It was only a matter of time for quality wines from Slovenia to make their debut on the Irish market. Ever since the country joined the EU in 2004, its wine industry has been in the process of modernisation with the help of EU funding and a small but significant number of wine growers are now producing bottles which can match those of West European competitors in terms of quality and value.

Lower end Slovenian wines can be found in some multiples, but Cases Wine Warehouse from Galway is listing a small but interesting selection from Vina Poljsak in the Vipavska Valley.

At a portfolio tasting in Dublin this week, Cases md Peter Boland showed a Sauvignon Blanc and Rumeni Muscat from this producer, both of which were good examples of their varietals and indeed of this region which also produces quantities of Chardonnay, Sauvignon, and the indigenous Zelen, Pinela, and Vitovska Garganja grapes. Both wines were from the quality end of the Slovenian industry and with rrps of €23.95, they are likely to appeal to either the adventurous or the specialist consumer.