Grape Spotlight: Žilavka of Medjugorje

The Mediterranean climate that attracts viticulture in Croatia's coastal regions do not end at the Adriatic but extend into Herzegovina -- the southern region within Bosnia-Herzegovina. Grapes have been cultivated in this region for at least a millennium, with vineyards planted in limestone soils from the coast to the city of Mostar. Žilavka is the predominant white grape that flourishes even during drought conditions.

St. James Cathedral

The grape is noted for its abundant acidity and sugar concentration providing the potential for high alcohol levels, two traits that influence its use in brandy distilling. As a single varietal wine, Žilavka provides an interesting nutty, sometimes pine-ish, character. Wineries often enhance the body with barrique oak aging, which doesn't dissuade from the nutty aspect of the wine. We found a couple of these styles in Mostar, but our most memorable was an unoaked version from a store in Medjugorje - the famous pilgrimage site.  The bottle was purchased from a market near St. James Cathedral and the clerk told us it was his family's label - translated "Homemade dry white wine".  The wine was dry, only 12% alcohol, and greenish with noticeable pine notes - made me think of Vermentino.  Looking forward to our next visit. Cheers.

Grape Spotlight: Croatian Tribidrag (Crljenak Kaštelanski, Pribidrag, Kratošija) aka Zinfandel

"When I came to America in August 1958, I saw vineyards around Chateau Souverain and I was interested to know which grapes were grown there. They told me Cabernet Franc from France and Zinfandel, but no-one knows where those grapes came from.  .... These Zinfandel grapes reminded me of the Plavic Mali grapes from my homeland in Croatia. ... I contacted Dr. Carole Meredith to tell her that I believed Zinfandel, Italian Primitivo, and Croatian Plavic Mali were the same grape. "  Miljenko "Mike" Grgich addressing the First International Conference on the Tribidrag Variety

Grgich's instincts were close. The idea that California Zinfandel was equivalent to Italian Primitivo was also proposed by UC Davis professor Austin Goheen and Wade Wolfe in the 1960s. Goheen visually inspected Primitivo from Puglia (Southern Italy) and considered them identical whereas Wolfe used isozyme analysis to strengthen that hypothesis. But it wasn't until 1995, after three years of DNA analysis, when Dr. Carole Meredith, Professor at UC Davis, concluded that Zinfandel and Primitivo were, in fact, the same grape variety.

Courtesy of Rizman Winery

Based on Grgich's recommendation, Dr. Meredith then traveled to Croatia in 1998 and,  working with Dr. Edi Maletić and Dr. Ivan Pejić, collected 150 Plavic Mali samples. Returning to UC Davis for testing the results were negative, close, but not identical. Dr. Meredith concluded that either Zinfandel or Plavic Mali was the parent of the other but couldn't determine the parental direction. Dr. Maletić and Dr. Pejić continued the search in Dalmatia, often walking row after row in small family vineyards. Eventually, they sent Dr. Meredith samples of an obscure variety called Crljenak Kastelanski that they had collected near Kastel. Actually two sets of samples with the second being an exact match. And more research showed that Plavic Mali was the offspring. Fortunately for our pronunciation, the Crljenak Kastelanski grape was also called Tribidrag and the oldest name used in Croatian literature dated to the 15th century. Thus Croatia is the ancient homeland for California Zinfandel. (One and the same? – Zinfandel, Primitivo, Crljenak Kaštelanski and Kratošija)

Well, not so fast my friend. Croatia's southern neighbor Montenegro claims that distinction based on the Montenegrin autochthonous grape Kratosija which is genetically identical to Tribidrag. Montenegrin wine enthusiast Vlado Nikaljević presents an intriguing argument that the grapes provided to the Vienna World Fair that eventually became the foundation for California Zinfandel came from Montenegro and "Venetian archives show that the Statute of the Venetian Budva mentions Kratošija 60 years before the Tribidrag references". (Montenegro - the True Homeland of Zinfandel)

Thus, Zinfandel's homeland is - to be continued....

In the meantime, a second wave has taken Croatian Tribidrag to California. Ridge Vineyards, among other California wineries,  planted Croatian selections in their Lytton Springs vineyard. They will label wine from these grapes Croatian Zinfandel since the TTB doesn’t recognize Zinfandel and Tribidrag as synonyms. Expect an update on these wines soon.

This evening I just finished sipping a Dalmatian made Croatian Tribidrag - the 2016 Rizman Winery Tribidrag ($45) - available for purchase through Croatian Premium Wine Imports. The wine includes 15% Tempranillo and is sourced from the winery's organic vineyards in the Komarna winegrowing area between Split and Dubrovnik. The south-facing slopes are steep and comprised of limestone soils. The result is a chalky old world styled wine with linear fruit, approachable and chewy tannins, and lengthy acids.
The Ridge Lytton Springs Tribidrag apparently has a similar structure -- particularly the strong acidity.

During this CV pandemic, Croatian Premium Wine Imports is conducting weekly Wednesday night virtual chats and this Rizman is the focus on the chat for tomorrow April 15th. (Funny when I wrote that final date, I immediately panicked about my taxes.)  Hope to see you online at 8pm ET. Cheers.

St. Martin of Tours, Croatia, & Komarna Wine

On the days preceding and subsequent to Monday, November 11th, Europeans and Catholics celebrated the Feast of St Martin -- in honor of the patron of the poor, soldiers, conscientious objectors, tailors, and winemakers. One of these celebrations occurred at the Embassy of Croatia in Washington D.C. where Croatian Premium Wine Imports poured several wines from the newly designated Komarna appellation to honor St. Martinje.

Saint Martin of Tours was born in Pannonia (present-day Hungary) in either the year 316 or 336 AD.  His father was a high-ranking officer in the Imperial Horse Guard and a pagan, but at the age of 10, Martin converted to Christianity as the gospel expanded throughout the Roman empire.  Roman law required full participation in military affairs so, at the age of 15, Martin followed his father into the cavalry corps were tradition claims he served in Gaul, Milan, and Trier (Treves).

Courtesy of Catholic Online

His inspirational moment occurred while still young when he encountered a beggar in Amiens, France. The beggar was practically naked and freezing so Martin cut his cloak in half with his sword and gave one piece to the beggar and retained the other half for himself. That night, Martin had a vision in which Christ appeared to him and said: "Martin, a mere catechumen has clothed me.". A catechumen is one who undergoing the long process of instruction in the Christian faith but Martin was well aware of Matthew 25:45.

Afterward, Martin made clear to his superiors that he would no longer fight because of his Christian conscience. He refused his military pay and announced he would not join in future combat, thus becoming the first recognized conscientious objector in recorded history. He was accused of cowardice but Martin countered that to prove his sincerity he would ride into battle unarmed.  Fortunately, a truce was signed shortly before an upcoming battle and Martin was subsequently released from military service.

Courtesy of Catholic Online

He traveled to Tours where he began studying under an eventual doctor of the Church, Hilary of Poitiers. Over time he brought his Mother into the church and became a defender against the Arian heresy which denied the divinity of Jesus. He was forced to flee to an island in the Adriatic where he lived as a hermit for a while but eventually returned to Tours after the Council of Nicea. In 371, the faithful called Martin to the office of Bishop which he reluctantly accepted and served until his death in 397.

During his years as Bishop, Martin nurtured an immense love for wine and began blessing the beverage in order to make it more popular among laypeople. Throughout Europe, this tradition has continued with winemakers giving thanks to St. Martin for a good harvest. In Croatia, Martinje celebrates the day that must, or young wine matures into wine fit for drinking.  But before indulging the wine must first be baptized and turned into chaste wine, since must is considered impure.

At the Croatian Embassy, the community celebrated St. Martinje and the indulgence of Croatian wine though the Croatian Premium Wine Imports (CPWI). Their portfolio consists of wines from the Komarna winegrowing area where the vines were first planted in 2008 with a formal appellation designated in April 2013. The region is located in South Dalmatia between Split and Dubrovnik where the vines overlook the Adriatic Sea -- sometimes on 30-degree slopes. The grape varieties are primarily the indigenous Plavac Mali and Pošip with lesser amounts of international varieties Syrah, Chardonnay, Tempranillo, Cabernet, Viognier.

There are currently seven wineries in the Komarna appellation, and most unique, all seven are certified by the EU for organic production. This development was accelerated because the wineries starting near the same time and were able to leverage the same resources when surveying plots, planting the vineyards, and building out production and tasting room facilities. Economies of scale in action. Their youthfulness also allowed them to adopt the latest in technological advances pertaining to vineyard management and winemaking chemistry where even some laboratories are utilized by Croatian state wine officials.

During the St. Martinje Celebration, we sampled six wines from four of these winemakers: Saints Hills, Rizman, Volarević, and Terra Madre.  Starting with the later winery, the Terra Madre selection consisted of a Pošip 2018, Plavac Mali Rose 2018, and a Plavac Mali Premium 2015.  Besides being unique in offering a rose, this winery is known for adding a small percentage of international varieties into their indigenous wines. They added a little structure using Chardonnay with the Pošip and roundness using the Cabernet Sauvignon with the Plavac Mali. In fact, the four Plavac Mali were all completely distinct in style with the Rizman Plavac Mali 2016 being elegant with elevated fruit and the Volarevic Plavac Mali 2016 being complex with a fruit on the tongue and spices and tannins dominating the tail. Finally, the Volarevic Plavac Mali Gold 2013 is a bolder, full-bodied wine which consists of 30% raisined grapes and the wine aged 24 months in oak and four years in the bottle before release.  Think raisins and figs and structured tannins.

The CPWI online store will be available very soon and will be augmented with Croatian wines from Istria shortly. Cheers to St. Martinje.

Update: The Croatian Premium Wine Imports online store is now available.

Do You Know Your Croatian Grape Varieties?

I'm less familiar with Croatian grape varieties as I am with Hungarian, but this last trip to Hrvatska expanded my knowledge. Like Hungary, Croatia has a long wine tradition dating back to pre-Roman periods with many wins favored by nobility throughout Europe. Here is a subset of Croatian grape varieties to start your studies.

Crljenak Kaštelanski (Tribidrag) (r)
Crljenak Kaštelanski was an almost extinct Dalmatian grape varietal until DNA fingerprinting revealed that it was an exact DNA match to both Zinfandel and the Italian grape Primitivo. It was once the most dominant red grape in Dalmatia with written records reaching back to the 15th century but susceptibility to disease lead to its decline. Yet after the DNA match the grape is being replanted with the advantages of ripening early and needs less sun than its child Plavac Mali (plus produces less tannins). Try the Dubrovački Podrumi Crljenak Kaštelanski.

Plavac Mali (r)
Grown throughout Dalmatia as a replacement to the disease ridden Crljenak Kaštelanski and now the most important red wine grape in Croatia. Plavac means blue, and Mali means small but this offspring of Crljenak Kaštelanski and Dobričić packs a punch with cherry flavors, spice, and tannins. The high alcohol and acidity lead to solid aging potential as in the Plavac Mali wines from Miloš Winery.

Graševina (w)
Although not indigenous to Croatia, Graševina (Welschriesling, Olascsrizling in Hungary, and Laški Rizling in Slovenia) is the most widely planted wine grape - particularly in Slavonia where it thrives on cooler soils and a continental climate. It is intended to be consumed young and shows its popularity and the Croatian equivalent of boxed wine. However for those producers producing a deeper style, minerality replaces some of the fruity and flowery characters with the remaining crisp acidity. The Krauthaker Graševina Mitrovac was one we discovered. There's also the Adžić Winery Graševina available in the U.S.

Malvasia Istriana (w)
Malvazija (Malvasia in Italian) comes from the Istria peninsula and is known for creating intense wines that can be drunk young like a fresh Sauvignon Blanc or barrel aged for a more complex style. One of these with excellent minerality is the Piquentum Malvazija Blanc.

Debit (w)
Debit grows best in the central and north coast of Croatia and is characterized by golden yellow grapes that provide green apple flavors and abundant citric acidity. Try the Bibich Winery Debit

Pošip (w)
A popular grape coming from Dalmatia and associated with islands of Hvar and Korčula. These wines are flavorful, rich and textured with strong aromas and refreshing notes. Toreta Winery is a large producer of this grape.

Babić (r)
Babić are blue wine grapes grown mostly in Dalmatia. These are full bodied wines featuring dark berries, plums, and figs, as well as distinct spices. The Bibich R6 Riserva blend is a great example.

Bogdanuša (w)
This grape is native to the island of Hvar in Central Dalmatia, translates to “a godsend”, and is traditionally drunk during religious festivals. The Carić Vina is the only version of this wine exported to the U.S.

Dobričić (r)
This grape is from the island of Šolta (near Split) and with Crljenak Kaštelanski is the other parent of Plavac Mali. The grapes are extremely dark red and creates a purple wine -- sometimes called “the darkest wine of Dalmatia”. The grapes do not produce much sugar so varietal wines are low in alcohol as well as extremely low in acids. But be prepared for a tannic tail to create s bitter sour cherry finish. While visiting Šolta stop by Agroturizam Kaštelanac to taste different styles of Dobričić.

Vrbnička Žlahtina (w)
Vrbnička Žlahtina is mostly grown on the island of Krk, the largest of Croatia’s 1000+ islands, and benefits from colder climates. It produces light, refreshing white wines with floral and white fruit aromas. Try the Šipun Žlahtina.

Teran (r)
Up until a century ago, this grape was the most widely planted in Istria. In best of times the wine is "ruby-red, almost purple wine of a typical, fruity aroma that is easy to recognize, and has hints of berries and pepper, unusually high acidity and high tannins and not too high alcohol content: 12 – 13%". Good luck finding it outside of Istria since there is an EU dispute with Slovenia over naming rights.

Dingač (r)
Dingač is not a grape but a Plavac Mali wine produced in the Pelješac sub-region of the Middle and South Dalmatia wine growing region. Its included here because there can be some confusion on its definition.

Learning about Plavac Mali & Dingač Croatia during #winestudio

This past month I've been learning all about Croatian wine through the Monday night #winestudio Twitter series courtesy of Bill Eyer of The Cuvee Corner wine blog and Tina & Guy from Protocol Wine Studio. The wines were available for purchase through Protocol as well as Blue Danube Wine. The first three weeks focused on white wines (Sipun Zlahtina 2011 Blanc, Piquentum Malvasia 2011 Blanc, Daruvar Grasevina 2011 Blanc); but this week attention turned to reds and the famous Plavac Mali, from the Dingač area of the Pelješac peninsula.

Dingač is a small area of vineyards interspersed along the steep (45 degree) southern hillsides of Pelješac - itself located in southern Croatia on the Adriatic. The slopes are so steep, that only donkeys were able to transport the grapes over the mountains to the wineries and explains why the donkey label is a proud reminder of the Croatian winemaking tradition. Never mind that winemakers paid for a tunnel to be built though the 400 m mountain pass that now allows trucks transport grapes. The peninsula also provides intense sunlight, 2800 hours annually, which can lead to intense grapes and intense wines - 17.5% alcohol.  In 1961 Dingač became the first protected Croatian  wine area - and only wine sourced from the historic Dingač vineyard can be labelled Dingač. These wineries include Matuško, Vinarija Dingač, Bura-Mokalo, Miloš, Kiridžija, and Bartulović. As you can see, there are three meanings of Dingač, the area, the vineyard, plus a winery.

The Dingač area is shaded in orange

Dingač is also the home to Plavac Mali, which translates to the "Little Blue" grape. The oldest written mentions of Plavac Mali go back to 1821 and you can still find 100 year old vines bearing fruit. Plavac Mali is the offspring of Dobričić and Crljenak Kastelanski and through DNA analysis, researchers from UC Davis have determined that Crljenak Kastelanski is the same grape as California Zinfandel (as well as Italian Primitivo). Consequently, Plavac Mali shares some characteristics of Zinfandel, most commonly, that spicy finish.  The Dingac Plavac 2010 Red ($12.95) we sampled during #winestudio exuded blackberries - in the nose and flavor - followed by the anticipated spicy finish. Featuring the donkey label, this is a dependable everyday wine. 

Next week (5/13), #winestudio examines another historic Croatian red, the Babić grape, through the Bibich R6 Riserva 2009 Rouge. Cheers.

Winechat Transcript Discussing Eastern European Wines

For those who missed last night's #winechat or who had a difficult time following because of the server interruptions, here is a general outline of the conversation. Thanks again to Cliff Rames: Wines of Croatia - @WinesofCroatia and Erhard Heumann: Heumann Wines - @wine_h for participating.

• 997dave Tonight on #winechat /w @mariepayton & I...Wines of Eastern Europe /w guests @winecompass & @WinesofCroatia Gonna be fun!...
• wineTT Looking forward to opening some Georgian, Macedonian, Serbian and Bulgarian wine tonight for #winechat.
• winecompass Our #winechat wines @wine_h @WinesofBosnia @WinesofCroatia @WinesofBulgaria @WinesofHungary http://t.co/DnglSDs8
• hvwinegoddess My selection or #winechat. A Pinot Noir from Hungary. http://t.co/hcwh7C7I
• TylerOnWine Some good Croatian pre #winechat theory to get you started ~> http://t.co/MOZVxl7a . Join the discussion 2nite at 9pm
• 997dave tweetdeck has bee crapping out and performing poorly! Made the switch #winechat @StephenCaggiano @TylerOnWine
• WineHouseLA Here are our wines for tonight a red from Hungary and a white from Croatia #winechat http://t.co/3UrsEp6a
• vtwinemedia @trouty @DomaineSelect Quattro Mani Toh-Kai is one om my selections for #winechat tonight! And I know how good it is!
• WinesofCroatia Tonight's Twitter #winechat line-up. Starting in 5 minutes. Join us if you can! :) http://t.co/oXVXbzI8
• 997dave Welcome to #winechat /w @mariepayton & I... tonight...Wines of Eastern Europe /w guests @winecompass & @WinesofCroatia Please say hi
• WinesofCroatia @997dave @mariepayton @winecompass Cheers! or as they say in Croatia, "Zivjeli"! #winechat
• winecompass #winechat Grapes are grown in all areas of Hungary west of the Tiszla River, leaving only the dry Alfold plains in the east untouched
• winecompass Joining us tonight is Erhard Heumann (@wine_h) from Heumann Wines Hungary? Welcome Erhard - please tell us a...
• winecompass #winechat The Carpathian Mountains protect east Hungary from the cold winds which would otherwise blow in from Poland and western Ukraine.
• wineTT The Bull's Blood story is one of my favorite in all of winedom #winechat
• pja477 @WinesofCroatia it was really hard to find a bottle by me #winechat
• winecompass #winechat We are sipping the U & I Heumann Heimann Kekfrankos from Villany; a region known for Burgundy and Bordeaux styled wines
• winecompass #winechat The most famous Hungarian wines are the Tokaji Aszu made from furmint. “vinum regorum, rex vinorum” says King Louis XIV of France
• wine_h The U&I is a joint venture Kékfrankos from 2 wineries Heumann & Heimann. Won gold at the DWWA. #winechat
• WineHouseLA Oh, I just found a 1990 #Tokaji Aszu 6 Puttonyos, The color is like maple syrup. #winechat
• myvinespot First wine up for #winechat ... Enjingi Welschriesling Croatia 2009 ($15) http://t.co/a1W6oHzM
• hungarian_girl #winechat here's a article I wrote for Reuters about Tokaji wine if anyone is interested http://t.co/QoGWP4Fh
• WinesofCroatia @demilove @997dave // There are several labels in Chicago! Matosevic Malvazija; Tomic Plavac; Saints Hills Dingac to start. #winechat
• winecompass #winechat Slovakia also has a Tokaj region since that area was once part of Hungary
• mariepayton During the Renaissance, wines such as the Hungarian Tokaji became popular with royalty #winechat
• winecompass #winechat the eastern area of Slovakia and Hungary near Sopron - closest to Austria - grows a lot of Gruner and BlauFrankish
• TLColson Egri Bikaver Bulls Blood 2006 - Hungarian #winechat #easterneurope
• WinesofCroatia @myvinespot // Enjingi is an organic and practicing biodynamic producer from the Kutjevo sub-region of Slavonia. #winechat
• wine_h For somebody that has not yet tasted Kékfrankos I compare it with Sangiovese or Barbera. Fruity style. #winechat
• myvinespot Enjingi Welschriesling Croatia 09 ($15): Lychee, (slightly bitter) floral, citrus, damp earth, round mouth-feel, decent acidity #winechat
• mariepayton @WinesofCroatia’s Cliff Rames is known as the “Champion of Croatian wines” #winechat
• WinesofCroatia Croatia borders the Adriatic Sea to the west, Slovenia to north, Hungary to the northeast, & Montenegro to the south #winechat
• winecompass Croatia has two main wine regions: Continental (Kontinetalna) and Coastal (Primorska), which includes the islands. #winechat
• myvinespot Second wine tonight: Nyakas Budai Müller 2008 Thurgau ($14) #winechat http://t.co/WasOvIhE
• WinesofCroatia @myvinespot // In Croatia Welschriesling is known as Grasevina ("Grah-sheh-vee-na") #winechat
• mariepayton Croatia's frankovka is Hunagary's Kékfrankos and Austria's Blaufränkisch, right? #winechat
• winecompass RT @wine_h: @winecompass The Kékfrankos made in Villany is more powerful but elegant due to its fine fruity acidity. #winechat
• 997dave RT @mariepayton: Croatia's frankovka is Hunagary's Kékfrankos and Austria's Blaufränkisch, right? #winechat
• WinesofCroatia @winecompass // Continental Croatia has seven sub-regions. Coastal Croatia has 5 sub-regions, including the islands. #winechat
• winecompass #winechat Crljenak Kštelanski is a Croatian grape variety that is genetically identical to Californian Zinfandel and Italian Primitivo.
• winecompass #winechat Who's drinking a Croatian wine tonight? We have the PZ Svirce Winery Ivan Dolac 2006 & Enjingi Winery Grasevina
• myvinespot @WinesofCroatia Curious, who are some of your main export markets? Thank You #winechat
• winecompass RT @BlueDanubeWine: @winecompass Tokaj is a god example of a border-crossing appellation. #winechat
• myvinespot Third wine up is the Brkic Citlucka 2009 Zilavka ($14) #winechat http://t.co/FRze1qJV
• winecompass #winechat The red Plavac Mali is king in Dalmatia. Anyone have this wine? At the #wbc11 in #room606 we had some nice samples
• WinesofCroatia #winechat @winecompass // Svirce is the producer. Ivan Dolac is the protected vineyard area on the island of Hvar. Plavac Mali is variety
• WinesofCroatia #winechat @winecompass // Plavac mali is the offspring of Crljenak Kštelanski
• BlueDanubeWine AKA Olaszrizling in Hungary RT @WinesofCroatia: @myvinespot // In Croatia Welschriesling is known as Grasevina #winechat
• WinesofCroatia @myvinespot // main export markets are US (NYC; Chicago; California) and the U.K. #winechat
• winecompass #winechat Continental Croatia also supplies the winemaking world with Slavonian oak for barrels.
• winecompass #winechat RT @hungarian_girl: Here's an interview by Gergely Somogyi from The Tokaji Journal, - http://t.co/lETLh9Ch
• myvinespot Brkic Citlucka 09 Zilavka ($14) Loads of earth/funk, citrus fruit, medicinal streaks & interestingly enough, a dusting of tannins. #winechat
• mariepayton Croatia exports about 5 percent of its production #winechat
• BlueDanubeWine @WinesofCroatia @mariepayton There are many border-crossing grape varieties in Eastern Europe #winechat
• winecompass @wine_h Where are your wines available in the United States? #winechat
• myvinespot Fourth wine up is the 2007 Corten Pinot Noir (Moldova) ($12) #winechat http://t.co/BJ5hmoQU
• mbadrov @winecompass @WinesofCroatia Some of the best Oak in the word #winechat
• P3vins @winecompass Kekfrankos is similar to Italian Barbera @wine_h (Heumann) produces food friendly Kek.. In general most HU vins r #winechat
• WineHouseLA #winechat. Ok because of all this talk on Palvac Mali, I will just have to go open the 2006 Milos "Plavac" Plavac Mali that we carry
• wine_h Our wines are available at JW Sieg, Charlotteville VA - http://t.co/Qb3T8zY5. U&I, Merlot, Cab Franc! #winechat
• hungarian_girl #winechat here's some photos from my last trip to Villány & Villánykövesd (southern Hungary). http://t.co/pDOI6Xzb
• demilove What non-Croatian wines do Croatians and your neighbors crave the most? #winechat
• winecompass Bulgaria is the second largest exporter of wine, second only to France and it has 4 times the Cab Sauv planted than California #winechat
• myvinespot @TLColson @WineCompass found all of these at small local wine shops in Virginia ... a nice one came from @UNWINEDyourself #winechat
• WinesofCroatia @WineHouseLA // Love Milos Plavac Mali from Peljesac peninsula on Croatia's sun-baked coast. Sunshine, white stones & herbs! #winechat
• wine_h @winecompass And great to hear. But also try the Cab Franc. This grape has perfectly addapted to the Villany terroir. #winechat
• BlueDanubeWine @mariepayton go native: Plavac & Posip, Malvasia & Teran, Kekfrankos & Portugieser, Refosk & Pinela ... #winechat
• hungarian_girl @BlueDanubeWine @winecompass #winechat Furmint is gaining ground in Hungary. But its pretty much not known outside the country.
• UCBeau RT @BlueDanubeWine: @mariepayton go native: Plavac & Posip, Malvasia & Teran, Kekfrankos & Portugieser, Refosk & Pinela -- Yes!! #winechat
• KenTruffen The medium price of Tokay is between 60 and 70 ducats. It is sometimes sold in the streets for more than 100. #winechat
• BlueDanubeWine @hungarian_girl @winecompass Dry Furmint is less than 10 years old since it was 1sr produced. Already a success story! #winechat
• winecompass #winechat Romania has the same latitude as France; with micro-climates created by the Black Sea and the Carpathian...
• mariepayton Bulgaria has a longer ripening period than Romania and Hungary #winechat
• WinesofCroatia @hvwinegoddess // Croatian wine distributors in NY are @BlueDanubeWine, Oneocentric, & @VinumUSA. @MurrayHillWines retails in NYC. #winechat
• winecompass #winechat Dealu Mare is considered to be the best area of Romania for red grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot
• myvinespot Total Wine carries this Tokaji furmint dry white #wine ... IMO, very good sip for the buck! http://t.co/bqo1JxqF #winechat
• P3vins At the moment Heumann wines are only available in the DC/VA/MD and soon to be Pennsylvania #winechat
• WinesofCroatia The 3 most widely planted grapes in Croatia are 1) Graševina, 2) Malvasija Istriana, 3) Plavac Mali #winechat
• wine_h Even Jancis Robinson MW regards Villany as the region with the best single varietal CF worldwide. #winechat
• myvinespot Edoardo Miroglio 07 Cabernet Franc ($15): Blackberry, cherry, forest floor, briar, spice, tar, coffee bean, ripe tannins. #winechat
• mariepayton @WinesofCroatia Can you tell us the relationship between Plavac Mali and Zinfandel? #winechat
• BlueDanubeWine RT @mariepayton: @winecompass @myvinespot Nice spread of Eastern European wines tonight! #winechat << Shows us how large this region is!!!
  
• winecompass #winechat Grape growing and winemaking in the territory of modern day Moldova began 4,000 to 5,000 years ago
  
• winecompass #winechat The southern region of Moldova shares the same latitude as Bordeaux & Burgundy, France, intersected by the 47° parallel.
  
• mariepayton I'm using my iphone #sad RT @997dave: Now I have no Hootsuite #winechat
  
• BlueDanubeWine RT @winecompass: #winechat Grape growing & winemaking in modern day Moldova began 4,000 to 5,000 years ago < EE is on the trail from Georgia
  
• WinesofCroatia @mariepayton // Crljenak Kaštelanski is the original Zin. It crossed w/ Dobricic (a local grape) & the offspring is Plavac Mali. #winechat
  
• WinesofCroatia @mariepayton // Plavac Mali ("Little Blue") is now the most planted red grape variety in Croatia. #winechat
  
• 997dave RT @WinesofCroatia: @mariepayton // Plavac Mali ("Little Blue") is now the most planted red grape variety in Croatia. #winechat
  
• WinesofCroatia @mariepayton // yes, but Croatia's 33K hectares under vine comprise less than 1% of total surface area. #winechat
  
• JulesVine @happyhourmary @winecompass Not sure about rom but Moldova has at least 200 yrs & every village family produces at home #winechat
  
• winecompass #winechat Heading into our last region - Bosnia-Herzegovina\Serbia\Macedonian\Kosovo\Montenegro. Anyone drinking these wines?
  
• myvinespot Next up ... a partnership ... Heumann / Heimann 2008 Kékfrankos ($35) #winechat http://t.co/X2ryJ0ar
  
• RoGo81 #winechat Rubin Rizling 2006 nice citrus flavors, slight vanilla age character
  
• mariepayton Legendary California winemaker Mike Grgich played a leading role in raising awareness of Croatian wines #winechat
  
• winecompass #winechat These last regions have over 2 thousand years of wine history: Illyrian period, and the Thracians
  
• wineTT Chateua Pomije 2005 Pinot Noir, Macedonia. Still bright fruit, peppery, tangy finish. Not bad. #winechat
  
• myvinespot @WinesofCroatia How much of the local juice is consumed locally? And ... who's [region] the biggest importer? Thanks #winechat
  
• winecompass #winechat The two most popular grape varieties in Bosnia are Zilavka (white) & Blatina (red)
  
• P3vins RT @myvinespot: Next up ... a partnership ... Heumann / Heimann 2008 Kékfrankos ($35) #winechat http://t.co/X2ryJ0ar
  
• JulesVine Moldova makes 1 of my favorites I call "welches wine" smells just like the juice tastes like chamborcin & turns ur teeth purple! #winechat
  
• myvinespot Heumann/Heimann 08 Kékfrankos ($35): Inviting aromas of anise, eucalyptus, warm black berry, cherry flavors, nice texture #winechat
  
• WinesofCroatia @myvinespot // Check out @BlueDanubeWine's portfolio - best selection of Croatian wines in US! http://t.co/dUT26ZgA #winechat
  
• BlueDanubeWine @winecompass That's what the Zilavka is made for: sausage & Cevapcici #winechat. The Brkic Greda is a more ambitious organic Zilavka.
  
• happyhourmary @JulesVine this makes me think I could make wine in Colorado, given 200 years! #winechat
  
• WineHouseLA @winecompass Its good. Very light and elegent, great acidity and complexity. A bit of cherry, mushroom, spice. #winechat
  
• winecompass #winechat The most important indigenous grape in @WinesofSerbia and surrounding regions is Vranac
  
• winecompass #winechat Vranac berries are large and deeply colored, with its dark berries growing on moderately vigorous and very productive vines.
  
• myvinespot Last but not least ... the 2006 PZ Svirce Ivan Dolac [Hvar] ($25) #winechat http://t.co/HPqB72HB
  
• WinesofCroatia @mariepayton @myvinespot Local consumption is great but declining due to increased imports. All importers r small but passionate! #winechat
  
• happyhourmary @winecompass @WinesofSerbia I love all these cool grape names I have never heard of. Are they related at all to something i know? #winechat
  
• winecompass #winechat Kosovo wines are now available in the U.S. by www.llyrianimport.com
  
• myvinespot 06 PZ Svirce Ivan Dolac [Hvar] ($25): Red fruit, pepper, a touch of mint, grippy tannins ..nice, but need to let this one breathe #winechat
  
• WinesofCroatia @winecompass @WinesofSerbia // watch out for Serbia's Prokupac grape. Showing good potential! #winechat
  
• winecompass Kratosija (Zinfandel) is also popular in the Tikveš wine-growing region of The Republic of Macedonia. #winechat
  
• BlueDanubeWine RT @winecompass: #winechat The most important indigenous grape in @WinesofSerbia & surrounding regions is Vranac < another Plavac relative
  
• vtwinemedia @mariepayton #winechat chaotic as an east european border map tonight!
  
• wineTT Four great imports from Bulgaria. Miroslav and wines from BMV Imports #winechat http://t.co/Z0kzYOP6
  
• BlueDanubeWine @myvinespot Mike Grgich even went back to Croatia to make Posip & Plavac, the most distinguished grapes in Dalmatia #winechat
  
• winecompass #winechat Your thoughts about the wines you tasted tonight? Will you revisit these wines again?
  
• cvn111 Romanian wine: 2200 yrs, easy. Beside the gold in Apuseni, another reason the Roman Legions crossed the Danube. Dacian red wine. #winechat
  
• vtwinemedia TOLD 2 get more dry furmint! RT @winecompass #winechat Your thoughts about the wines you tasted tonight? Will you revisit these wines again?
  
• ElinSilveous :) RT @cvn111: RT @vtwinemedia: @mariepayton #winechat chaotic as an east european border map tonight!
  
• WinesofCroatia @myvinespot @winecompass // Thanks to all for sharing the #winechat love and for your interest in Croatian wines!
  
• wineTT Targovishte Traminer Dry White from Bulgaria east side of Black Sea, candied citrus nose, lychee, light finsih and a bit flabby. #winechat
  
• cvn111 @ElinSilveous @vtwinemedia @mariepayton. What do you mean? Big blue water: Danube one side + Black Sea. It's easy. Good luck. #winechat
  
• P3vins Absolutely ! Hungarian wines are the next big thing to be discovered by Sommelier's...HU reds is all I drink !#winechat
  
• cvn111 @ElinSilveous @vtwinemedia @mariepayton. Alternatively: follow 45th and 47th parallel from France, go East. Good wine all across. #winechat
  
• vtwinemedia #winechat Furmint straight up snappy Tocai & Harslevalu both vino di meditazione. carob & mint tea nose fomer, lemon melon latter. minerals
  
• vtwinemedia #winechat in each case, a lot of wine for the $. Furmint 10, Tocai 12, Harslevalu, 18. Each has long evolution & shine @ room temp.
  
• winecompass @BlueDanubeWine Vranac < another Plavac relative -> I did not know that. Thanks #winechat
• TastyWineCo I have five wines from #Aleksandrovic wines of #Serbia open for tonight's #winechat Leftovers..
• mariepayton @winecompass Thanks for being such a great guest host! #winechat
• winecompass This PZ Svirce - Ivan Dolac - 2006 Plavac Mali is a fine wine. @WinesofCroatia @BlueDanubeWine #winechat
• TastyWineCo #Croatia wine experts, whats the consensus on aging of #Grasevina wines? I swear the Belje Grasevina 2009 is so much better now. #winechat
• winecompass RT @mariepayton: Definitely see a deeper dive into Central/Eastern Europe on future #winechat with functional technology!
• mariepayton It is, isn't it???? RT @winecompass: @mariepayton I'm exhausted. This is hard work. #winechat
• winecompass RT @vtwinemedia -> Where did you get a $10 Furmint ? #winechat
• WinesofCroatia @TastyWineCo // A few months ago a drank a 1963 Grasevina from Kutjevo Cellars. Utterly amazing! Definite aging potential! #winechat
• WinesofCroatia We still have copies available of the Croatian Wine Story DVD for folks who want to know more. http://t.co/L1tzBznK #winechat
• ElinSilveous Thanks everyone. Once again #WineChat was fun and informative.
• mariepayton Another exciting #winechat coming to a close!

Today is #winechat - Focusing on Eastern European Wines

Tonight at 9:00 PM, join us on #winechat as we discuss the wines of Eastern Europe with Cliff Rames: Wines of Croatia - @WinesofCroatia and Erhard Heumann: Heumann Wines - @wine_h. We will discuss indigenous wine grapes, regions, and history from Hungary, through Croatia, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Serbia, Macedonia, Kosovo, and Bosnia.For more information check out our previous post or Facebook event.

#WineChat Talking Eastern European Wines

On Wednesday January 4th at 9:00 PM ET, we will be hosting #winechat, a weekly twitter tasting among a growing community of wine geeks. The topic is very dear to our heart, wines and indigenous grapes from Eastern European. We will start by discussing Hungarian, Slovakia, Croatian, and Slovenian wines, then expand the conversation to wines and grapes from Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Serbia, Macedonia, Kosovo, and Bosnia. Remember to use the #winechat hash tag when tweeting.

We will be pouring and discussing the following wines:

• Pfneiszl Kekfrankos 2009 Sopron Hungary $15.95
• Nyakas Winery Budai Müller-Thurgau; Budajeno Hungary $14.00
• Heumann Winery & Heimann Winery U&I Kékfrankos 2008 Villany & Szekszard Hungary $34.99
• PZ Svirce Winery Ivan Dolac 2006, Island of Hvar Croatia $24.95
• Enjingi Winery Grasevina 2009, Kutjevo Croatia $14.95
• Corten Pinot Noir 2007; Acorex Winery, Cahul Moldova $11.99
• Edoardo Miroglio 2007 Cabernet Franc, Elenovo Bulgaria $15.00
• Brkic Zilavka 2009, Mostar Herzegovina $14.95
• Murfatlar Winery Doyna 2008 Merlot, Romania $10.49
  

Resources:
Hungary | Croatia | Slovenia |Slovakia | Romania | Moldova | Bulgaria | Wine Route of Herzegovina | Serbia | Montenegro

Special Guests:
Cliff Rames: Wines of Croatia - @WinesofCroatia
Erhard Heumann: Heumann Wines - @wine_h
WinesofSerbia - @WinesofSerbia

To find Eastern Europe wines to sample during the tasting, please check you local wine shop, WholeFoods, Blue Danube Wine, Fine Croatian Wines, JW Sieg Wines, Illyrian Import, Inc, Tasty Wine Company

A Wonderful World of Wine at the Wine Bloggers Conference

Just stirring from dehydration and a hangover Sunday morning after four days (including Loudoun County pre-tour) of the 2011 Wine Bloggers Conference and am overwhelmed by all the out of state bloggers who made the effort to travel to Charlottesville. Pretty damn awesome. Plus all the Virginia wine folks who shared their stories and wines to us. But it just wasn't Virginia wine, particularly in the after parties. There was Rioja, Chilian wine, Saperavi from the Republic of Georgia, Ohio Reisling, Texas Viognier, Missouri Vignoles, Rodney Strong single vineyard Cab, Austrian Blaufrankish (and Virginia Blaufrankish), Frontenec Gris from Vermont, Malbec from New Zealand, and plenty of Croatian Plavac Mali. The point is, there is a wonderful world of wine available out there. Think outside the box and try different varieties or even familiar wines, but from other regions. Cheers and thanks to all the attendees for sharing their experiences. WBC11 was way too cool.

Eastern European Wines Shine at the Washington D.C. International Wine & Food Festival

This weekend we attended the 12th Annual Washington D.C. International Wine & Food Festival and spent the majority of time tasting wine produced in Eastern Europe and the Finger Lakes. Yes, other wine regions were well represented, but on the heels of our article, Blue Frankish - A Great Wine By Any Name, we decided to taste the wines we described in the article. Our day started comparing Hungarian Kékfrankos and Finger Lakes Lemberger; although they weren't exact comparisons because the Finger Lakes versions were 50/50 blends with Cabernet Franc. On the Hungarian side we tasted the Heumann Villany Kékfrankos and the Pfneisxl Sopron Kékfrankos. The latter is lighter, made organically, but with the same smoothness and cherry flavors as the Heumann. On the Finger Lakes side, Fox Run Vineyards and Anthony Road Wine Company were both pouring Lemberger\Cabernet Franc blends. These wines reflect the natural balance that occurs with blending these two grapes - the fruit forwardness and spiciness of the Lemberger and the green fullness of the Cab Franc. We actually experimented, creating our own 50/50 blend of
Heumann Kékfrankos and Heumann Cabernet Franc - and this mixture was easily more enjoyable than each as a single varietal. Just remember, whether Hungarian Kékfrankos or Finger Lakes Lemberger, all are very good, affordable, every day drinking wines.

We also tried several other Hungarian wines, from dry reds and whites to the famous Tokaji Aszu. We tasted the Eszterbauer Szekszárd Kardaka Nagyapám, a dry, medium bodied wine with some similar characteristics as the Kékfrankos - without the complexity. Kardaka is a traditional Hungarian grape that was once the dominate grape in the famous Egri Bikaver - Bull's Blood. Its nice to see a single varietal Kardaka make the journey West. There was also plenty of dry Furmint available, another traditional Hungarian wine grape that is normally vinified into Aszu. Made dry, it is a refreshing wine, balanced between fruit and mineral characters. And we had to sample the sweet Furmint displayed in two wines: Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos and the 6 Puttonyos Aszu. Both had the powerful apricot flavors - definitely strong - but not gritty or syrupy. The "Dessert Wine of Kings". Check out the Blue Danube Wine Company more more information about these wines.

After tasting the various Hungarian wines, we moved to neighboring wines produced in Croatia and Slovenia. We are more familiar with Croatian wines, particularly those made from Crljenak Kastelanski - better known as Primitivo and Zinfandel. Another familiar grape is the indigenous Babić as well as its parent Placac Mali. Both of these were available today: Babić Piližota and the Lirica Plavac Mali Peljesac Dalmatia. Both these wines are produced in the warmer climates in the Dalmatia coast. The Babić was smooth and silky, balanced between fruit and earthiness. The Plavac Mali featured more red fruits and seemed more tannic and spicy. Both were very good and extremely affordable. Check out Fine Croatian Wines for more information.

Even with a visit to Slovenia, we are not very familiar with Slovenian wines, but after tasting the wines made by Ptujska Klet, that will change. This winery is the oldest in Slovenia with its cellars dating back to 1239. We started with the Pullus Pinot Grigio Ptuj. Normally not fans of wines made from this grape, this wine was more than drinkable - fuller than most of its kin with an actual tail. Not bad. But the second we tasted was the bomb; the
Pullus Sauvignon Blanc. This wine had everything you would expect from that variety - refreshing acidity, tropical flavors - this wine just exploded in the mouth. Will definitely give some New Zealanders a run. Wow. Once again, check out Fine Croatian Wines for more information.

We did try other wines, in particular several Pinotages from the large contingent of South African wines. The best trend was that most lacked the strong tobacco - smokey characteristic that repelled us from consuming more of wine varietal. In fact, most resembled its parent, Pinot Noir, with silky bodies and creamy texture. These were nicely done and very affordable. Time to re-evaluate these wines.

Then, of course, we had to sample the Finger Lakes dry Rieslings and the Rhatiselli from Dr. Konstantin Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars. Combined with the reds we tasted earlier - we must include a trip north this summer. Too much good wine being made in that region to miss.

And finally, there were a few spirits. It was nice to see our friends from St Lucia Distillers Group, producers of Castries Crème, rolling out a new line of rum under the Chairman's Reserve brand - Chairman’s Reserve and Chairman’s Reserve Spiced. The spiced rum was very interesting - with the spices and botanicals contributing like a fine gin rather than a chemical additive as with many spiced rums. And Philadelphia Distilling returned, pouring their Vieux Carré Absinthe and Bluecoat American Gin. We didn't sample today, but expect a future episode featuring these spirits from MyJoogTV.com.

In sum, another enjoyable wine festival with enough diversity to keep us interested. Until next time....