The year after the film was released, Merlot sales took a significant dip in the United States. It was hard to escape from the stigma around Merlot that the film created. Admittedly, even Matt was affected, he avoided the grape early in his wine drinking days.

There is a very ironic thing about the grape in the film. Miles, the main character, shows his disdain for Merlot and Cabernet Franc in the film. Miles’ most prized possession is a 1961 Chateau Cheval Blanc, a right bank Bordeaux blend made of… Merlot and Cabernet Franc!

Say Hello to Croatian Merlot

Merlot isn’t the most “sexy” wine grape. However, there is no question that it has the ability to make deep, rich, world-class wines. Two of the most expensive wines in the world, Chateau Petrus and the aforementioned Chateau Cheval Blanc, are Merlot-based wines.

Our main focus is indigenous varieties. Because of the nature of what we do, we see a lot of Merlot. As we trot around the unheralded corners of the wine world, it seems as if everybody tries their hand at growing and vinifying it. Admittedly, it becomes difficult to taste the endless swathes of these wines after a while.

Croatian Merlot is a breath of fresh air, it is grown in all four winegrowing areas of Croatia. Here we will focus on three: Istria, Dalmatia, and Slavonia. We have yet to taste a Merlot from the Uplands that got us really excited.

Istrian Merlot

The region that is touted as the best potential for the grape is Istria. In fact, British wine critic Oz Clarke said Istria might be the world’s second-best Merlot terroir after Bordeaux. The Istrian peninsula is surrounded by the moderating Adriatic sea and has proximity to the Slovenian and Dinaric Alps that bring down cool air.

Those climatic factors plus the mineral soil may be the reason. The Merlot from Istria is rich, plush, and low in alcohol. Istrian Merlot can be ripe and plush while still maintaining alcohol levels of 12.5%. More importantly, the wine still has enough earth flavors and a true sense of place along with the ripe fruit flavors.

Istria is number 8 on the map.

Dalmatian Merlot

Dalmatia is a magical place for grapes. There are so many unique grapes grown in small pockets of the entire region. Some grapes exist only in small corners of remote islands. That is what makes the place special, all the unique and odd sounding grapes. Who knew that Merlot coming from the region would taste so good.

Our two top Merlot-based wines are from Dalmatia. The climate in Dalmatia is true Mediterranean with very hot and dry summers. The Merlot-based wines we have tasted from the region are rich and dense. These wines also range from fruity & unpretentious to serious with many layers of depth.

Northern Dalmatia is where we have tasted the most exciting Merlot based wines. A few areas of note are around the village of Skradin, Benkovac, and the island of Pag. The Merlot here gets tons of sun and takes on more sour red fruit flavors which Matt really likes. The best way to describe the grape here is an imaginary mix of Merlot flavors from Languedoc (France) and Lebanon.

Slavonian Merlot

Slavonia the region (not the country Slovenia) is in the far eastern, continental part of Croatia. The Slavonian oak barrels and casks from this area are famous with winemakers around the world, especially in Italy. Most of the region is covered with the Graševina (Welschriesling) grape.

Known as a white wine region, their momentum for producing reds is picking up quickly. A well-esteemed Dalmatian producer even told us that, “We (Dalmatians) need to step up our game because the red wines from Slavonia will rival ours in a few years.” When we visited the region we tasted some good examples of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir.

It seems that most producers that make red wine choose Merlot. The wines here can taste lean and underripe sometimes. More often than not they seem a bit one-dimensional. There are some good examples however. The best Merlot wines we have tasted from this region tend to have more herbal and earthy notes compared to Dalmatia and Istria.

Exotic Wine Travel’s Picks for Croatian Merlot

All three regions are pumping out some excellent Merlot-based wines. The most exciting thing is the fact here is a difference between each of the regions. Here are some of our favorite examples of Croatian Merlot.

Istrian Merlot

• Roxanich, Merlot 2007

Find Roxanich wines at wineandmore.com

Roxanich is a natural producer that believe in wild yeasts, spontaneous fermentation, and long aging prior to release. This is a unique wine without a lot of terroir and aging notes, so it may not be for everyone but we really like it. The wine has flavors of leather, meat, dried plum, brown spice, vanilla, and tomato leaf – a lot going on here. The flavors are very big on the palate, the tannins are soft and the finish is extremely long. 

• Vina Laguna, Castello Festigia 2012

Find Vina Laguna wines at wineandmore.com

A blend of 60% Merlot, 20% Syrah, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. This vintage won a Gold Medal and Regional Trophy at the 2015 Decanter competition in London. The winery Vina Laguna is one of the largest in Croatia, pumping out 4.5 million liters of wine every year – all with estate-grown grapes. Their basic wines are very serviceable and widely available. Festigia is the name of their reserve line of wines.

This wine is very delicious and very well made. It is stuffed full of tobacco, chocolate, cedar, blackberry, plum, and white pepper. What we like about this wine is it is fruity without being over-the-top and without high alcohol. This is a delicious wine that is just plain nice to drink, with fine-grained tannins, and enough complexity to keep you engaged. 

• Collis, Cuvée 2014 

A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon from a brand new winery in Istria.  This wine is an impressive effort given the difficult and rainy vintage of 2014. This spends 18 months in oak and is rich with red fruit, caramel, and vanilla. The wine has beautiful texture with well-integrated wood flavors. Fan of Old World wine will be happy with this excellent effort. 

Dalmatian Merlot 

This is the 2013 but the labels for all the vintages are the same

• Boškinac, Cuvée 2007 

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A blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged for two years in French oak before release. This wine has a big-time reputation and we see why. We’ve also had the 2012 and 2013 vintages of this wine – both are excellent. This 2007 is on another level, we tasted this wine from a Jeroboam (3 liter – Double Magnum) bottle. It has amazing flavors of pencil lead, dried plum, dried cherry, and earth. The wine is rich and medium bodied with a long end palate, tangy acidity, and structure for days. 

• Bibich, Sangreal Merlot 2011

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We had a three and a half hour wine pairing lunch at Bibich and it was epic. During the magical afternoon, we tasted through his entire portfolio of wines. The top wines of Bibich are his Aleph and Bas de Bas. The Sangreal Merlot is no slouch, it is aged for 24 months in oak before bottling. This is dense, ripe, and slightly spicy. There are lots of dark plum, blackberry, and earth notes but the minerality is what makes this special. The Sangreal Merlot is a easy drinking and delicious wine.

• G & J Vina, Tvoja Krv i Moja 2012

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The words tvoja krv i moja translate to your blood and mine. It is the solo wine that comes from a French-trained couple. This wine from Northern Dalmatia is extremely difficult to find but the chase is worth it. The wine is rich and it has flavors of sour cherry at first. The sour cherry is immediately followed by a rush of black fruit, mint, and pencil lead. The long finish suggests that this couple knows what they are doing.

Slavonian Merlot 

• Bartolović, Merlot 2011

A wild card from a producer in Slavonia. Bartolović is the least heralded of the prior mentioned producers. This is inexpensive but extremely well made, mouth-watering, and delicious.This wine is extremely bright with a lot of sour cherry notes on the palate. There is also a touch of cedar, mineral, and clay notes present. The producer makes wines of real character, they are a hidden gem amongst Croatian wines. 

The finest selection of Croatian Merlot wines available at: 

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    Do you want to try Croatian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

Related Articles

Decanter Article on Istria Quoting Oz Clark 

The post We Are Drinking F@#cking Croatian Merlot!! appeared first on Wine Travel.

Plešivica is located in the western part of Central Croatia, less than 30 kilometers southwest of Zagreb. The A1 highway approaches Plešivica on a flat plain, but once you turn off the road and head north, the hills start to climb. The change in elevation and scenery is abrupt and dramatic. The steep hills provide panoramic views of the flatlands. The tiny villages are linked by small roads, and the overall outlook is reminiscent of Barolo in Piedmont, Italy.

Plešivica is number 6 on the map.

The vineyards lie on the rolling hills of the Samobor range, between 200 and 600 meters in elevation, and experience a true continental climate. Most of the vineyards face south, which allows for sufficient sunshine to ripen the grapes while the elevation and early morning fog help to retain acidity.

Plešivica Grapes and Styles

One downside of Plešivica is the lack of autochthonous varieties that can be considered trademarks of the region. Istria has Teran and Malvazija. Dalmatia has dozens of obscure names, along with headliners Plavac Mali and Pošip. But here, the plantings are dominated by international varieties, with only a small portion of obscure native grapes that are being used for commercial production.

There are wonderful wines being made here, from the white grapes Graševina (Welschriesling), Chardonnay, Rhine Riesling, Neuburger, Pinot Gris, Pinot blanc, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Zeleni Silvanac (Müller-Thurgeau), and the native Žuti Plavec. A few producers have Portugizer, Pinot Noir, and one producer has a vineyard of Syrah.

This is becoming the area in Croatia for sparkling wine. All of the vineyards are on the south facing slopes which allow for adequate sun, but the elevation and early morning fog help retain acidity. Sparkling producers like Tomac say that the carbonate soils here mimic those of Champagne. This region has also been suggested as the best area in Croatia for Pinot Noir. Several producers make some very commendable and fruity Pinot Noir wines that show great elegance.

Plešivica vines in December 2016 photo by Krešimir Ivančič

Despite the attention Plešivica receives for its sparklers and Pinot Noirs, we feel like the dry white wines are overlooked and very exciting. They are taut and spring loaded with energy and acidity. Several examples of wines we tasted from Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling displayed these exact characteristics.

Standout Plešivica Wineries

There are anywhere from 30 commercial wineries in Plešivica depending on the source. Of these wineries, four have a large market presence and reputation of high-quality winemaking. Thanks to the help of our friends, we visited Plešivica three separate occasions over a three-week period. We have a separate article about our long and exciting visit with Tomac, these other three wineries were also impressive.

Korak

Just under the village of Plešivica sits the cellar of Korak. It has a fantastic, panoramic view over the rolling hills. Velimir Korak is the proprietor and is bright, jovial, and full of energy. He learned winemaking from his grandfather but is also schooled in modern winemaking techniques. He makes wine from Riesling, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. Velimir labels his wines with the name of the micro-location under the grape variety.

We spent several hours with him on a cold December afternoon. All of us sipped, talked, and laughed while looking out over the wine hills. Velimir has a wonderful sparkle in his eye and his warm personality made us feel at ease.

“It is not who you learn (winemaking) from, but who gives you the passion.” – Velimir Korak

Velimir’s annual production depends on the year but recently has reached 50,000 bottles. His cellar is immaculately clean and well organized. All of Korak’s high-quality wines are fermented in traditional, large oak casks. Some of his wines are barrel fermented, like his well-renowned Chardonnay Sur-Lie. The wines are pure, clean, and vivid expressions of the grapes.

Exotic Wine Travel’s Picks

• Korak Pinot Sivi 2011

Amber (orange) wine made from Pinot Gris. This is macerated one month on the skins and looks like a rosé in the glass. Flavors include rose, orange peel, red cherry, and lychee. There is a touch of earthiness and it tastes like a light red wine. The body is medium and there are no tannins which make this an easy amber wine to drink. 

• Korak Syrah 2013

Strong nose and a very elegant mouthfeel on this red wine that seems out of place in the area. This is from a half-hectare of Syrah that doesn’t fully ripen every year. It has black pepper, blackberry jam, caramel, and violets. This is medium bodied and soft tannins. A very nice interpretation of the grape, fruity and earthy.

• Korak Chardonnay Sur Lie 2013

This wine has the reputation of being the best Chardonnay and one of the best white wines in all of Croatia. It tastes like a Mâconnais, White Burgundy. Very elegant and graceful effort. Flavors of melon, banana, pineapple, and crushed rocks with a touch of hazelnut. The body is full, and the wine has intense flavors with a long finish.

Find Korak wines on wineandmore.com

Šember

This cellar is down the hill from the village of Plešivica. It is a humble, family-owned cellar with a stellar reputation for making delicious, high-value for money wines. Their production hovers at around 45,000 bottles per year with half of that being sparkling wines. The family has seven hectares of Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Noir.

Zdenko Šember and his son Nikola head up the winemaking which goes back six generations in the Šember family. They also have a wine made in amphora, like Tomac, but we did not get a chance to taste it. The tasting room doesn’t have the sweeping views that Korak’s possesses but it feels homely, like a mountain chalet.

We reached the cellar after sunset. The entire family was busy bottling and packaging wine. Zdenko’s daughter Lucija, who speaks excellent English, led us through the tasting. Later in the evening Zdenko and Nikola joined us and soon we were tasting through several tank samples. Their wines are well made and are very easy drinking and one of the tank samples knocked our socks off (noted below).

Exotic Wine Travel’s Picks 

• Šember Rosé Pjenušac NV

Méthode Traditionelle from Pinot Noir. Full of raspberry, strawberry, apple, and biscuit flavors. The palate is a little bit angular but it is still delicious. The acidity is high and the bubbles are really fine. This may be the best value in Croatian sparkling wine. 

• Šember Rajnski Rizling MMXI (2011)

Every vintage we tasted of Šember’s Rieslings were made differently and came with varying levels of sugar. This 2011 vintage is macerated for 25 days and aged for 2-years in large oak casks, it is a dry wine. A full-bodied white wine that has flavors of pumpkin, apricot, peach, and leaves. Rich with a long finish. 

• Šember Pinot Crni 2015

We tasted the 2011, 2013 and 2015 vintages of Pinot Noir from Šember. This 2015 was tasted from a barrel sample. This has the goods to be excellent. Chocolate, cherry, and hazelnut. This is rich and fruity with high acidity and smooth tannins. The finished product should be excellent. 

Find Šember wines on wineandmore.com

Ivančič

Krešimir Ivančič has the highest vineyards among these three producers. His cellar is above the village of Plešivica and it affords panoramic views of the wine hills below. Krešimir showed us numerous smartphone photos, looking downward at the fog just before sunrise. “This is the view I have every morning and it never gets old” he told us. We spent the entire evening sampling his wines, hearing his stories, and eating marvelous blood-sausage prepared by his family.

Ivančič is the rebel in Plešivica and it is evident in his wines. Krešimir does things his own way and is unwavering in his tastes. His production is small, about 25,000 bottles per year and finding the wines on the Croatian market can be difficult. He works with Rizvanac (Müller-Thurgau), Chardonnay, and Portugizer. The latter grape is known for making young, quaffing wines but Krešimir makes a still version aged in oak and a sparkling wine out of it.

Krešimir’s production revolves around sparkling wine made in méthode traditionelle. What sets him apart is what he looks for in sparkling wine. He doesn’t enjoy the biscuit flavors in Champagne. “I like to make sparkling wine with fine bubbles that display the pure flavors from the grape,” he told us.

Exotic Wine Travel’s Picks

• Ivančič Griffin Rizvanac 2014 – 100% Müller-Thurgau

This is a very surprising white wine made from this German grape that is cross betwen Riesling and Madeleine Royale. It is oily, smoky, and spicy with nice notes of ripe apple and Asian pear. The mouthfeel is rich and it coats the mouth with being obtrusive. 

• Ivančič Griffin Dark Side Barrique 2013

Portugizer is known for making simple, fresh wines to be consumed young. They are the “Beaujolais Noveau” wines of Croatia. This is a more serious take on this unheralded grape and has an impressive layer of oak that is not overbearing. It has sour cherry, pepper, and cedar flavors that are accompanied by soft tannins. Fans of Central Italian Sangiovese will really enjoy this wine. 

• Ivančič Griffin Zero Brut Nature NV – 100% Chardonnay

This was made with méthode traditionelle and no dosage (sugar) was added after disgorgement. This is the most biscuit flavored white wine in Ivančić lineup. Full of lemon, pear, sweet tart candy, and bread. Bigger in body, with creamy mousse and a long finish.

Ivančić Griffin Wines can be found at wineandmore.com

If You Love Wine…

If you are a wine lover and in Croatia, don’t miss out on Plešivica. It offers stunning scenery and some delicious wines. Maybe if you are in luck, some kick-ass blood sausage too.

The finest selection of

Croatian wines

available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Croatian Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Croatian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

Disclosure: Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide. 

The post Plešivica: The Secrets of the Rolling Wine Hills appeared first on Wine Travel.

Hello! Welcome to As Drunk by Exotic Wine Travel, a weekly column where we feature interesting wines that we encourage you to seek out. The reviews featured in this series may be written by either one or the both of us. The featured wines can be from obscure or well-known wine regions. We hope that these wine recommendations will keep you gastronomically curious and your palate invigorated!

Vinarija Križ

Denis Bogoević Marušić holds the reins in Križ winery, but his father Mile is also involved in the operations. Križ is an eco-certified producer of Plavac Mali and Grk wines. Its two-hectare vineyard is farmed utilizing biodynamic practices.

Križ Grk 2016

The Križ Grk was inspired by the winemakers in Slovenia. Denis decided to bring the Grk variety to Pelješac and make an amber/ orange wine from it. Skin contact lasts for less than a week and fermentation happens in the barrels. No additional sulfur is used and the wine is unfiltered. This macerated Grk has a bittersweet bouquet that evokes citrus rind, peach, wood smoke, and nut. It’s buoyant on the palate with white-tea like astringency.

4.1/5

Križ Trica 2015

The Križ Trica is made from Plavac Mali. It’s medium in color and full of black cherry, plum, rose petal, and herbs. It has fantastic wood integration, just a rocking nose that smells like a modern Plavac Mali. Elegant for this grape which can be a rustic bruiser at times. It’s tannic but the tannins are ripe. Bright acidity lifts the palate up. It’s really like delicious cherry juice with a touch of Mediterranean herbs.

4.0/5

(You can find out more about our scoring system on the START HERE page.)

The finest selection of

Croatian wines available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Croatian Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Croatian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase the items via the links we provide.

The post Križ Grk 2016 and Trica 2015 appeared first on Wine Travel.

Sontacchi

The Sontacchi brothers Krunoslav and Antun have a small winery in the center of Kutjevo. Right on Graševina square is their humble cellar which has been in the family since 1900. The cellar is modest and is sufficient for the 10,000 bottles per year production. The fruit is sourced from their small parcel of vineyards and their focus is red wine.

They also own one of the few accommodation options in Kutjevo. Sontacchi Winery Bed and Breakfast is directly above the cellar. The beds are comfortable and we ate a wonderful meal of sauerkraut and fresh blood sausage when we stayed there in the dead of winter.

Krunoslav pouring his Cabernet Franc (Kitokret).

Before we started dinner, Krunoslav brought a collection of wines for us to taste. Although Krunoslav is the head winemaker, he works during the day as a civil engineer in the nearby town of Požega. For Krunoslav, winemaking is a hobby and a way to pay homage the family heritage – at least, for now. The winery is famous in Croatia for its Cabernet Franc which is name “Kitokret.” This name surprisingly translates to “dick turner” and has an interesting label, to say the least.

We tasted through two vintages of Sontacchi’s Graševina, two vintages of Pinot Noir, two vintages of the Cabernet Franc (Kitokret), and one old vintage of late harvest Müller-Thurgau. Later Krunoslav also passed us two samples of macerated amber wines made for his personal consumption. All of the wines were delightful.

Sontacchi winery represents everything that Exotic Wine Travel is about. A producer who truly cares about what they are producing and doing it at a high level. Sontacchi is a true, under-the-radar gem that is worth seeking out if you are in Croatia. Their wines may be difficult to come by so it’s best to go out and visit them. Sharing a meal, drink, and night’s rest at the B&B is a wonderful experience.

A plate of fresh cold cuts from Sontacchi… part of a complete breakfast.

Exotic Wine Travel’s Pick

• Sontacchi Pinot Crni 2011

This was a revelation, it is everything that Pinot Noir lovers want. It is full of mushroom, wet forest, bright cherry, and strawberry flavors. This wine has depth and feels bouncy on the palate. It isn’t the most complex rendition of Pinot but it definitely isn’t simple. Kudos to this producer for making an excellent and inexpensive Pinot Noir

Adžić

We were on this trip through Slavonia with two of our Croatian friends, Tomislav and Vedran. Tomislav was adamant about visiting Adžič. We had seen their labels before in many shops in Croatia but had not tried them. We decided to stop in for an impromptu tasting – we’re glad we did.

The Adžič cellar is in the center of Kutjevo. Mr. Antun Adžič heads up the entire production himself, about 100,000 bottles per year, at the ripe age of 75. His cellar is meticulously clean and well organized. Mr. Antun walked us up to his tasting room, which was as clean as the cellar. He explained to us that his labels are fashioned after his grandmother’s traditional dress, which was on display in the tasting room.

We tasted through a few different examples of his Graševina and his Pinot Gris. He may make the finest example of Graševina that we have tasted in Croatia. All of the whites are taut and spring-loaded with energy and acidity. They all express pure and crisp fruit flavors. After tasting the excellent white wines, we walked down to the cellar and tasted a few red wines from the barrel.

Zweigelt is an Austrian grape that shows up regularly in continental Croatia – usually with uninspiring results. The Adžič Zweigelt 2015 had a tart, juiciness that will go well with either fish or meat. Antun also allowed us to taste his 2015 Pinot Noir, one sample from a new oak cask and another from a used cask.  The grape definitely has potential in Kutjevo, we’ve tasted enough solid examples to be optimistic. Pinot Noir in the area doesn’t provide the depth here that it is capable of, but it can be fun and fruity with enough earth notes to keep drinkers happy.

Antun Adžicč in front of a barrel of Pinot Noir from 2015.

We never get sick of spending time with winemakers in their own cellar. It allows them to open up and we get to see them in their private space. When there is a language barrier, this may be the key to connecting with the winemaker – this was the case with Antun. He completely opened up and soon was popping open archive bottles of his Pinot Noir.

Our short time in Adžič was calming and delicious. His wines are worth seeking out and trying. Thanks to our friend Tomislav for leading us to another gem.

Exotic Wine Travel’s Picks

• Adžič Graševina Hrnjevac 2015

From a vineyard in the village of Hrnjevac planted in 1970. This is a bright, lively, and crisp Graševina. It is fun while being serious at the same time, more of an international style. The wine is full of mineral, melon, and green apple flavors. It is clean and has beautiful minerality.

• Adžič Pinot Sivi 2015

A delicious wine made from Pinot Gris. The wine’s style is in between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris. A bouncy medium-bodied white wine that is tart and full of green apple, pineapple, and mineral flavors. Clean, well made, and a real treat

Krauthaker

Our last appointment was with a legend in the Croatian wine scene, Vladimir Krauthaker. Vladimir “Vlado” was the head winemaker of Kutjevo Cellars during the Yugoslavian period. He is an educated agronomist and oenologist, in the early 1990’s he decided to go off on his own. He started with one hectare of vineyards, producing less than 7000 bottles a year. Today he manages over 100 hectares and produces over 700,000 bottles per year. Vladimir also has 38 different varieties planted on his property, more than half of them for experimental purposes.

Martina Krauthaker (Vlado’s daughter and winemaker) and Vlado’s nephew Ivan        showing us a photo of the Krauthaker property.

While we were taking our WSET Level III course in Zagreb, we met a marketing employee of Krauthaker – who is also named Tomislav. After we finished our WSET Course, Tomislav set up a fabulous visit at the winery for us.

As we went through the main winery and the new warehouse outside of Kutjevo, it is amazing to think that Vlado started from nothing less than twenty years ago. Krauthaker produces strictly bottled wines, he also has a basic line of 1L bottles named 45.4 Paralela (the winery sits at the 45.3 degrees N parallel). They were bottling the Paralela line when we visited and everything was moving like clockwork.

When you visit Krauthaker, this is how Vladimir rolls…

Then the tasting began and boy was it special. Over four and half hours and 32 wines, it was the largest tasting we had done at one single estate. It took an enormous amount of concentration and stamina to concentrate and record all of our notes. We walked away with a great deal of respect for Krauthaker.

For such a large production, all of the wines had character and distinction. A few of the wines like the Zelenac Kutjevo 2015 and Mercs from 2012 were spectacular. We also learned that Vlado has been really getting into natural, macerated white wines. His staff told us that he only drinks amber wines now. There are several different versions of these amber wines and they are only available at the winery.

It’s amazing to see such an established winemaker continually pushing the boundaries and experimenting. That is what drove Vlado to success and is the reason the winery should continue to be excellent moving forward.

Exotic Wine Travel’s Picks

• Krauthaker Zelenac Kutjevo 2015

This is a grape that was originally from Kutjevo, it was then taken to Austria leaving no vines behind. Krauthaker brought this grape back in 1995. It is really wild and reminds us of Mtsvane from Georgia. It has flavors of orange, kiwi, grass, and sweet basil. It has a beautiful saline character and bright acidity, a real winner for an indigenous grape. We took this home with us and it held its ground next to blockbusters from Friuli, Italy. 

• Krauthaker Kuvlakhe – GR (Graševina) 2011

This amber wine was macerated for a whopping 207 days on the skins. It pays homage to Georgian amber wine which Vlado Krauthaker likes very much. Made with organic grapes and natural yeasts, this is very interesting and truly smells and tastes like a red wine. It is very cloudy in color. The wine has flavors of red berries, cedar, citrus, nuts, and orange peel. The wine starts out very woody on the palate which bothers us at first. After some air, it softens up and really sings.

• Krauthaker Mercs 2012

This is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 24 months in Slavonian oak. This is a beauty of a wine. It has violets, red cherry, cassis, cedar, and pencil lead. It has medium weight and a touch of sweet tobacco on the spicy finish. The tannins are round and ripe.

Slavonia, More Than Just Oak

As we drove down the highway back to Zagreb, we thought about our time in Slavonia. The wines of the region smashed through our expectations. The wines were a heck of a lot better than we expected them to be, especially the reds. Coastal Croatia produces most of the red wines in the country, but they need to look over their shoulder because Slavonia is coming.

The finest selection of

Croatian wines

available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Croatian Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Croatian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

The ideas expressed in this article are personal opinions and are not associated with any sponsors or business promotions. You can find out more about accommodation at Sontacchi at their Website. 

The post Slavonia, An Undervalued Croatian Wine Region Part 2 appeared first on Wine Travel.

In the Spring of 2018, we set out on a re-tour of Croatia to bring our book Cracking Croatian Wine: A Visitor Friendly-Guide to life. There was so much to share about Dalmatia that we ended up shooting five episodes on the region. This is the fifth and final episode about Dalmatia, ‘Cracking Croatian Wine In Brač & Hvar’.

The Croatian Wine Region of Slavonia

Most wine geeks have heard of Slavonia, but usually, they associate it with high-quality oak for barrels. Very few people are aware that Slavonia is a Croatian wine region. This continental region is located in the eastern reaches of Croatia.

In addition to wine, this region is home to the Croatian specialty Kulen. It is a pork sausage spiced with paprika. This dense meat is served sliced and makes a perfect pairing with the local wines.

Slavonia is a versatile region capable of producer red & white Croatian wines. One of the principle grape varieties is Graševina (commonly known as Welschriesling, Olaszrizling, Laški Riesling, Italian Riesling, etc) but red grapes like Merlot, Zweigelt, Frankovka (Blaufränkisch), Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Syrah also flourish here.

The best thing is that these wines represent some of the finest values in Croatian wine. Come explore the region with us in ‘Cracking Croatian Wine: Zagreb & Slavonia’.

Watch “Cracking Croatian Wine: Zagreb & Slavonia” on Exotic Wine Travel YouTube:

Timestamps: Cracking Croatian Wine Zagreb & Slavonia

(1:04) Come be a local with us in Zagreb. We will take you to the Trešnjevka Market for our favorite local snack from Burek Mira. After grabbing a snack, we’ll take you to our favorite coffee place in Zagreb Teneo Coffee.

(2:08) Joins us for dinner at Dubravkin Put. This is our favorite restaurant in Zagreb and the head sommelier Tihomir Purišić has assembled one of the finest wine lists in Croatia.

(5:28) Take a road trip with us to the Croatian wine region of Slavonia. This region was founded by the Cistercian Monks in the 13th century. They set up a wine cellar in Kutjevo that is still producing commercial wine.

(5:58) Meet Krunoslav Sontacchi, owner and winemaker at Sontacchi Winery. Together with his brother Antun, Krunoslav runs a winery and guesthouse in the center of Kutjevo. Sontacchi produces one of the most sought after Pinot Noirs in Croatia in addition to an excellent Cabernet Franc.

(7:04) Have dinner and breakfast with us at Sontacchi Guesthouse. They cook excellent, honest food from sourced local ingredients.

(8:44) Meet Ivan Enjingi of Enjingi Winery, the first to privately bottle wine in Croatia. Mr. Enjingi put Croatia on the map by winning the Regional Trophy for Best White Wine at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Ivan won the award with his white wine named ‘Venje’. It continues to be an iconic Croatian white wine.

(10:25) Slavonia is a potentially great wine region but definitely has its obstacles. Learn more about Slavonia’s struggles here.

(10:44) Join us for a private tasting at Krauthaker Winery. Vlado Krauthaker is a Croatian wine pioneer. He is always experimenting and produces a wide range of white, orange, and red wines that always deliver high quality. A tasting at the cellar always turns out to be a huge event.

(12:24) Discover a few other high-quality producers in Slavonia including Kutjevo Cellars, Adžić, Feravino, Perak, and Orahovica.

(12:43) Come taste with us at Galić Winery. Local businessman Josip Galić just opened a modern, state-of-the-art cellar in the heart of Kutjevo. They produce quality wines that are widely available throughout Croatia. His latest sparkling wines made with the Champagne method are worth seeking out.

View, like, share the full episode on our Facebook Page:

The finest selection of Croatian wines

available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Croatian Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Croatian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

You May Also Enjoy: Making Cracking Croatian Wine

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Cracking Croatian Wine: Zagreb & Slavonia appeared first on Wine Travel.

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To understand the world around us and our place in it, we’ll require much willingness to venture beyond our existing beliefs constantly. When we recognize that a belief we’ve established in the past was – in fact – a choice, we begin to see ourselves as active creators of new perceptions; and in that space, we can step away from old definitions, suspend assumptions that hold us in safe certainty, and shift the opinions, realities, and world we’ve constructed. Then, a new realm of possibilities emerges. 

In preparation for the International Plavac Mali Day article and with a malleable mind, I traveled to Pelješac with the intention to reassess some examples of “traditional Plavac Mali”. These wines are generally defined by their full body, astringent and big tannins, high alcohol, oxidized flavors, and complex flavor profiles. This style of wine has never been one that I fancy. In fact, I can often be heard – sometimes to the annoyance of my companions – saying that a wine is “overripe” or “too oxidized”. But in the spirit of making myself wrong and creating new definitions and preferences, I was ready to revisit some of these wines and taste new ones that belong to this style.

The adventure brought me to Peninsula Wine Bar, where I tasted the basic, fresh-style Plavac Mali and full-bodied, aged Plavac Mali (from the Dingač appellation) of Croatian wine producer Boris M. Violić for the first time. Both wines were my favorite in their own category, based on that day’s lineup.

Boris M. Violić Dingač 2018

While Boris M. Violić Plavac Mali 2019 is packed in an unsurprising 14%-alcohol frame, the bigger sibling Dingač 2018 delivers at an intimidating 16.5% level. That said, my trepidation quickly dissipates after the first sniff. Boris M. Violić Dingač 2018 has a bouquet that enchants with notes of clove, black pepper, smoked bacon, goji berry, black cherry, blueberry, plum, leather, and lily of the valley. It’s spicy, gamy, empyreumatic, fruity, and floral. It shows no sign of overripeness, no overly oxidative quality, no compote aroma, no raisin taste, and no sotolon-induced overbearing thingamajig. (However, the wine did evolve into that profile on the following day.) The ripe tannins appear right on the front palate but quickly taper down and hang on gently till the end-palate – adding an assertive shape and a final gripe to the wine. A harmonious wine, a charming companion for an evening. I’d love to see how it fares next to some Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Sometimes, it takes a good wine to help us venture beyond existing realities. Traditional Plavac Mali, I’ll drink to that.

Notes: Excellent quality-price ratio; decant for about two hours; ready-to-drink wine, additional cellar aging is not essential.

Score: 92/100

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Do You Want To Try Croatian Wines?

If you’re looking to savor the exquisite flavor of Plavac Mali wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With an abundance of options from renowned winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases!

The post The Dingač Wine of Boris M. Violić appeared first on Wine Travel.

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In celebration of International Plavac Mali Day, Charine Tan, co-author of the award-winning wine travel guidebook “Cracking Croatian Wine”, creates a buying guide to help you navigate the exciting world of Croatia’s flagship red wine. To learn more about International Plavac Mali Day, follow its Facebook page.

A Mediterranean Temperament

Driving through the Sveti Rok Tunnel that transverses the Velebit mountains, the temperature shoots from 18 to 24 degrees Celsius, and shards of Mediterranean sunshine penetrate through the car’s window. 

My travel companion sneezes. “Must be the propuh,” he says, attributing the sudden burst of air expelled from his lungs through his nose and mouth to the indoor draft – as “propuh” is loosely defined. More precisely, propuh is a nefarious force of nature that accounts for all kinds of ailments in Dalmatia, Croatia.

In a way, the belief in propuh is emblematic of the stereotypical Dalmatian attitude: respect the traditions – and sometimes superstitions – and being charismatically opinionated about everything. Just as how propuh aficionadoes might say that all your headache, sore throat, neckache, and flu are effects of propuh, many Dalmatians would adamantly believe that their grandparents made the best wine; and the best place to grow Plavac Mali, Croatia’s flagship red wine grape, is Dingač – the first wine appellation in Croatia. 

Only Plavac Mali is permitted to grow on the precipitous south-facing slopes in the Dingač wine appellation.

Plavac Mali means “little blue”, which refers to the small, round, and blue grapes of Dalmatia’s most widely planted vines that flourish in extremely harsh, rocky, and dry conditions. Vintners often describe Plavac Mali as “crazy Plavac” that needs to be “tamed”. In maturity, its relatively dense cluster ripens unevenly – offering green berries, red berries, a handful of perfect berries with ideal phenolic ripeness, and raisins all in one bunch. When such bunches with varied ripeness are vinified, the finished wine tends to reflect different phenolic maturity levels, showing underlying greenness amid the sweet veneer – which can be uniquely complex or hopelessly unbalanced.

One does not need to be a cognoscente to know Plavac Mali is a valued grape variety. “Plavac Mali is so stable and dominant on domestic wine lists. It often occupies half of the red wine menu,” says Saša Spiranec, Croatia’s leading wine journalist. With its sun-drenched temperament, Plavac Mali famously delivers an array of Mediterranean flavors redolent of garrigue and ripe fruit, coupled with a propensity to live a long life.

Plavac Mali clusters showing uneven ripening.

Taking the Temperature

My first foray into Croatian wine was in 2016, during the salad days of my wine career. I wanted to write a travel guide for independent wine travelers and had initially planned to publish a wine travel guidebook encompassing all the ex-Yugoslavian countries. In the end, Croatia convinced my co-author and me that it deserves a stage of its own. 

Plavac Mali was my favorite Croatian wine right from the start, even though it could be head-scratching how a $40 Plavac Mali was frequently no better than a $20 one. Most of the higher-priced Plavac Mali came from the Dingač and Postup wine appellations. Those wines tended to be riper than average, offering richness as well as elevated alcohol levels – all of which reflected Dalmatia’s prevailing dry and warm conditions. The heat muted some of the buoyant fragrance of Plavac Mali; and most producers were dismissive of the variety’s elegance and terpene-related aromas, favoring instead compote and dried fruit flavors and volume to fill the palate before the wine finished with a firm clench from astringent tannins. Additionally, some winemakers see oxidation during aging as an asset that brings complex flavors and smooth texture. However, when such oxidation is done on extremely ripe grapes, topped with sloppy cellar work, the result is often a wine that is Port-like in intensity, soupy, and acetaldehyde-dominant.

But times are changing: with heightening demand from summer tourism, plus a growing number of producers and consumers preferring drinkability and fresher red fruit flavors to robustness and elusive longevity, a number of alluring new wines have sprung up alongside the tried-and-tested traditions. 

Such is the case happening in Komarna, Croatia’s first wholly organic and youngest wine region. This wine region is planted on the substrate of meliorated karst which, combined with judicious applications of new viticultural methods, is believed to coax higher acidity, more fresh-fruit flavors, and immediate approachability out of Plavac Mali. The Komarna region has quietly challenged the traditional element often found in the Pelješac wine region, including Dingač and Postup, and highlighting the cardinal rule that a grape variety can express different facets yet can be equally good, honest, and absolutely delicious – irrespective of philosophy and tradition.

“There are countless vineyards in Croatia, each with its own character, that reflect the various terrains, and the region of Dalmatia is certainly one of our jewels,” says Ina Rodin, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Office, North America.

The Komarna wine-growing area received its official designation in 2013.

A Buying Guide: How to Shop for the Best Plavac Mali Wine

Today, many producers are taking a serious interest in refining their practices, studying terroir, and creating Plavac Mali that can compete on the world stage. With its rich fruit and grippy tannins that require taming or long-term cellaring, a handful of producers are releasing well-aged Plavac Mali; that means many vintages of Plavac Mali are available in the market at a given time. This gives wine lovers the opportunity to drink mature wines immediately, often at fair prices. There is remarkable value to be found in Plavac Mali and curious consumers reading this article are in for a real treat.

Note: Here I broach my tastings by price; prices are in USD. The wine selection is based on the portfolio of Wine&more; all featured wines are available in the USA through them. If you would like to purchase these wines in the EU, please also visit Wine&more; use the discount code EWT&W&MVID to get 10% off your purchase.

Check out their wine cases:

• Best of Dingač,
• Selection of Plavac Mali. 

Saints Hills, Black (Dingač and Komarna) – $22.15

Saints Hills Black is a blend of grapes from two estate vineyards in Croatia’s youngest and oldest appellations. The grapes at Dingač are generally harvested about a week earlier than Komarna, as Dingač is warmer than windy Komarna. Its 13% alcohol is notably low for Plavac Mali. Penetrating sweet spice and fruity aromas are accompanied by a hint of rose. The tannins are firm and sweet, stretching the finish along with flavors of cinnamon brown sugar and strawberry jam. This fleshy Plavac Mali would appeal to wine lovers that appreciate New World’s fruit-forwardness and Old World’s nuanced complexity. Pair this with Dalmatinska Pašticada for a complete foodie experience.

Volarević, Plavac Mali Syrtis (Komarna) – $23.63

Winemaker Josip Volarević dedicated his PhD thesis to the subject of Plavac Mali and is known to bring an analytical approach to winemaking. Volarevic Plavac Mali Syrtis walks a fine line between being rosy floral and a tad too aldehydic. The lush palate displays sweet, ripe tannins and a maraschino-cherry core. A wine that opens up my appetite and makes me crave a juicy burger or a hearty goulash. Quite an understated wine that will likely shine further with age or accompanied by food. For people who enjoy Valpolicella Classico, this is an alternative.

Terra Madre, Plavac Mali Premium (Komarna) – $25.61

The spicy bouquet pulls me closer to the glass with a display of peppery florals and cherry jam. Terra Madre Plavac Mali Premium washes across the palate with silkiness wrapped around a mid-palate tannic tug. The tannins here are more astringent, but they are rather refreshing. This is delightfully elegant and sinewy for a Plavac Mali. The tech sheet says it has 5.7g/l total acidity and 3.52 pH, which are exceptionally healthy numbers for this variety. Plavac Mali from Pelješac is usually in the < 5g/l and >3.7 pH range. Great value; good for those who like medium-bodied Sangiovese-esque wine with a green, tannic kick.

Rizman, Plavac Mali Primus (Komarna) – $32.49

Established in 2006, Rizman is a pioneer of the Komarna appellation. Just like how the previous Stina’s wine marked a new level in this tasting, Rizman Plavac Mali Primus elevates the tasting to a new level again. It illustrates Rizman’s desire to move away from high alcohol, residual sugar, and overuse of oak, and move towards mesoclimate, fresh-fruit profile, and good buffering acidity. It shimmers with nascent energy, floral hints, and a spicy undertone, with a core held by red fruit and garrigue. There’s a harmonious balance between fruit and tannins, reflecting careful maceration and aging. This is a wine that will live well in the cellar for a few more years. I look forward to a cooler and more moderate vintage from Rizman. Negroamaro lovers would find familiarity in this wine.

Edivo, Plavac Mali (Pelješac) – $35

Edivo Plavac Mali is marked by mineral, spicy, and highly fruity notes, with a notable emphasis on spiciness. While plum jam is a hallmark of Plavac Mali, a variety of berries, notably red and black currants, are also present. The wine’s bouquet is rounded out with hints of cloves, cinnamon, sweet spices, cedar, and carob. I imagine it would go well with the Dalmatian octopus dish hobotnica ispod peke. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano drinkers can hop on the Mediterranean bandwagon with this wine.

Matuško, Dingač (Pelješac) – $39

Matuško Dingač delivers a charmingly fresh and sweet cherry core, enlivened by a minty edge and grippy tannins.  Matured in oak barrels, developing a dark ruby red color with purple hues that is both clear and vibrant. Its flavor is rich and rounded, with a harmonious blend of astringency and sweetness. It bears a slight resemblance to Vranec.

Stina, Plavac Mali Majstor (Brač) – $39

A juicy, fruity, gamy, woody, spicy, and spry wine delivering notes of clove, sage, wild berries, and barbecue meat. Stina, Plavac Mali Majstor a pleasurable and powerful mix, with a seductive empyreumatic facet that indicates judicious, expensive oak usage. Full-bodied with a fruit core that reaches out to every corner on the palate, along with small, sweet tannins. Most wine lovers should find charm in this Plavac Mali, notwithstanding the strong competition at this price point in the USA.

Grgić, Plavac Mali (Pelješac) – $44.31

Grgić Winery was established by legendary Napa Valley winemaker: Croatian-born Mike Grgich. Grgić Plavac Mali clocks in at 16% alcohol and delivers the ultimate extroverted and savory style. My first impression is, “This smells like some kind of double-boiled herbal chicken soup.” An intense display of licorice, woodsmoke, cherry, fig, blackcurrant, and blueberry takes on further depth as balsamic spices evolve in the glass. This is long and penetrating, tapering off to the note of bitter chocolate, plus warmth. It does well with dry-aged beef, especially Txuleton. Aglianico fans, this is for you. Note: decanting is recommended.

Volarević, Plavac Mali Syrtis Gold Edition (Komarna) – $47.27

I cannot wait to see what more Volarević can conjure from the propitious Komarna vineyards. Volarević Plavac Mali Syrtis Gold Edition is significantly more intense and structured than the entry-level Volarević’s Plavac Mali. It is airy and sweetly scented, presenting an understated display of florals and nuances of forest berries. It tapers off clean and classically dry, packed full of character and primary concentration. I imagine this Plavac Mali can mature into a plush, candied fruit-driven, and marginally savory red. Pair it with the classic Neretva Delta dish eel and frog brudet and your evening would be wildly sumptuous. For people who like opulent yet beautifully controlled wine, this is a must-try.

Korta Katarina, Plavac Mali (Pelješac) – $49

Korta Katarina Plavac Mali is lively, almost opaque in color. It exudes balance, elegance, and smoothness, making it a highly enjoyable wine. This Plavac showcases ripe, dried, and stewed fruits, as well as Mediterranean herbs and spices. I find this intriguing and would love to revisit it in a few years. For people who appreciate full-bodied Old World Grenache, this is a fun alternative. Note: decanting or even aging is recommended.

Saints Hills, Dingač (Dingač) – $50

I am a firm believer and lover of Plavac Mali. However, sometimes, even the best producers make me shake my head in disappointment, and at others, I’ve stared in awe at a glass of Plavac Mali. This delivers the latter. Notes of dried red fruit, leather, carob, walnut, iodine, anchovy, rose petal, and savory meat rub. The flavors saturate the palate from the start to finish, held together by sweet and integrated tannins. For those who enjoy a well-aged wine with a balanced mix of primary persistence and tertiary complexity, Saints Hills Dingač will delight. Also, keep the food away. This wine is quite a complete meal. Think dried fruit, umami, earthy, savory, and marine.

The finest selection of

Plavac Mali wines

available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Croatian Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Croatian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

The post Plavac Mali: A Little Blue Goes A Long Way appeared first on Wine Travel.

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Back in the Spring of 2018, we set out on a re-tour of Croatia to bring our book Cracking Croatian Wine: A Visitor Friendly-Guide to life. We originally shot 13 episodes. With the onset of COVID in 2020, we found ourselves ‘stuck’ in Croatia, which gave us a chance to reboot the series. Here is the sixth episode about Dalmatia ‘Cracking Croatian Wine: Komarna Wine Region’.

Komarna: The Newest Croatian Wine Region

Komarna is the newest wine region in Croatia and is an entirely certified organic region. This seaside region in Southern Dalmatia is planted mostly with Plavac Mali and Pošip. It’s a compact area with 90 Hectares (222 acres) under the vine.

Komarna gives way to spectacular views of the deep blue Adriatic Sea and the nearby Pelješac Peninsula. There are seven winegrowers in this small region. Because it’s a brand new region, the producers of Komarna are modern with well-equipped cellars. The wines are already impressive and should improve ass the vineyards get older and as the producers gain more experience with the land. Join us and meet the pioneers of Komarna in the latest episode of Cracking Croatian Wine.

Watch “Cracking Croatian Wine: Komarna Wine Region” on Exotic Wine Travel YouTube:

Timestamps: Cracking Croatian Wine: Komarna Wine Region

(0:00) Learn about Komarna and why it’s a region to keep your eye on.

(0:22) Take a road trip with us to Gradac. This scenic, beach town in Southern Dalmatia is only a 30-minute drive from Komarna and served as our base for this video. We stayed at the scenic Villa Lavanda.

Book a stay at the seaside Villa Lavanda: https://www.vrbo.com/717519

 

(1:09) Optima Rent-a-Car set us up with our transportation. Jump in the car as we head to Komarna.

(1:33) Taste with us at Rizman. This is the pioneering winery of Komarna. Their cellar has a sweeping view of the Adriatic Sea and serves food to pair with their excellent wines made from Pošip, Plavac Mali, Tribidrag (Zinfandel), and Syrah.

(3:51) The distinctive Neretva Valley and Ušče Neretve are can’t miss sights. They are an oasis of green in bone-dry Dalmatia. The latter is a world-class windsurfing destination.

(4:16) Join us at another winery visit. Terra Madre is a new producer that was founded by three families, who together own a nearby agricultural products company.

(6:05) Learn how to make a homemade fish Peka. This is a traditional Dalmatian dish cooked under a ceramic bell and hot coals. If you don’t have all that equipment or an outdoor barbeque, you can just use an oven.

(6:43) Meet our friend, Master of Wine Jo Ahearn. She is the proprietor and winemaker at Ahearne Vino. Jo makes exciting wines from local grapes on the nearby island of Hvar.

(7:43) Come with us to taste wines at Vina Deak. The Deak family owns a number of accommodation options geared towards tourists. In recent years, they’ve started a winery. Their olive oil is also a can’t miss.

(9:38) Take a vineyard stroll with us and Antonija of Saints Hills Winery. This winery is aided by superstar wine consultant Michel Rolland. The winery is located on the nearby Pelješac Peninsula but Saints Hills does have a small plot in Komarna.

(11:24) We put two Plavac Malis to the test. The Saints Hills, Dingač vs the Saints Hills, Sv. Roko before catching some sea and sun.

(12:33) Come with us and our local friend Martina on a visit to Volarević Winery. This brand is spearheaded by Josip Volarević who is working on his Ph.D. thesis on Plavac Mali.

(14:05) Have dinner with us as we indulge in the local specialties. Fried frog legs with onions and brodeto, a stew also made with frog legs.

(15:13) Experience a night harvest with us. We help out in harvesting Pošip at Rizman Winery. Harvesting white wine grapes at night help retain acidity and aromas in the grapes, thus making the wine more delicious.

Komarna Wine Recommendations:

• • Rizman, Pošip 

The Rizman, Pošip is good in every vintage but this may be the best I’ve tasted. The wine has notes of dried pineapple, white flower, rock, and garrigue. The fruit feels a bit overripe on the nose but the palate brings it back. There’s a good blend of fruit and mineral notes here. The acidity is crisp. For a fresh white, this is full-bodied and generous. Good length. Score: 91/100

*I also highly recommend the barrel-fermented Pošip from this producer known as Rizman, ‘Nonno’ Pošip.

• • Rizman, Primus Plavac Mali 

Rizman really nailed it with their Primus Plavac Mali. It’s full-bodied Mediterranean red but one with some finesse. Notes of strawberry, rose, baked raspberry, and garrigue. Very good use of wood, it’s integrated perfectly. The tannin management here is also fantastic, they aren’t hard and biting but do add some chewiness. This wine should age very well in the medium term. Score: 90/100

• • Saints Hills, Sv. Roko 

This is another successful vintage of the Saints Hills, Sv. Roko. This is consistently my favorite wine in their portfolio. Made with Plavac Mali from Komarna region. Strawberry, cherry, cedar, garrigue. Full-bodied and Mediterranean in style. Firm yet ripe tannins. More Nebbiolo-style of Plavac Mali. Score: 90/100

• • Saints Hills, Dingač 

Ok, so this wine isn’t from Komarna but it’s worth noting. The Saints Hills, Dingač is the big brother to the Sv. Roko. It’s my favorite vintage of this wine. It’s richer and fuller than the Sv. Roko. Notes of cherry, red plum, rose petal, and cedar. Full-bodied and intense, this is Plavac Mali done right. There’s plenty of fruit upfront with small, biting tannins on the backend. Long finish. Score: 93/100

• • Vina Deak, Ćaća Moj Pošip 

The Vina Deak, Ćaća Moj Pošip is an encouraging wine from this young producer. It really has the feel of a Southern Rhône (France) white. Notes of white peach, crushed rocks, basil, and pomelo dominate the palate. This is mouth-filling and has a little zip thanks to the acidity. It will be great with mussels and oysters. Score: 89/100

• • Terra Madre, Plavac Mali Premium 

This was one of the biggest revelations of the visits for me.  I’ve been hard on this winery in the past but the 2016 Terra Madre, Plavac Mali Premium is beautiful. Notes of strawberry, rose petal, tar, and thyme. It is a delicate Plavac Mali that acts a lot like a Nebbiolo. Fruity, floral, complex with some firm tannins on the backend. This is by far Terra Madre’s best wine, really acting like a Nebbiolo d’Alba. Score: 90+/100

• • Volarević, ‘Syrtis’ Pošip 

The Volarević, Pošip Syrtis is explosive with a nose of tropical fruit, Greek yogurt, green guava, and green mango. It’s like a medley of a tropical fruit salad with some crushed rocks on top. The palate has laser-like focus. There’s a lot to like here. It has a sweet fruit finish. There might be a touch of residual sugar here but that softens the palate. Score: 90/100

• • Volarević, Plavac Mali Gold Edition 

The Volarević, Plavac Mali Gold Edition is the ripest and beefiest Plavac Mali in this lineup. At 15% abv, this is big Plavac Mali done well. Notes of cherry, rose petal, and cigar ash. Full-bodied with generous fruit and some serious structure thanks to the small tannins. Fun to drink now and will unfurl further with some time in the cellar. Score: 90/100

The finest selection of

Pošip and Plavac Mali wines

available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Croatian Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Croatian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com and explore the incredible selection of delicious wines! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Cracking Croatian Wine: Komarna Wine Recommendations appeared first on Wine Travel.

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Today is a sad day for the wine world…

The man, the myth, the legend Steven Spurrier has left us. He’s a long-time merchant, wine writer, educator, and subject of a Hollywood film. His ‘Judgement of Paris’ tasting in 1976 put Californian wine on the map.

It’s no secret that I’m not fond of how myself (and other young people in the wine media) are treated by some of the old guards. Mr. Spurrier was the complete opposite of that. I’ve met him around the wine world on several occasions and he was always polite and the consummate gentleman. Never once did he talk down to me or carry an air of superiority or arrogance.

Thank You, Steven Spurrier

Mr. Steven Spurrier is responsible for two of the most memorable moments in my young wine career.

Back in 2018, we received fellowships to The Symposium for Professional Wine Writers in Napa Valley. Mr. Spurrier was the keynote speaker and guest of the event. During the first evening, the Symposium showed short videos of every person who received a fellowship. One by one, the videos played in front of the crowd.

Instead of a sterile talking head video, I put together an Exotic Wine Travel highlight reel (below) complete with music. In a dimly-lit ballroom, as the video ended Mr. Spurrier turned to us and gave a big thumbs up, complete with a smile. It’s something that I still think about often.

Later that week, Mr. Spurrier hosted a tasting in which he ‘re-created’ the Judgement of Paris with the Cabernet Sauvignons from Napa that he chose back in 1976. It was a tasting of wines both young and old. The prices of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon are through the roof and old vintages from well-known producers are hard to come by. Add this to the caliber of people in the crowd made it the most memorable tasting I’ve been a part of.

The Definition Of A Pro

I met Steven Spurrier again at the Premiere Napa Valley Auction and was blown away by how he carried himself. The morning before the auction, the Vintners of Napa hosted a tasting at the Robert Mondavi Winery. The first tasting on the agenda was a vintage retrospective, a tasting of 2014, 2015, and 2016 Cabernet Sauvignons from 80 different producers.

Mr. Spurrier methodically went through every sample, tasting and writing down notes while answering questions from others in the crowd. I consider my tasting stamina to be high but the tannins from those young Cabernets started to get to me. It was the first time I experienced palate fatigue. Steven never wanted, he tasted through all the samples without breaking a sweat.

 

Later that year, we met him again at the 2018 Vinistra show in Istria, Croatia. We got the chance to attend another of his tastings and sit down with him over dinner. He was nothing but kind and professional.

His legacy will live on in the wine world. His work can be seen in plenty of places more important than here. But it does warm my heart that he made a cameo on our YouTube channel (at 10:30 in the link below) RIP Mr. Spurrier, you will be missed.

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Do You Want To Try Croatian Wines?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of Croatian wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! With an abundance of options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

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Want To Learn More About Wine?  

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The post Farewell Mr. Steven Spurrier appeared first on Wine Travel.

Standing out amongst 140 local grapes is no small feat. That’s what makes the Croatian wine grape Pošip so exciting. Pošip (in addition to Grk) may be my favorite Croatian white grape. A recent blind tasting of Pošip further reinforced my belief in this Croatian variety.

Pošip: Croatian White Wine Grape

Pošip originates from the island of Korčula in Southern Dalmatia. This island happens to be my favorite wine island in Dalmatia. In the past, Korčula belonged to the Venetian empire and there’s even a legend that the explorer Marko Polo was born on the island.

Pošip thrives in several east-west valleys that run through the towns of Blato, Smokvica, and Čara. The ridges here create a mini-wind tunnel that helps regulate the Mediterranean temperatures during the summer. As of 2009, there were 450 hectares (1111 acres) of the grape planted – mostly on Korčula. That figure has surely gone up as producers have taken the variety outside of Korčula. You can now find Pošip on different islands and mainland Dalmatia.

Pošip is known for keeping good acidity levels while the sugar levels rise during the hot Dalmatian summer. This year, I took part in a Pošip night-harvest on Komarna (the mainland). That night-harvest took place in late-August. On the island of Korčula, the Pošip harvest often stretches into September.

At it’s best, Pošip is rich and minerally when made into a fresh white wine. Some people might find it similar to the whites of Southern Rhône. In the care of a good producer, it can also be barrel-aged or fermented into a Meursault-style. The wines are excellent with Dalmatian seafood.

A recent blind tasting of 59 Pošips showed the versatility of this grape. Here are my impressions and wines that scored 90 points or higher. Wines were tasted on Christmas Day 2020.

Pošip Impressions

The Good

• The quality of Pošip is very high and many wines scored in the high 80s.
• The quality continues to improve as producers take the grape more seriously throughout the years.
• These wines pair well with the local Dalmatian seafood.
• In the hands of a good producer, Pošip can take on oak.
• Producers on the mainland are starting to show that good Pošip can be produced outside of Korčula.
• The 2019 vintage was phenomenal for whites in Dalmatia and these wines are drinking great now.

The Bad

• The price of grapes in Dalmatia can be costly, so wines made from Pošip cost more than those made from Croatia’s other two signature white grapes, Malavazija & Graševina.
• Restaurant markups are notorious in Dalmatia thanks to the high volume of tourists. The high season is the summer, which bumps up the prices of Pošip even more.

Pošip Wine Recommendations:

Fresh Pošip

• Galić, Ego 2019

The Galić, Ego has bright tropical fruit, this smells like a pure, fresh wine. Notes of pineapple, flint, peach, and natural gas. There’s plenty of fruit and concentration here. It’s more explosive and has a nice interplay between fruit and acid. Good length with a little bottle development on the back end. Score: 90/100 

• Hvar Hills, Pošip 2019

The Hvar Hills Pošip has notes of pineapple, peach, vanilla, and flint. The wood adds some creaminess to the palate. The flavors are a bit disjointed at this point but there is structure here. Good length. This should be better in a few years and it’s big enough to handle pairing with chicken and pork. Score: 90/100

• PZ Pošip Čara, Pošip 2019

The PZ Pošip Čara, Pošip has plenty of lees contact. The yogurt flavors are accompanied by white peach, crushed limestone, and white grapefruit. This wine has a fine melody of citrus notes and seaside flavors, I can almost small the rocky beaches of Dalmatia. Zippy wine with length. Score: 90/100

• Skaramuča, Pošip 2019

Skaramuča consistently puts out high-value for money wines. No small feat in Dalmatia. There are plenty of mineral notes that come out first with this wine. Slate, flint, and crushed rocks accompany the white apricot and pineapple fruit. Complex for a fresh wine. Palate follow up the nose with a great interplay of fruit, minerals, and acidity. Lemony acidity stretches out the finish. Score: 90+/100

• Skaramuča, Pošip Elegance 2019

The Skaramuča, Pošip Elegance has notes of apricot, dried pineapple, vanilla, and a touch of thyme. There’s a lot here to look for a fresh white wine. It’s on the lighter style for Pošip but done well. Bright acidity and a lemony finish. There’s a touch of bottle development on the finish, which is enjoyable for me. Score: 90/100 

• Testament, Pošip 2019

Testament is a new producer that’s making waves in the country. The Testament, Pošip has notes of thyme, apricot, quince, and pear. This is a pleasant Pošip. It’s not angular and there’s plenty of balance. Tangy finish that gives a hint of wood. Mouth coating fruit. Not as tropical as the other Pošips. There’s almost a French-like refinement. Score: 90/100 

• Rizman, Pošip 2019

This wine is good in every vintage. The Rizman, Pošip has notes of dried pineapple, white flower, rock, and garrigue. The fruit feels a bit overripe on the nose but the palate brings it back. There’s a good blend of fruit and mineral notes here. The acidity is crisp. For a fresh white, this is full-bodied and generous. Good length. Score: 91/100

• Volarević, Pošip Syrtis 2019

The Volarević, Pošip Syrtis is explosive with a nose of tropical fruit, Greek yogurt, green guava, and green mango. It’s like a medley of a tropical fruit salad with some crushed rocks on top. The palate has laser-like focus. There’s a lot to like here. It has a sweet fruit finish. There might be a touch of residual sugar here but that softens the palate. Score: 90/100

• Saints Hills, Posh 2019

The Saints Hills, Posh has an elegance to it. This smells like a Pošip from a cooler climate. Notes of grapefruit, quince, Asian pear, and flint. There’s a rush of acidity here, almost Riesling-esque. The lemony acidity doesn’t detract from the mineral notes. Good length. This is a shellfish wine. Score: 90/100

• Krolo, Pošip 2018

Krolo is a small producer on the mainland. This Pošip has pineapple, natural gas flavors, white peach. It’s still a wine that’s really fresh. It has bracing acidity which washes the palate clean. Intense fruit and saltiness. Lengthy finish. Really well done. This is for Riesling nuts. Score: 90/100 

Barrel-Aged Pošip

• Rizman, Nonno 2019

The Rizman, Nonno is one of my favorite Dalmatian whites and I was thrilled to see that it showed well in this blind tasting. Impressive and bright nose. White flower, pineapple, gunmetal flint, and nectarine. The palate is round and creamy (perhaps some oak aging). The mouthfeel never feels flabby thanks to the acidity. There’s a hint of complexity on the backend here. Long finish. Score: 91+/100 

• Hvar Hills, Pošip Kuš 2019

The Hvar Hills, Pošip Kuš is a beefier white, the oak stands out on the nose. Notes of pineapple, peach, vanilla, and flint. The wood adds some creaminess to the palate. The flavors are a bit disjointed at this point but there is structure here. Good length. This should be better in a few years and it’s big enough to handle pairing with chicken and pork. Score: 90/100

• Ahearne Vino, Pošip 2018

Jo Ahearne is a Master of Wine producing small batches of wine on Hvar and Korčula. This shows some bottle age, which is a great thing. Notes of white peach, lime, vanilla, and slate. There’s a touch of wood treatment here but it doesn’t stand out. The wine is developed on the palate but not intense. I’d like a little more length but this is ready to drink now. Score: 91/100

• Korta Katarina, Pošip 2018

The Korta Katarina, Pošip is good in every vintage. This wine has a little wood with dried pineapple, seawater, dried peach, and a touch of vanilla. This is a full-bodied white wine. On the palate, the fruit is more dried but there are intensity and saltiness on the backend. Good finish. Score: 90/100 

• Senjković, Tristeca 2018

The Senjković, Tristeca was a pleasant surprise. There’s plenty of waxiness here from the oak treatment. Notes of dried peach, lemon peel, bacon fat, and lemon peel. It’s full and round on the palate. It may be a little oaky now but this wine has a future to age. The fruit is good and acidity is moderate. A medley of sweet oak and yellow fruits on the finish. Score: 90+/100

• Milina, Pošip Grandeca 2018

The Milina, Pošip Grandeca shows wood but it’s handled well. Banana, dried pineapple, dried peach, and vanilla. It’s a bit oaky now but there is good fruit underneath. Full-bodied and rich, there’s plenty of fruit to back everything up. This could be good with time in the bottle. Put this aside for a few years Score: 90/100

• Matela, Pošip Sur Lie 2016

This wine completely shocked me once it was revealed. The Matela, Pošip Sur Lie is an intense, barrel-aged white. Notes of yellow peach, almond, yogurt, and orange rind. The wood is handled really well here because the fruit is so intense. Bright acidity and the ability to age even further. This is Pošip made in a dare I say, Burgundian way. Score: 92/100

• Krajančič, 1214 Statut 2016

Kranjančič is considered to be the godfather of modern Pošip and it was good to see all of his wines show well. The 1214 Statut is barrel fermented with notes of banana, sweet peach, pineapple, and a touch of oak. This wine has masterful oak integration. There intense stone fruit upfront. The barrel quality is great here. There’s enough wood with stone fruit notes and a long finish. Good bite. Meursault in style. Score: 92/100

• Krajančič, Pošip II Macerirano 2016

The Krajančič, Pošip II Macerirano is an orange wine with notes of fall leaves, apricot, dried peaches, and dried lemon peel. It’s an orange wine but there’s harmony here. Ripe tannins and good length. The acidity stays fresh. Score: 90/100 

Sweet Pošip

• Krajančič, Opera

The Krajančič, Opera is a brilliant dessert wine that is golden in color. Notes of caramel, butterscotch, dried apricot, and sweet cream. There’s a brilliant candied orange flavor to this with a touch of pumpkin spice. It’s rich but never feels flabby thanks to the vibrant acidity. A take on Pošip that isn’t often seen. Spicy and complex on the back end. Score: 94/100

The finest selection of

Pošip wines available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Croatian Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Croatian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

Thank you to Vinart for inviting me to the tasitng and providing bottle shots. The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Pošip: A Croatian Wine Star appeared first on Wine Travel.