What?
Juice 2017 Grimalda, Matošević, Istria, CRO
Grape 60% Merlot, 30% Teran, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Farming Sustainable, Vegan
Tasting Note Aromas of spice, black fruit and hints oak on the nose. On the palate, it is dry with medium acidity and a full body. The flavours of red berries, sour cherries and chocolate bring this wine to life.
Who?
Ivica Matošević is widely recognised as one of the leaders of the quality revolution of Croatian wines amongst his peers, he was instrumental in setting up the Istrian appellation and establishing the wildly popular annual wine fair which takes place there to promote the wines. We believe that Ivica’s view on his personal journey is reflected in his wine: “[I am a] better man today, more honest and common, more natural and more savage, all due to changes in my life circumstances.
Why?
Described by Steven Spurrier as “Croatia’s best winemaker”, Ivica has established himself as a force of nature in the country’s burgeoning wine industry. This is due to his unbridled passion, which led him to divert his career from a PhD in agriculture, to winemaking. This passion is reflected both in his wines, which are exuberant, super fresh and true to their nature and in what he has achieved for the reputation of Croatian wine.
With?
This is a seriously complex intense wine and as such requires dishes with serious depth in flavour along with red meat proteins in order to break down the wines robust tannin profile. We would advocate the use of lamb, whether it is roasted in an oven or on a spit over coals. Be liberal with mixed bush herbs as the wine displays these very same characters. Roasted root vegetables to accompany notably beets, parsnips and sweet potatoes. Veggies that have a flavour combination of sweet and earthy in their flavour profiles would work absolute wonders!
