St. Martin’s Day is a traditional event equally important to winegrowers and wine lovers, because it is the day when the must (new wine) officially turns to wine. The feast of St. Martin is today recognised as a traditional event that includes enjoying good food, drinks and music, and the ceremony of baptising new wine.
The feast of St. Martin is celebrated on the 11th of November, three days after the recorded date of death (8th November 397) of this soldier, priest, bishop and saint, who is remembered as a selfless, generous Christian and pastor. Although St. Martin is mostly associated with winegrowers and winemakers, he is also patron saint of travellers, soldiers and hoteliers. In the local area, there is the custom of “baptising” new wine and folk festivals dedicated to wine. For this reason, we have prepared a special offer that includes a rich dinner with music, dance and lots of fun, and also the wine christening ceremony performed by St. Martin in person. Do not miss this chance and savour our house wines at promotional prices:
MALVAZIJA MOSCHIENA
Quality wine
West Istria wine region
Vintage 2010
Alc. 12.5% vol.
This wine is distinguished for its greenish-yellow colour and a full, rounded velvety taste…
CABERNET SAUVIGNON LAURIANA
Quality wine
West Istria wine region
Vintage 2009
Alc. 12.8% vol.
Mild, tart wine distinguished for its high quality and irresistible, varietal fragrance.
Visit the Hotel Imperial in Opatija and enjoy this autumn’s most cheerful event. To learn more about this special offer, please click here.
Did you know?
Wine is an alcoholic beverage made of fermented grape or grape juice. It is one of the most popular beverages and one of the most important ingredients of many European and Mediterranean cuisines and cultures. There are various wine varieties that reflect the diversity of climate and soil where various grape varieties are grown. Wines are usually distinguished for colour: white, rosé and red. This colour is determined by the colour of grapes and the production process.
Wine can have different alcohol content (9-15 vol. %), and also contains some mineral ingredients, mostly sodium and magnesium salts related to organic acids (wine acid), which are easily dissolved in the body and give the wine alkaline properties. Wine is rich in B vitamins, especially B2 and nicotinic acid B3. The nutritional value of 1 litre wine is 600-700 calories, or even 1,400 calories in sweet wines. One glass of wine (130 g) contains on average 90 calories – like a sandwich. When consumed in small amounts, wine creates a sense of joy. The cells of the nervous system are stimulated producing a feeling of safety and strength, while reflexes are slightly reduced. In small amounts, wine has a positive effect: it increases the level of good cholesterol in the blood. Alcohol stimulates production of enzymes that increase the level of the HDL cholesterol (high density cholesterol), which is not harmful to the organism. Finally, wine stimulates digestion, because its acidity helps digest proteins (meat, cheese, eggs). Wine is the most useful of all beverages, the tastiest of all medicines, and a favourite among different types of food. Grapes can be used as food or processed into wine. In many countries, wine regularly belongs to meal, and is also used as spice for some dishes. Because of that, many gourmets regard wine as food. Wine has no negative effect on the human organism – rather, bad effect comes from excessive drinking, just like excessive eating or any other exaggerated physical activity. The importance of wine as food has been extensively documented by many authorities in this field (gastronomes and doctors), especially in France and Italy.
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