Renegade Wines

 
Eastern Wines

We're heading a bit off the beaten (wine) track for this newsletter; four wines that have peaked our interest; one from Transylvania, two from Croatia, and one from Slovenia. Each wine has been crafted with grapes you probably have never heard of; we certainly had not come across Plavac Mali before this week.
These are fun, well made wines that are worthy of exploring.
_______________________________________________________ 
Edgar Brutler

Weingut Edgar Brutler Sisu Pet-Nat
(Romania, Transylvania) $38


We begin with an unusual sparkling wine made from the Grünspitz grape, a rare, traditional white varietal from the village of Beltiug in the Satu Mare region of Transylvania, Romania. Once thought to be near-extinct, a revival has begun celebrating its local heritage.

Nice spice up front with citrus that's light and refreshing. There's a brioche toastiness, tropical fruit nuances, and a sherry-like quality with bold, vibrant acidity and a fresh electric finish. 


The name "Sisu", a Finnish term, reflects strong willpower and resilience, appropriate for both the grape and the wine's style.
2024 Toreta Pošip Special

2024 Toreta Pošip Special
(Croatia, Dalmatia, Korčula) $24

From the Pošip grape grown on the island of Korčula on the Dalmatia region of Croatia, this white wine is impossibly light and fresh. Mineral-driven stone fruit, salty acidity, savory finish, this is our Summer go-to for shellfish, white fish, or just sipping on the back porch. You may recognize the label as we carried this wine a few years back. This vintage is even better!
2021 Negotians Vinarius Plavac (Croatia, Dalmatia)


2021 Negotians Vinarius Plavac
(Croatia, Dalmatia) $35
We arrive at another unique grape: Plavac Mali also grown on the island of Korčula. 

A refreshing and vibrant wine that balances the typical bold and tannic nature of Plavac Mali with lively acidity and ripeness. A medium bodied red with ripe dark fruit flavors (plums and blackberries) with beautiful red berry fruit and a finish that's lengthy. We really enjoyed this one with a chill on it. A notable Croatian red.
2022 Primož Štoka Teran Izbrani (Slovenia, Primorska)


2022 Primož Štoka Teran Izbrani
(Slovenia, Primorska) $24
Primož Štoka winery is easy to find. Jump on a boat in Venice, Italy, head directly East, when you hit the Solvenian coast you're there. Of course if you're in Trieste it's even easier; 30km down the road by car.
This wine, made from the Teran grape, has a long history in the region, celebrated in the Middle ages for it's brilliance, depth, and power.
Deep and robust, this red highlights a full range of red fruit -cherry, raspberry, cranberry- with earthy undertones, savory minerality, silky tannins, and an iron-like persistence on the finish.

You can pair this wine much like you would with a Barolo: grilled steak, cured meats, dishes featuring truffles.

These four wines are from the distinquished Danch & Granger Portfolio; a importer specializing in (mostly) Eastern European wineries that emphasis organic farming, native grapes, and low intervention winemaking.
We hope you enjoy the wines!