Through my contacts in Cambridge and New York, I was able to arrange visits in Friuli, and to get a taste of their wonderful foods and wine.  One winery, Edi Keber in Cormons, is partnered with my friend Jan, who imports their wines to New York.  Their family also has a small B&B, and their son Kristian was a marvelous host for the one day they had a vacancy.  In addition to providing tastings of their fine selections and his own wines, too, he took me to the village tasting room in Cormons, as well as to another Jan winery and friends of the Kebers — Raccaro.

La Subida – fried asparagus dish

Kristian’s own label

During the days I stayed on the Slovenian side of the border (a 20-minute drive), but I was able to visit i Clivi wines and meet its owner, Ferdinando.  My friend, Gemma, was there as well.  She is starting up her own wine importing business right now and was a great help to me while visiting the region.  One indelible memory of that visit was i Clivi 2001 Brazan, a magnificent white wine from Collio, with hints of cumin along with other flavors.

On another night we went to dinner at L’Argine a Vencò, a marvelous intimate restaurant with inventive and delicious cucina.

First time for me in Friuli and in Slovenia.  Wow; they were better than I could have imagined.