Thursday, October 7, 2021

Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I'm back again with a new edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food and drink events. I hope everyone dines out safely and tips well.
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1) Croatian Premium Wine Imports is now bringing in wines, from three different wineries, from the Croatian wine region of Istria. These are fascinating wines, from indigenous grapes, and include some amphora wines as well.

Fakin Wines, Motovun: In northern Croatia, the term "fakin" can mean a mischievous person, but in Istria it comes from the Italian “fachin” which refers to a person that carried luggage at a train station. Mirena Bagur's grandfather, in addition to having a small vineyard, was a fachin in Dalmatia,. Their wines being imported include the 2020 Malvasija, 2018 La Prima Malvasija, 2019 Teran and the 2017 Teran Il Primo

Kabola Winery, Buje: The Markežić family is well known for producing high quality wines macerated in amphorae. You can order the 2018 Kabola Amfora Malvazija, 2016 Kabola Amfora Teran, 2020 Kabola Secco and the 2020 Kabola Muškat Momjanski (a dessert wine).

Ritoša Winery, Poreč: Their vineyards are close to the Adriatic and on terra rossa instead of clay, means that the same variety will create a different wine. You can sample the 2019 Ritoša Malvazija Istarska, 2016 Ritoša Teran, 2018 Ritoša Rosé, and the 2018 Ritoša Red Rose Muskat Porečki. This summer, I tasted the 2019 Ritoša Malvazija Istarska, and was thoroughly impressed. Check out my review here as well as for more information about the winery. 

I've haven't tasted any of the other Istrian wines that are now available, but I have previously tasted others and I've enjoyed the grapes and styles Ive encountered. Be palate adventurous!

2) In the same vein, you should be trying Greek wines as well. I've long been a fan of Greek wines, and you can read my many Greek wine articles here. Bostonians are lucky to have killer Greek wine list available at Did you know that Krasi Meze + Wine in the Back Bay. In fact, it has the second largest all Greek wine list in the entire country. Sommelier and Wine Director Evan Turner has grown the wine list to 300 bottles since Krasi opened in February of 2019. 

Evan Turner's wine list at Krasi showcases bottles from PDO areas with a focus on the known grapes of Greece as well as those that are more rare and indigenous. He has been a Sommelier for over three decades and lived in Greece from ages 11-17. He has spent his entire professional career extolling the virtues of Greek wine.

Evan has now launched a Wine Wednesdays series at Krasi that will offer guests exclusive tastings, flights and by the glass pours of Greek wine. Treats, behind the scenes info, and laughter will also be flowing. This is not a stiff and stuffy wine tasting. But it is a really cool opportunity to check out cool grapes like Limniona that date back to more than 3,000 years ago and were written about by Homer and Aristotle - and almost became extinct!

Wine Wednesdays starts at 5:00 p.m. at the Krasi bar and is on a first come, first served basis. Every other week will have a specific theme, with the other weeks being a bit more free flowing. The event is open to the public and the cost varies dependent on what you wish to order, from a single glass of wine to a full wine flight. 

Upcoming themes include: 
October 20: Xinomavro; Tough to Say, Easy to Drink
November 3: Old as Time Itself: The Most Ancient Grapes of Greece
November 17: How Do You Say “Gobble, Gobble” In Greek? Thanksgiving Wines
December 1: It’s Freezing Outside So Lets Drink Wine From Santorini!
December 15: Great Wines For Christmas

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