CARSO WINES

The Karst is a land between rock and water, mirrored in the Adriatic Sea keeping the Alps behind it, where rivers and streams appear and disappear, shaping, carving and building visible or underground forms.

The Karst covers northeastern Italy, where elevations range from sea level to just over 650 meters. The landscape is limestone, with a rocky soil and little fertility. This land, with its karst formations, caves and resurgence phenomena, creates an ideal microclimate for viticulture. The inhomogeneous surface, the many natural caves that help drain rainwater, and the thin layer of red clay, rich in iron and minerals, create a surface inhospitable to most cultures, but ideal for wine grapes. In addition, the Adriatic Sea breeze makes an essential contribution to grape ripening. Over the years, to cultivate the land, winemakers have created the characteristic “pastini,” terraces, contained by dry-stone walls, using stones removed from the land.

Through generations, Karst winemakers have maintained their traditions despite the historical challenges and the region’s rugged terrain, ensuring the continuation of unique techniques and the cultivation of mainly native grape varieties.

There are three iconic Karst wines, two red and two white, for all tastes:

The Malvasia istriana, also cultivated in other parts of Italy and Croatia, gives aromatic, full-bodied, round, soft white wines with an intense bouquet, often marked by intense fruity notes.

The autochthonous Vitovska, which gives wines of good structure, sapid, fresh, characterized by hints of fresh grass, hay, sage, Williams pear as well as pleasant citrine notes.

The Refosco, which usually presents itself as a wine of a deep ruby red color with purplish highlights. The nose reveals itself with aromas of red fruits and spices. It is pleasant in the mouth, with an acidic streak and limited tannic content.

The flagship Karts wine Terrano, produced from the green stalk refosco grape, which can be distinguished by its vibrant acidity, raspberry and blackberry aromas and typical ruby red color with violet hues.

The most authentic place to taste Karst wines are the characteristic osmize, which were created under Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, who had allowed farmers in the province of Trieste to directly sell their products. Osmize offer only ready-made cold products, which do not require the presence of a kitchen, a classic being, for example, cold cuts that go well with both white and red wines. Not to be missed!