Tag Archives: belgrade

Prowein 2018: 10 Wines Worth Travelling Across The Globe For

More than a month has gone by since my first Prowein experience and not a day passes that I don’t sit down and read a few lines of my tasting notes. It was truly difficult to make a top 10 list from 6870 exhibitors from 64 countries, but I succeeded somehow. On the side note, 60.000 people visited Prowein 2018 in just three days! Incredible. My attention was drawn by exotic wine countries such as Brazil, but I unfortunately did not hang out with tanned Brazilian girls. On the other hand, I did try some very nice wines that were skillfully made. Wines from Chinese regions such as Ningxia, Penglai, Changli and Shacheng made up for all the exhibitors’ clumsiness (some of them didn’t even know how to open a bottle). With this, the Chinese have proven to us that they will be knocking on doors and taking names very soon.

The most memorable experience was definitely the Mundus Vini Tasting Zone which had all its gold medalists on display. I can say with certainty that I’ve tried some of the best wines EVER here. With only three days, it was impossible to see and taste everything I wanted to, so I concentrated solely on wines that I couldn’t try back home. I admit, the love for the Old World was too strong, so at times I found myself tasting some incredible stuff from France, Spain and Italy as well. Here’s my top 10! Continue reading “Prowein 2018: 10 Wines Worth Travelling Across The Globe For”

Filling in the Blancs: Aleksandar Duković

In the new Filling in the Blancs I’ve interviewed one out of my 10 life mentors. People always laugh at this, but I kid you not, I have a list stashed in my notebook of the ten people that influenced my perspectives on existence & business and shaped me to be the man I am today. I was introduced to some very early (hi, dad), while others arrived through different networking events and situations. Aleksandar Duković has always fascinated me and is simply one of those people that you just listen to and think “damn, this guy has HUSTLED”. Continue reading “Filling in the Blancs: Aleksandar Duković”

Il Più Grande: The Art of Marchesi Antinori

The fact that every serious winelover knows at least one wine from this immense selection displays how big the Antinori brand actually is. Opened in 1385 (yes, you read it right), this winery developed its roots in beloved Florence (Tuscany, Italy) and is currently active in three other countries – Romania, Hungary and the US. However, it is most recognizable for its historic role of shaping one of the most famous Italian wine styles, the so-called Super Tuscans.

In 1971, Marchesi Antinori decided to stand up against Italian wine laws that allowed mixing white grape varieties with red, but forbade blending in international grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (*facepalm*). He got stripped of his DOCG status, with the Italian government laughing in his face and assigning him the vino da tavola label (table wine, the lowest rank you can get in Italy). Our young hero did not wither and soon received a reward for this brave act – a recognition in the US press as a rebel with a cause. Today, his Tignanello for example, has a mere IGT status (regional wine), even though it meets all requirements for DOCG. This is a perfect symbol of dissent against the rigid Italian wine tradition that began 45 years ago and managed to launch Antinori in the crème de la crème of iconic brands today. Continue reading “Il Più Grande: The Art of Marchesi Antinori”

Around the World in 18 Wines: Wine Point, Belgrade led by Frank Smulders MW

I open Youtube, start playing Prince, pour a glass of white and type the first words of this article. It all kind of falls into place and goes with the flow of a stupendous experience I had in Belgrade this past weekend on Wine Style’s Wine Point. Aleksandar Duković, the leading wine expert in Serbia (both in my perception and according to the certification he holds), created something worth all the praise in the world – a six-hour event led solely by the finest people in the industry. Now, you readers living outside of the Balkans will probably think „oh, come on, MWs have presentations every other week in my city“, but for us this is a serious step forward and not at all an easy task to accomplish.

Basically, Wine Point was a WSET/MW seminar followed by a grand tasting of Antinori wines. Frank Smulders, a Dutch Master of Wine (MW) and one of the principal educators in the business today, guided 30 people through the classic systematic approach of tasting, explained what it takes to receive the highest title in this trade and guided us through all the levels of the largest wine institute in the world – Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET). Continue reading “Around the World in 18 Wines: Wine Point, Belgrade led by Frank Smulders MW”