Slovenia is wedged between Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia with a tiny, 40km of it touching the Adriatic Sea in the southwest corner. While the country looks like a running chicken, the geography has lent itself well to wine growing and thusly, people have been growing wine in the region since before Roman times. This Big Red from Slovenian Istria is Refosco (bet you figured that one out on your own), and shares much in common with Italian reds of the same variety. Richly fruited and stick to your ribs, it is the Slovenian answer to Zin! 90 points Wine & Spirits: "Reduced at first, this needs air to reveal its blackberry flavors. It ends on a savory note, mixing juicy fruit with scents of tobacco and cured meats. Decant a bottle for braised boar." (07/09)