Slovenska Istra is the westernmost viticultural area of Slovenia, and the southernmost portion of the Primorski wine region. Its name means 'Slovenian Istria', Istria being the peninsula which juts out into the Adriatic Sea between Trieste and Rijeka, the southern majority of which is in Croatia. Koper is the main town here.
Slovenska Istra is the only section of coastline to which Slovenia can lay claim. The name of its parent region, Primorski, is derived from the Slovene words meaning 'next to the sea', which seems less apt since much of Slovenia's coastline here was annexed by Italy in the 1920s. Slovenska Istra is the only fragment retained by Slovenia that provides the country with access to the coast. Unsurprisingly, this is the wine region of Slovenia with the greatest Mediterranean influence.
The soils of the Slovenska Istra are based largely around sedimentary flysch, the sedimentary rock commonly found in foreland basins between coastlines and adjacent mountains. This is the soil type that characterizes Goriska Brda, the hilly region to the north, but here it is combined with a certain quantity of limestone, from the adjacent Kras plateau.
Refosk (Refosco) is the most widely used wine grape here, and demonstrates remarkable sensitivity to subtle terroir variations. Refosk varietals from the coast tend to be richer and softer, while those from slightly further inland benefit from the increased diurnal temperature variation, and emerge with darker, gamier flavors and a stronger acid structure. The Bordeaux reds, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are leading Koper and its wines into more modern 'international' red wine styles. Slovenian Cabernet wines from the Slovenska Istra are often regarded as some of the finest reds the nation has to offer. Blended wines such as Koprcan and red Capris represent the more traditional wine styles of this area. The former is a mix of Refosco, Merlot and the two Cabernets, while the latter is a lighter style that substitutes Cabernet Sauvignon for Gamay.
White wines made in this area lose out slightly to their more popular red counterparts, but Malvasia, Chardonnay, Rebula (Ribolla) and Rumeni Muskat are used to make varietal whites, and also blended white Capris.
