• North Adriatic Flat Cover
  • North Adriatic Flat Cover
Info
  • Format:Hardback
  • ISBN:9789090339061
  • Publication Date:01-12-2020
  • Pages:256

North Adriatic

Friuli Venezia Giulia – West Slovenia – Istria – Kvarner

Paul Balke

North Adriatic

Regular price £40.00
Regular price Sale price £40.00
Sale Sold out

Available from 15th May 2025

View full details

What do Friuli, Venezia Giulia, Western Slovenia, Istria and Kvarner have in common? A lot! Despite the borders that separate them, all these regions have geographical, historical and cultural ties that bind them together. They share the same special wine culture, terroir, traditions, and gastronomy. These similarities all come together in the book ‘North Adriatic’ by wine author and traveller Paul Balke.

He takes the reader on a fascinating tour of the region around the Northern part of the Adriatic Sea. You can easily find yourself exploring this somewhat neglected corner of Europe. The book begins with a description of the geography of the area, which stretches from the Italian coastal cities of Trieste and Venice to the Croatian and Slovenian coastal towns. The unique characteristics of each location are discussed, from the well-known tourist attractions to the hidden gems that most travellers miss.

As you read, you will discover the history, from the ancient Roman influences to the medieval trade routes, Venice, and the influence of the Habsburg Empire. This is supplemented with descriptions of local traditions, and culinary delights, giving the reader a complete picture of the current, vibrant culture that characterizes this region.

Attention is also paid to the nature and biodiversity of the area. Paul describes the diverse ecosystems, from the salt marshes and lagoons to the green hills and mountainous hinterlands. North Adriatic is an inspiring book and guide for anyone who wants to discover this unknown corner of Europe. It is suitable for both the history lover and the aspiring wine traveller.

Paul Balke is a Dutch journalist and traveller with great expertise on Italy and Eastern Europe. In the past he gave many wine and sommelier courses. Nowadays he occasionally gives professional masterclasses. He also organized many educationals for the international press in Italy. He can often be found in Piemonte, about which he wrote the great Piemonte Wine and Travel Atlas. He is also often in the North Adriatic region, in Campania and Eastern Europe. For this book, North Adriatic, he travelled across all borders between Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. Few people have so much knowledge about these wine regions, grape varieties and the wine traditions on both sides of the border. He also produced several wines with his own brand, in collaboration with premium Italian wineries. More about Paul Balke can be found on his website paulbalke.com

Paul speaks seven languages and is also a good pianist: a number of his concert recordings are on YouTube.

  • Weight 2.0 kg
  • Dimensions 190 x 280 mm

‘The books that taught me about wine were about places and people. It’s the history and stories about a wine that bring it to life and make it worth talking about.’

– Steven Spurrier