2013 Vino Budimir - Riesling Zupa Margus Margi (750ml)

Vino Budimir is a family winery in the Župa region of central Serbia, one of the world's oldest wine-growing areas, with vine cultivation here tracing back to the ancient Greeks and continuing through Roman and medieval times. The family holds a diploma issued by nineteenth-century Serbian King Milan Obrenović documenting wines made in their cellars more than 130 years ago, and winemaker Budimir Zdravković has produced more than seventy vintages across six generations of family winemaking. Their vineyards sit above the Drenca Monastery on steep, south-facing slopes at around 600 meters elevation.

Margus Margi takes its name from the Latin name for the Velika Morava, the river that runs through Župa, and is made entirely from Rhine Riesling grown on sedimentary, clay-rich soil in the Markovina and Veliko Borje vineyards. The grapes undergo cold maceration on their skins before spontaneous fermentation, and the finished wine ages for three to seven years in large old Serbian oak casks, racked every six months and bottled without filtration, a traditional approach unusual for the variety.

This Riesling shows a light gold color and a surprisingly fresh nose layered with toasty, buttery notes, a hint of petroleum, and gentle oak. The palate carries bright, structured acidity through a full range of apple and citrus flavors alongside tertiary complexity from its extended aging. It pairs particularly well with lamb and pork.