be the judge... and look forward to your thoughts and perspectives.
THE WINEMAKER
Moreno Coronica is one of the most respected winemakers in Istria, if not all of Croatia. He is recognized as a pioneer in the evolution of Teran - Istria's flagship red - transforming its reputation from what was once a working man's table wine, into a wine of nobility and elegance.
Somewhat of a rebel in his youth, after being coaxed into the family's multi-generational wine business, he has never looked back, running the winery to this day with his wife Suzana. Passionate and opinionated, Moreno is a brutally honest realist with a great sense of humour. We are thankful to call him our friend, and even more thankful to enjoy the fruits of his labour.
THE WINERY
Coronica Winery is located in north-west Croatia, in the heart shaped peninsula of Istria. This region has the gift of a warm Mediterranean climate, strongly influenced by the cool air descending from the Alps, and the proximity of the Adriatic Sea.
The coastal area of Istria is famous for its Terra Rossa - an iron-rich red soil characterized by white calcareous stone. Moreno's vineyards thrive in this soil, in a landscape of dense forests of ancient oak trees and rich fauna.
The impact of these influences is felt directly in the wine - am impact that eloquently described in the words of Italian oenologist, Aldo Venco:
THE WINES
This month's selection is comprised of a festive methode classique sparkling for the upcoming holiday season, a classic fresh, mineral-rich Malvazija, and the renowned, elegant Gran Teran - one of the pinnacles of Teran and sure to tempt Barolo lovers.
"Characteristic fruity wines with exceptional structural balance are the expression of this terroir, just like the people who farm this land. Humble, but determined, people ahead of their time, people who know how to listen to the elderly, who have realised that to rule nature is to serve it..."
CO DUE EXTRA BRUT
A fine example of sparkling wine made in the Methode Classique.
During secondary fermentation, it spends 36 months on the lees in the bottle.
MALVAZIJA ISTARSKA
100% Malvazija Istarska (or Malvasia Istriana). Istria's flagship white.
Very versatile - can be enjoyed sparkling, as a fresh white, oak aged, or macerated.
TASTING NOTES
Light straw yellow in colour with a long-lasting, fine bubbles perlage.
On the nose, the aromas are fresh and clean with citrus, stone fruit and sage notes.
On the palate it has good body with strong saline notes.
Expect a pleasant explosion of bubbles that creates a feeling of softness in the mouth.
SERVING RECOMMENDATIONS
Chill well, to 8 - 12°C.
PAIRING RECOMMENDATIONS
It is best served as an aperitif, with light appetizers, fish carpaccio or fresh seafood.
CORONICA MALVAZIJA
JOS'S TAKE
Minerality, salinity and freshness all come together in a great quality wine and at a very reasonable price. A perfect match for natural seafood dishes. My staple at John and Sons Oyster House in Toronto - see you at the corner of the bar with a bottle soon.
coronica malvazija
A fresh, mineral-rich, benchmark example of Malvazija, Istria's most widely grown grape.
Vines grow in Istria's terra rossa - iron-rich red soil - unusual for production of whites, resulting in a more mineral forward version of the wine.
MALVAZIJA ISTARSKA
100% Malvazija Istarska (or Malvasia Istriana).
Enjoy a second take on Istria's versatile, flagship white, with this fresh and fruity wine, which forms a beautiful comparative and complement to the crisp sparkling wine, also part of this months selection.
TASTING NOTES
"Clean, fresh, fleshy, very fruity, with a touch of residual carbon dioxide to add freshness, this is really well made and compelling malvazija (malvasía) from the Istrian Peninsula, one of the epicenters of production for the variety. This has class and limestony-salinity, driving additional sips. Great length, too." John Szabo, MS - 91 pts.
SERVING RECOMMENDATIONS
Chill well, to 8 - 12°C, depending on the type of food with which it is paired.
PAIRING RECOMMENDATIONS
An ideal partner for fish and seafood dishes (including oysters), but served at slightly higher temperatures, it pairs well with white meat and white truffle dishes.
CORONICA GRAN TERAN
JOS'S TAKE
Moreno has frequently challenged me to blind taste his Gran Teran alongside some of Piedmont's best Barolos. I am yet to do this, but the mixed berries on the palate combined with earthiness, salinity and elegance, make this an exceptional wine and a worthy adversary.
coronica GRAN TERAN
Consistently regarded as one of Istria's very best examples of Teran.
Produced from older, lower yielding vines. Expect a wine that is deep ruby-purple in colour, aromatic, earthy and well balanced, with well integrated oak influence and excellent length.
TERAN
100% Teran
Istria's flagship red.
Challenging to tame due to the grape's high acidity.
In the right hands this grape produces earthy and elegant, north Italian style wines, with good ageing potential.
TASTING NOTES
"According to Moreno Coronica, owner and winemaker of the namesake winery, teran is a "terrible" grape to grow and site specific to reach its full potential. You would never know this by the beautiful wine in the bottle. Deeply flavourful with dark and red berries, saline and floral notes, the wine is dry but juicy with a fine seam of acidity. The tannins are also ripe and fine grained and the high-ish alcohol of 14% is barely noticeable. It is still quite youthful and if my tasting the 2001 vintage in 2020 is any indication, I am certain that this wine can be kept and enjoyed for many more years to come and will only improve with age. A superb wine."
Janet Dorozynski, DipWSET. PhD (94 pts)
Only produced in the very best years.
The 2015 Vintage enjoyed Gold Medal Recognition at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
WineAlign - 93 pts (average across five expert reviews)
SERVING RECOMMENDATIONS
16 - 18 ° C. Decant half an hour + before consumption.
PAIRING RECOMMENDATIONS
Ideal partner for venison and game meats.