Please join us for our April 18th Wine Tasting as we take a "Journey to the Balkans!"
The Balkans -- nations on the Balkan Peninsula, which is bounded by the
Aegean and
Adriatic Seas, are a land of proud peoples and profound historical significance in world history. It's also a land of temperate climates and some unbelievable wines.
Our wine host is Milko Mladinov of
Winebow, a native of
Bulgaria, the nation to the easternmost side of the peninsula. The wines he is featuring are from nations born of the former Yugoslavia - two from the
Republic of Macedonia and two from the
Republic of Serbia.
The featured varietals are native to these lands - for instance, we'll be tasking a Vranec instead of a Macedonian Chardonnay. Milko will weave his native's knowledge of the region with a discussion of each of these wines and how they compare to the wines and varietals you're familiar with.
Stobi Winery Zhilavka
100% Zhilavka -- an indigenous Macedonian varietal. It's usually used as a blending varietal to add aromatics, but Stobi decided to create a pure expression of this native grape. The wine is vinified in stainless steel and aged 12 months before bottling. Lemon yellow in color, a fresh and complex aromatic profile shows lively notes of citrus fruits and wildflowers, the palate the wine is soft and crisp with a pleasant minerality.
Stobi Winery Vranec
Dark ruby in color, with accentuated aroma of grapes which later is intertwined with discreet aroma of cherry and sour cherry. This Vranec, another native Macedonian grape, creates a red wine which is robust, full, and concentrated, and which is rich with soft and pleasant tannins. And a bonus: according to Stobi, its Vranec helps reduce fat, triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood!
Budimir Winery Tamjanika Zupska
Tamjanika is an indigenous Serbian white grape varietal. "Zupska" means "belonging to Zupa region," considered to be the home of the Tamijanika grape, which produces a wine with modern and exotic style. Tamijanika is the Serbian version of a grape the Muscat family. It's straw in color, and the nose has subtle hints of white peach and tropical fruit. It's crisp, fresh, smooth, light and easy to drink.
Budimir Winery Triada Red
The Triada Red features Prokupac, is a red wine grape variety indigenous to Serbia. Though it's most commonly used to produce rosé wines and in blends, an increasing number of producers, like Budimir, are experimenting with single-varietal red wines.
Chefs Mike Henney and Pete Phillipy have put together a special menu of heavy hors d'oeuvres to complement these fantastic wines, and the event will feature authentic music of the Balkans. And, weather permitting, we'll be outside in the Priory's garden courtyard. Make your reservation now, as space is limited! Tickets are $55. To purchase, email
Gene Lucente or call 412.224.6302.
Also, keep in mind our elegant
Wine Tastings Overnight Package - includes two tickets to the Wine Tasting and a stay in one of our fabulous guest rooms! We hope to see you here!
Queen Room: $209 per night (plus tax)
King Room: $229 per night (plus tax)
