January 23, 2021 - If you are celebrating International Wine Days, it is good to remember that February 1st is Pušipel Day. It is a lively and fresh white wine with a clear yellowish-green hue, from the Croatian Uplands, or the Međimurje region.

"The Croatian name Pušipel, Furmint, Šipon, and Mosler - are all just different names for the same white grape variety that grows in the triangle of Međimurje, Slovenia, and Hungary," says said Mirena Bagur, VP/Brand Management at Croatian Premium Wine Imports, Inc, CPWI, based in Boston, MA.

CPWI already carries almost 50 different wine labels in its inventory from three distinct Croatian wine regions and has so far built two distribution channels in parallel, an online store that delivers to almost all US states, www.CroatianPremiumWine.com, and a traditional distribution that has so far established in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Georgia, and California. 

"CPWI was founded two years ago and ever since then, we are actively promoting Croatian wines in the USA. I am happy we will also be offering Pušipel (classic versions and a prestige, a second-harvest wine) as part of our Međimurje wine selection. Herbal notes such as dry hay are dominant in this wine variety, followed by plenty of citrus fruits with a slight flowery hint. While the alcohol content remains mild, the taste is full and well-rounded, making Pušipel a great pair for fish, white meat, risotto, or pasta with a cheese-based sauce. We also offer other Međimurje wines - like Graševina, Yellow Muscat, and Sauvignon Blanc," says Bagur.

It is important to say that the winemakers of Međimurje received numerous medals at the 2020 edition of Decanter for its Pušipel.

Wines of Međimurje, @winesofmedjimurje, Facebook.com/winesofmedjimurje, is an association of winemakers from the area who work together and join efforts regarding the vineyards, winemaking, and events, plus the creation of their Wine Road. One of their projects is a design of a bottle specifically for Pušipel – so only Pušipel can be bottled in this protected bottle design. The association includes Cmrečnjak, DK (Dvanajščak-Kozol), Horvat, Jakopić, Kocijan, Preiner, and Štampar wineries.

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