Krasno

If you've never had Slovenian red wine before, Krasno's Rdeče (pronounced something like 'red-cheh,' for those attempting to sound knowledgeable) is an excellent place to start. From the Goriška Brda region – which shares more than just a border with Italy's Friuli – comes this approachable Bordeaux-style blend. The combination of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grown in Slovenia's distinctive terroir creates a wine that's familiar yet unique – like meeting someone new who somehow feels like an old friend. There's a freshness and vibrancy here that sets it apart from many similarly priced Bordeaux blends, making it exceptionally food-friendly. It's the perfect bottle to bring to dinner parties when you want to seem worldly and interesting without being that person who only drinks obscure natural wines from unpronounceable regions.

Rebula (or Ribolla Gialla, if you're on the Italian side of the border) is one of those grapes that wine professionals get disproportionately excited about, like finding a parking spot right in front of the restaurant. This indigenous variety has been grown in the cross-border region of Goriška Brda/Collio for centuries, where it produces wines of remarkable character and finesse. Krasno's version showcases the grape's distinctive combination of aromatic intensity and textural interest. There's a subtle richness here that makes it more versatile with food than your average crisp white, but it maintains enough freshness to keep you coming back for another sip. It's the kind of wine that makes you reconsider your white wine preferences – and possibly your vacation plans, as the stunning terraced vineyards of western Slovenia are worth the trip alone. Perfect for expanding your white wine horizons beyond the usual suspects.

What happens when you take Slovenia's star white grape and add bubbles? Something delightful that deserves way more attention than it currently gets. Krasno's Sparkling Rebula is made from 100% Rebula (known as Ribolla Gialla across the border in Italy) using the Charmat method – the same technique used for Prosecco, but with results that are distinctively Slovenian. This sparkling wine offers all the freshness and minerality that makes still Rebula so appealing, but with an added dimension of texture and complexity from the bubbles. It's crisp and refreshing but has enough character to stand up to food – unlike some simpler sparkling wines that are really just vehicles for transferring bubbles to your bloodstream. Perfect for celebrations or simply elevating an ordinary Tuesday, this is the kind of bottle that makes you seem like a wine insider without requiring a second mortgage.

Slovenia might not be the first country that comes to mind for wine, but Krasno is doing its part to change that perception one bottle at a time. From the Goriška Brda region – which is basically an extension of Italy's Friuli but with more consonants – comes this delightful white blend that showcases the best of this underappreciated wine region. The blend of indigenous Rebula (known as Ribolla Gialla across the border) with international varieties creates a wine that's both distinctive and approachable. There's a freshness and mineral quality that speaks to the region's limestone-rich soils and cooling mountain influences. It's the kind of wine that makes you wonder why you haven't been drinking more Slovenian wines all along – and at this price point, there's no reason not to start exploring. Perfect for when you want something a little different without venturing too far outside your comfort zone.