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Tour of the Balkans
Tour of the Balkans
- Regular price
- $102.00
- Unit price
- per
The Tour of the Balkans curated collection encapsulates the rich viticultural heritage of the Balkans with wines selected from some of the region's most esteemed wineries. Our journey begins at the prestigious Marof winery, nestled on the Hungarian-Slovenian border. Renowned as the leading winery in Eastern Slovenia, Marof deftly showcases the depth and complexity of indigenous grape varieties such as Blaufrรคnkisch and Welschriesling.
We then move to the land of Alexander the Great, North Macedonia. Here, you'll encounter the peculiar yet enticing Vranec and Temjanika varieties. Though their names may pose a pronunciation challenge, their vibrant profiles offer a refreshing twist to your usual wine routine. In the heart of Macedonia lies the Stobi winery, a vineyard steeped in history. The wines produced here are a testament to the enduring legacy of this ancient winemaking region, offering a blend of tradition and modernity.
Finally, we set sail to Greece. While the geographical classification of Greece within the Balkans may spark debates, there's no doubt about the exceptional quality of their viticulture. This collection showcases Moschofilero and Vidiano, two elegant white wines that effortlessly rival renowned varieties from France.
This collection epitomizes the Vinalia ethos: uncovering exceptional value and quality from the lesser-known corners of the wine world. With this curated selection, you're not just drinking wine; you're embarking on a journey of discovery, savoring the untold stories of these remarkable wine regions.
Meet The Wines
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Vinalia x Marof, Belo
Slovenia, 2018
This is a white wine for all seasons. Refreshing and zingy enough to cool you down in the warmer months, this Lasฬki Rizling also demonstrates enough ripeness and richness to satisfy when then temperatures drop. Think of the juiciest pear or the most succulent melon, coupled sweeter garden herbs gentle orange blossom and white rose tones.
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Vinalia x Marof, Rdeฤe
Slovenia, 2017
While fresh and laden with crunchy berry flavors, this Slovenian red blend is deceptively structured, ageworthy, and complex, revealing itself in time. You get all the classic earthiness that Blaufrรคnkisch always delivers with notes of fallen leaves, fresh soil after the rain, paprika and soft spices. The splash of Cabernet adds some extra herbaceousnessโtobacco, pencil shavings, graphiteโas well as some tannic muscle.
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Vinalia x Stobi, Temjanika
North Macedonia, 2021
An exuberant, boisterous white wine that is as refreshing as it is joyful. Intoxicatingly floral, the Temjanikaโs white rose and jasmine aromas extend to the palate, where theyโre met by flavors of white peach and nectarine. A salty bite to the finish makes this the perfect white wine for the warmer months.
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Vinalia x Stobi, Vranec
North Macedonia, 2016
A powerful, ageworthy red, this Vranec lives up to its nameโs translation of โblack stallion.โ Hearty, rich, with a lingering pillar of tannic strength, the wine tastes of grilled plums, blackberry liqueur, and soft baking spices. A hearty wine that is just at home curled up by the fireplace as it is next to the grill.
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Vinalia x Bosinakis, Moschofilero
Greece, 2021
If a margarita were a wine, this would be it. Soft jasmine, lemon blossom, and white rose aromas mingle with brighter citrus notes on the palateโlime zest, grapefruit, Meyer lemon. A kiss of sea spray ends the wine on a crisp and salty note. But donโt let its charms fool you โ this wine is highly complex and can age for many years. So, if you still have some bottles by autumn, fret notโtheyโll have plenty of life ahead.
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Vinalia x Minos, Vidiano
Greece, 2021
Laden with luscious fruit flavorsโpear, yellow apple, apricot, pineappleโthis Vidiano captures the Cretan sun in its exuberant ripeness. Held together with a broad, flowing fresh acidity, and complicated with its notes of wet rocks and wilted garden herbs, this wine beckons for a plate of food to match its gastronomic profile.
Beyond the Box
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MAROF
Among the most celebrated wineries in Eastern Slovenia, Marof is also perhaps the most ambitious in the Prekmurje region and its Goriฤko subzone. The winery is a collaboration between founder Stanko Polaniฤ, who dreamed of demonstrating the tremendous potential of this long overlooked region, and Uroลก Valcl, who grew up in his motherโs vineyard and joined Marof in 2009 for its third vintage. Valcl and Polaniฤ steward their land with a gentle hand, seeking minimal intervention in the vineyard and cellar, where they focus on both native Slovenian and international grape varieties.
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STOBI
Founded in 2009 in North Macedoniaโs acclaimed Tikveลก wine region, Stobi Winery is among the countryโs finest modern wine producers. Today, Stobi Winery continues its dedication to local winemaking traditions, with over half of red plantings across its sprawling 500 hectares of vineyard dedicated to Vranec, the North Macedonian specialty. Among the most globally decorated wineries in North Macedonia, with recognition from Decanter and Mundus Vini, Stobi is a benchmark for both Tikveลก and the region at large.
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BOSINAKIS
Regarded as one of the very finest interpreters of Moschofilero in the whole of Greece, Bosinakis has been a family affair since its inception in 1992. The new generation took over in 2009, when brother-sister team Sotiris and Katerina Bosinakis took the reins of the winery. Among their contributions was a renewed and passionate focus on quality. The siblings will also gleefully share a vertical of Moschofilero going back several years, showing that contrary to certain assumptions, Moschofilero has the structure and complexity to age with grace.
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Minos
For over a century, the Miliarakis family has played a central role in the Cretan wine industry. Starting in the mid-1800s, their ancestor Antonis Miliarakis operated an inn in Peza, which later transformed into a winery as winemaking gained prominence in the region. In 1932, the family formalized their enterprise by founding Minos, Peza's first contemporary winery. Today, the third and fourth generations, including Takis Miliarakis and Maria and Nikos Miliarakis, continue the family's legacy, focusing on indigenous Cretan grape varieties and spearheading innovations in winemaking. Nikos Miliarakis also serves as the President of the Wines of Crete organization, working to promote Cretan wines globally.