Dimitri Brečević was born in the Jurançon and studied oenology in France before returning to his father’s homeland in Istria, the peninsula that forms Croatia’s northwest corner. Piquentum was the Roman name for the hilltop town of Buzet in this area. Dimitri farms 4.5 hectares organically. Refošk (or Refosco in Italian) is a characterful grape variety that spans northeast Italy, western Slovenia, and northwest Croatia. It tends to produce wines that are imposingly inky-purple in color, but tangy and not too alcoholic. Piquentum’s version has olive and brine notes that perhaps recall a lighter, saltier syrah. It’s great with salumi, oily fish (cured or grilled), and chicories.
