Wines of the North Adriatic

14/01/2025

GO2025
in 25 days it will start: Nova Gorica-Gorizia Capital of Culture
1 river, 2 countries
1 town, that became 2 towns in 2 countries (in 1947)
Borders that changed and changed and changed...
A cultural journey in the center of the NORTH ADRIATIC!

07/01/2025

CAPITAL OF CULTURE: GORIZIA & NOVA GORICA: the center of the NORTH ADRIATIC

This BBC article (below) tells the story but does not tell everything! If you want to know why this region is one of the best in Europe for eating out, if you want to learn about the wines, history, or culture: my book NORTH ADRIATIC will tell you more about this fascinating region.

This is one of the world's most interesting wine regions. And, the multicultural kitchen, with Italian, German-Austrian, and Slavic influences, is fascinating.

The book is available via paulbalke.com or contact me via PM.



https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20241213-nova-gorica-europes-first-borderless-capital-of-culture?ocid=fbtvl&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR01j7r_eO4s7-jxDw_LOe3CoXdpU33Kl8IpY93mr8m4d1ePSI_7ncaocdk_aem_8APNq6WlOroW2xkH3Y58IA

In 1947, Gorizia was abruptly split between Italy and Slovenia. In 2025, the two towns will reunite as the first transnational European Capital of Culture.

26/09/2024

TOP-story today in the World of Fine Wine Magazine: a wonderful review by Caroline Gilby about my book North Adriatic:
" Balke offers an admirable depth of research, especially into the history, landscape, and cultural background of the region. His book also gives thoughtful insights into how political borders interrupt identity."
"this is an important reference work that brings welcome attention to a dynamic and exciting part of the wine world that deserves more recognition."

Many thanks Caroline Gilby!

Caroline Gilby MW reviews North Adriatic: Friuli Venezia Giulia – West Slovenia – Istria – Kvarner by Paul Balke.

25/09/2024

Brda Home of Rebula: one of the most intriguing and exciting wine events I know. Very well organized and a fantastic way to get to know the beautiful Brda area and to get an impression of the cross-border wine Rebula - also called Ribolla Gialla.
The territory has a strong cross-border aspect, being the result of a division made in 1947: this aspect makes it all even more interesting. Rebula gives identity to this territory (even if there are many more great wines). Compliment to the producers who have created this fantastic event!
It is one of the most central areas of the NORTH ADRIATIC.

Want to read more about Brda, Rebula and the context? in my book NORTH ADRIATIC you find it all.

03/09/2024

During our visit to the Vipava valley we had our wine tasting in castle Rihemberk: they have created a small scale model of the castle and around it the tasting room. Very nicely done!

The Vipava valley is a wonderful area in the North Adriatic territory, situated in Slovenia, right east of Gorizia (IT). Rihemberk is part of the territory of Nova Gorica, in the western part of the valley. The valley is 70 km long and has a special, authentic ambience and you can find very interesting local wines like Zelen, Pinela, and even the very rare grape variety Polsjakica is now available from some producers! Follow my posts for more information about this area.

More information in my book NORTH ADRIATIC!

19/08/2024

An important book for all wine lovers: North Adriatic.
One terroir, three countries.
One of the world's most important wine territories!

for more information: paulbalke.com

10/08/2024

MARE E VITOVSKA
This is one of the most unique and particular wine events. Seated high above the bay of Trieste, enjoying Vitovska wines with friends, listening to Slovenian- and Italian-speaking producers, enjoying the sunset with a great wine, and continue to enjoy. It is magic.
And all this in the North Adriatic.

Read more:
https://paulbalke.com/mare-e-vitovska-in-morje/

23/07/2024

Ales Marinic (producer of Vini Noue Marinic) shows one of the most beautiful photos in my book: in the background the same place: the Vedrijan hill in Goriska Brda.

Goriska Brda is a wonderful place, and does not stop to charm when you are driving or walking around and tasting the many wonderful wines.

More about it you can read in the book: NORTH ADRIATIC
For information: www.paulbalke.com

Credit for the photo in the book: Enrico Gatti from Udine.

18/05/2024

VINISTRA, POREC, MAY 2024
Vinistra is one of the important fairs of the North Adriatic, with seat in the beautiful town Porec.
Presentation of my new book NORTH ADRIATIC.
And there are many interesting wines, especially Malvasia or Malvazija (Istriana or Istarska). Malvasia is one of the most important grape varieties of the , it is produced everywhere: in Kvarner, Istria, on the Karst, in Vipava valley, in Collio, Brda, Colli Orientali, Isonzo, Grave, even near Pordenone. Therefore it is one of the most important varieties from the North Adriatic.

09/05/2024

Book presentation: NORTH ADRIATIC
Location: VINISTRA, POREC (HR)
Data: 11 May 2024 14:30 PM

19/04/2024

This week in the center of New York the region Friuli Venezia Giulia is present! More than 400.000 persons will view this message each day.
Do you know why it is named Friuli Venezia Giulia?
Do you want to learn more about this fascinating region?

Read my book North Adriatic! Here you can learn much about the region, its history, its gastronomy and its fantastic wines.

available at: www.paulbalke.com

09/04/2024

NORTH ADRIATIC
This book tells the story of the North Adriatic regions and their . With a wonderful design, and a lot of information.

Do you want to discover new and lesser known parts of Italy? Use this book and you will come across some of Italy´s most interesting wine regions! And directly across the border you will find regions in Slovenia and Croatia: they were all united in one country for many centuries. This story needs to be told!

Photo: Chapter 3 History: the photo shows the Duino Castle near Trieste, a historical place. These places played an enormous role in the development of our modern Europe and also in the development of our modern wine culture.
For more information: read the book.

The book is available at www.paulbalke.com

13/02/2024

NOVA GORICA & GORIZIA: 2025 EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE

The countdown has started! The two towns, situated at the Italian- Slovenian border have started the kick-off: these two towns share an interesting history and are an epicenter of what happened in Europe since 1945. The border between Jugoslavia and Italy was established in 1947 by the Paris Peace Treaty and the town Nova Gorica was built by Tito according to principles of modernist architecture.
Gorizia has conserved its picturesque center in Austrian- Habsburg style (photo ) that in part dates from late Middle Age.
Around both towns are the wonderful wine regions of Collio, Brda, Vipava and Karst.
Trieste is not far.

This is a beautiful multicultural region in the center of Europe!
READ MORE IN MY BOOK NORTH ADRIATIC
Available through paulbalke.com

29/01/2024

My new wine arrived in Naples!
A great wine and organic!

15/01/2024

Behind a great wine there is often a person with vision: that is the case with Coronica Gran Teran. Moreno Coronica produced the wine with a lot of passion, but also the patience to wait until the wine is ready: in the wine market of this moment this patience is a problem because too many wines are sold too young. Fortunately there is Coronica Gran Teran: a fantastic discovery for lovers of great wine!

And it shows that Istria (Croatia) has fantastic potential for good red wines, wines that are strong but elegant and can compete with other important red wines (without always to have to use the same grape...Merlot ...).



READ:
https://paulbalke.com/coronica-gran-teran/

07/12/2023

Presentazione Libro Alto Adriatico
Enoteca di Cormons
14 Dicembre 2023
Ore 18.30 - 19.30
Con degustazione dei vini originali del territorio dell´Alto Adriatico!
Prenotazione gradita.