More than a year ago (May 2015) I went to the University Library of Gastronomic Sciences, established by the Slow Food organization in Piedmont, where I was studying for a master's degree in the Slow Art of Italian Cuisine. It was a few days before I left for a study trip to Tuscany and I was looking for a book to accompany me on my travels. Our librarian Bruno then pressed into my hands the book Alice Feiring - Naked Wine: Allowing the Grape to Behave Naturally, which you are currently holding in your hands.

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I started reading and felt as if Alice was speaking directly to me from her soul. As I gradually flipped through the pages, I became increasingly convinced that this book was a must-read for wine lovers in Slovakia. I looked up Alice Feiring on Facebook, we exchanged a few messages, and – driven by enthusiasm – I purchased the rights from her publisher. I set out to do something I had never done before: publish a book simply because it was great and unique.

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I had no idea what I was getting into. My friends dissuaded me by saying that the "geeks" and fans of natural wines had already read it or would read it in the original. It didn't help. I'm stubborn. What followed were months full of translation, proofreading, graphics, binding, and other little things that come with publishing a book.

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It was successful. The Slovak translation of the book Naked Wine is in the World. Many winemakers - both domestic and foreign - contributed to the work. Thanks go to Michal, Vlad, Janko, Marek, Tibor, Primož, Marko, Milan, Daniel... and to all of you who helped this book come into being. A big thank you also goes to my loved ones who supported me with my "inventions" throughout the entire process.

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I believe that you will enjoy the book as much as I do - and that thanks to it, many of you will find your way to natural wines.

 

Cheers!

festival organizer, Miro Lánik