Verus Furmint 2023

Verus Furmint (Šipon)The "True" Heritage White – A Symphony of Salt and Stone

🇸🇮 The VibeIf you’ve already enjoyed the Verus Muskateller, the Furmint (known locally as Šipon) is the more "serious" intellectual older brother. While Muscat is about perfume, Furmint is about texture and terroir.The name "Šipon" has a fantastic local legend: during the Napoleonic wars, French soldiers supposedly tasted the wine and exclaimed, "C'est si bon!" (It's so good!), which the locals phoneticized as Šipon. This grape is the oldest in the region, and Verus treat it with immense respect, producing a wine that is crystalline, vertical, and incredibly expressive of the Ormož marl soils.

The NoseThe nose is elegant and "cool." Instead of big floral notes, you get green apple, quince, and white pear. There’s a distinct herbal streak—think dried hay and lemongrass—layered over a deep, flinty mineral scent. It smells like wet stones after a summer rain.

The TasteOn the palate, this is a "structured" white. Furmint is famous for its high, vibrating acidity, and Verus manages this perfectly by leaving about 10% of the wine to ferment in old French oak barrels. This doesn't add "woody" flavors, but it gives the wine a creamy, rounded texture that balances the sharp citrus. You’ll taste lemon zest, grapefruit, and a distinct salty minerality on a finish that lasts much longer than you'd expect for the price.

Product Specs (Focusing on the 2024 "Record Early" Vintage)FeatureRealityOriginŠtajerska, Slovenia (Jeruzalem & Ivanjkovci hills)Grape100% Furmint (Šipon)Alcohol12.68% ABV (2024)Sugar3.2 g/l (Bone-dry)Acidity5.41 g/l (Crunchy and fresh)Vinification90% Stainless steel / 10% Old French Oak (4 months on lees)Critical Score92-94 Points (Falstaff), Jancis Robinson (16/20)

Best Paired With:The "Purist" Match: Fresh oysters or delicate white fish (Cod, Sea Bass).The "Slovenian" Way: River trout with almonds or light poultry dishes.The Contrast: Creamy risotto or sushi. The acidity in Furmint acts like a "knife" through rich textures.Pro Tip: Furmint is one of the few white grapes that ages magnificently. While it's delicious and "snappy" right now in 2026, a bottle of Verus Furmint can easily sit in your cellar for 5–8 years, where it will develop complex notes of honey and roasted nuts while keeping its fresh acidity. Serve it at 11–12°C.