From the Fertile Crescent to Scotland’s “water of life” In the world of whisky, barley holds a hallowed spot. It’s the only grain type that can be used for making single malt. Other grains, notably corn for bourbon and rye for rye, are the basis for spirits that also belong to the whisky family. Barley,…
Author: chasingwine
Scotland’s Terroir
All about that peat When it comes to the whisky aroma wheel, the more obscure notes to swirl from out of the glass are largely thanks to peat. Peat’s pungent array can cover everything from freshly cut lawn trimmings to smoldering campfire logs, smoked meats, and salty marsh. It also lends what is collectively, and…
Casks of Character
Whisky’s secret ingredient The first thing to know about single malt whisky is that it’s made from three ingredients: barley, yeast, and water. The second thing to know is that most of the kaleidoscope of flavors comes from the casks used for maturation. Just how much of an imprint the casks leave behind is a…
The Rise of Orange Wines
Movia and the quest to make what’s old new again In the tranquil hills of Slovenia’s Goriška Brda of the Primorska wine region, a quiet revolution has taken root. Together with its neighbor, the Collio Goriziano of Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Italy, Brda is credited with sparking interest in orange wines and establishing the style as…
Slovenia’s Wine Frontier
On the western front with Ščurek It started with a single hectare. The family records for Ščurek winery show that the grandfather of founder Stojan cultivated one hectare of vines, producing 50 hectoliters of wine, a slice alongside broader agricultural efforts. In 1989, the first bottling under the Ščurek label took place with Stojan pooling…
Chasing Wine 