For years, we've been captivated by the emergence of world-class wines from Eastern Europe, and this bottling from Piquentum is a perfect example of why. From the Istrian peninsula in Croatia, a region sharing the same limestone-rich soils as neighboring Friuli, Italy, comes a wine that is electric, soulful, and utterly unique. Piquentum, the ancient Roman name for the hilltop town of Buzet, is the project of Dimitri Brecevic, who is crafting some of the most exciting, low-intervention wines in the region.

Dimitri’s approach is radically minimalist. His winery is a converted Mussolini-era concrete water tank, which provides naturally cool temperatures for fermentation and aging. The organically farmed Teran grapes are hand-harvested and pressed into the tank, where fermentation is started with native yeasts—sometimes with the help of large fans to bring in warmer air. With no additives, no filtering, and only a minimal touch of sulfur at bottling, this is a pure, unadulterated expression of grape and place. The wine is then aged for up to 18 months in old oak barrels to soften its edges while preserving its vibrant character.

Why You’ll Love It

• A Taste of the “New” Old World: Experience the exciting quality and unique terroir of Croatia’s Istrian peninsula.
• Radical Natural Winemaking: Crafted with zero intervention in a historic concrete water tank—a pure expression of the Teran grape.
• Vibrant & Mineral-Driven: A fascinating, light-bodied red bursting with bright fruit, wild herbs, and a distinctive sanguine minerality.
• Incredibly Food-Friendly: The combination of bright acidity, firm tannins, and savory notes makes it a versatile partner for a wide range of dishes.

How To Serve It

• Decant: A brief 30-minute decant will help the aromatics open up.
• Serving Temperature: Serve slightly chilled, around 55-60°F, in a Burgundy-style glass.
• Food Pairing: Perfect with charcuterie, grilled sausages, savory stews, or roasted game birds.