Barking at the moon: Movia - Lunar 2008

Aleš Kristančič is a man whose reputation precedes him. I caught with him at a masterclass in Amsterdam.

Aleš Kristančič is a man whose reputation precedes him. Movia, the family's estate in Western Slovenia since 1820, has become one of the most well-known producers from the region, and also a trailblazer for the skin contact style.

The 22 hectare estate is split across the Slovenian/Italian border, one of many after-effects from two world wars, although the wine is bottled as Slovenian. Farming is uncertified organic.

I'd encountered Movia's wines on many occasions over the years, but only belatedly caught up with the man himself at a masterclass in Amsterdam last week. Kristančič is a big character, a showman you might say, so he'd brought his wife and daughter along for added emphasis. De rigeur for any Movia event is the degorging of the "Puro" sparkling Rebula "en place", with other wines ritually decanted into flashy Riedel decanters.