This is from Mirena’s pen: Yesterday, we celebrated the nineteenth anniversary of our first kiss by visiting the same tapas restaurant where it occurred. How romantic! Or, as the kids would have said then – ewww! That was the first time we actually spoke about wine, while exploring the Spanish wines on the restaurant’s very strong wine list.
I am grateful to have a soulmate, a friend and a business partner — creating this entrepreneurial business together has been a lot of fun for us and a great Ode to Joy (insider pun intended!)
To that end, I am sharing with you a few of Win’s favorite wines (at 15% off) and pairings:
BIBICh R5 – a slightly oxidated blend of five white wines from the Šibenik area (Debit, Maraština, Pošip, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay). Win learned of Skradin risotto from the No Reservations episode when Anthony Bourdain visited the winery (about minute 32).
Testament Zenit Pošip – a skin-contact Pošip which Win loves with grilled branzino and “blitva” (Swiss chard) with potatoes as a side dish.
Crvik Blasius – an amber (orange) wine made from Dubrovačka Malvasija that is well structured and, according to Win, pairs well with both seafood dishes and meats. With blitva on the side.
Violić Jurica Dingač – a Dingač it is, but with a modern twist. The liveliness of the aroma is a great addition to a black risotto.
Matuško Plavac Mali Dingač Royal – with royal in its name, it pairs great with any royal steak (T-bone, ribeye or similar) with blitva with potatoes, and also with a dark chocolate dessert.
Fakin Il Primo Teran – an Istrian red, Teran made with a “green harvest” (reduction of grape clusters in the vineyard), and a lot of oaking (2 years in French oak). Win’s favorite is to have it with Boškarin beef if in Istria, or an equally lean bison steak if in the US, with blitva on the side. Or with dark chocolate.
I wish you the opportunity to experience the friendship, love and partnership as the two of us have enjoyed, and raise a glass (of Croatian wine, of course) to you and us. And now, since food is love — I go forage for blitva for dinner!
Živjeli, Mirena
P.S. Many educational events are taking place in the Boston and Maine areas this August and September. Check our website Events page and our FB page for event updates. We are also scheduling tasting events in October in California (around the 10th in San Diego, the 12th in LA, the 14th in SF and the 18th in Sacramento). If you are interested in scheduling an event in your location, let us know.