I have been coming to Split on a regular basis for just over a year now, slowly discovering more about this beautiful city on my day trips from sunny Jelsa on Hvar. After that year, I have got a much better feeling of the rhythm of the city than I ever had in the previous ten years living on an island just a boat ride away.
Some businesses have opened, some have closed, and some have managed to open and close in that short period. Other new businesses have slowly made their mark on their neighbourhood and have become established as part of the established Split scene.
I first went to Paradox Wine and Cheese Bar in December 2012, having heard lots of rave reviews from expats who told me that finally there was a place to hang out with great wine and cheese, a friendly welcome and great ambience - the wine equivalent of a good Irish pub in terms of cosiness and welcome. As a Hvar boy, what struck me on arrival was the representation of not only the island's top winemakers on the list, but also some of the best names in the country, with many of them available by the glass.
What struck me soon after that just listening to the staff and client interaction was the passion and deep knowledge all the staff have about Croatian wine, and how much visiting tourists appreciate this gentle introduction into the world of Croatian wine which is usually totally unfamiliar to them, and the comments and positive reviews on TripAdvisor (which have pushed Paradox not only to number one in Split, but in all Dalmatia) are testament to the success of the management's philosophy of promoting Croatian wines.
An important part of that wine education revolves around the Wednesday tastings at Paradox, when the wines of some of the top names, usually accompanied by the winemakers themselves, are presented at Paradox, a great opportunity to learn more about the top Croatian wines, as well as meeting some of the industry's star performers. The next tasting on Wednesday is from one of the top names from Istria - Roxanich. Place is always limited for these events, so you are advised to book early - contact details in the flyer below.
A new addition for Thursdays at Paradox is The Perfect Clash, a new initiative in food and wine pairing. Space again is limited for these events, which not take place every Thursday but check the Paradox Facebook page for the latest events. Click here for pictures of the The Perfect Clash last Thursday.
Paradox was the first wine and cheese bar on the Split scene, setting high standards, and it seems to have started something of a trend, with more wine bars now opening all over the city. Good news for wine lovers and those wanting to learn more about the wines of Croatia. If you are a wine lover and would like to learn a little more about the wines of the country, pop into Paradox for a glass or two, where you will find the patient and passionate staff eager to help you through your first steps in the exciting world of discovery of Croatian wine.
