DALMATIA UNPACKED
GRAŠEVINA UNPACKED
Graševina - the "darling of continental Croatia".
Graševina is the most widely planted varietal in all of Croatia. The best quality grapes are grown in the Slavonia region, which enjoys a dry climate and warm soils.
It has been genetically matched to the Borba grape, from south-west Spain.
It is a food-friendly wine, which can be produced in a variety of styles, from dry to off-dry to sweet, sparkling and macerated. Wines are mineral with good acidity.
If you are looking to discover a unique, lively and expressive white then look no further ...
GRAŠEVINA PORTFOLIO
PLAVAC MALI UNPACKED
Plavac Mali - the powerful "little blue".
Plavac Mali is an ancient variety, and the most widely planted red in Croatia. It thrives in mainland Dalmatia, the Pelješac peninsula, and the islands of Brač, Hvar, Korcula and Vis, where it loves the steep sandy terraces that sweep down to the Adriatic Sea.
It is the renowned offspring of two old Croatian varietals - Tribidrag (the original zinfandel) and Dobričić - and makes powerful reds.
Plavac Mali wines are full bodied, hearty and opulent, with ripe notes of fig, plum and spice, pairing well with game and red meat dishes.
If you enjoy Zinfandel / Primitivo then you should love the "little blue"...
PLAVAC MALI PORTFOLIO
MALVAZIJA UNPACKED
Malvazija Istarska - the "versatile crowd pleaser".
Malvazija Istarska is a classic old world indigenous variety and the flagship white wine of Istria, where it has been cultivated for centuries, thriving in the region's distinct micro-climate.
It is of Istrian origin, not to be confused with other malvasias, native to it's old world neighbours in Italy and Greece.
It is incredibly versatile, producing wonderful fresh wines, fascinating macerated orange wines, as well as having the potential for barrel aging. Floral aromas prevail, with refreshing notes of fruit, mineral and a mild bitterness on the palate.
If you enjoy fresh whites & well structured orange wines then this is must try ...
MALVAZIJA PORTFOLIO
TERAN UNPACKED
Teran - "taste the Istrian terroir".
Dating back to at least the 14th century, Teran has evolved from the working man's staple to the rich and robust varietal of today. Notoriously hard to tame, it loves the iron-rich red soil of Istria, and its wild character is closely tied to Istria's identity.
It has been genetically matched to Italy's Terrano grape, a member of the refosco family.
Deep purple in colour, the best teran's show elegance, ripeness of fruit, strong earthy notes, naturally elevated acidity and firm tannins. Enjoy with red meats and game dishes, as well as prosciutto and aged cheeses.
If you enjoy earthy old world wines then Teran is the one for you ...
TERAN PORTFOLIO
POŠIP UNPACKED
Pošip - "Korčula's indigenous gem".
Pošip is the most widely planted white varietal in Dalmatia. Indigenous to the stunning island of Korčula, birthplace of Marco Polo, it is a very adaptable and terroir driven grape that produces full bodied yet fresh whites.
It is believed to originate from Korčula in Dalmatia, with confirmed parentage to three other locally grown indigenous varietals.
It is a versatile grape, which can be produced in a variety of styles, from fresh to macerated, and tends to be high in alcohol with fresh acidity. Wines are medium to full bodied, rich and yet fresh, with herbal, mineral and saline notes - a perfect companion to seafood.
If you are looking to be seduced by something unknown, start with this gem ...
POŠIP PORTFOLIO
BABIĆ UNPACKED
Babić - "a fighter with great potential".
Babić is local to the central and northern Dalmatian coast. The best quality grapes are grown on old vines, in windy locations where yields are low. It thrives in extreme locations, on rocky, seemingly inaccessible terrain, where grapes need to fight to survive.
Genetic analysis is complicated and ongoing. It is confirmed to be related to Plavac Mali - either as a grand-parent or half-sibling, as a result of it's relationship with Dobričić.
Wines are deeply coloured, with a palate of dark fruits, herbal notes and spices. It has great body and well-rounded tannins, resulting in a great balance.
If you enjoy a good Chianti Classico then you should try this Dalmatian fighter ...
BABIĆ PORTFOLIO
VUGAVA UNPACKED
Vugava - "an aromatic gift from the Greeks".
Vugava is an ancient varietal from the island of Vis in Dalmatia. It is believed to have been introduced to the region by the ancient Greeks. It thrives on stony, sandy hillside slopes, where, with optimal sun exposure and Adriatic breezes it ripens quickly, and, as a result, the harvest needs to be closely managed.
Genetic analysis is ongoing, but it is believed to be indigenous to Croatia. Contrary to popular opinion, it is not genetically matched to Viognier.
Wines are intense and aromatic in nature, golden yellow in colour, with a palate of green apples and ripe apricots.
If you enjoy aromatic whites, then this is one to add to your cellar ...
VUGAVA PORTFOLIO
TRIBIDRAG UNPACKED
Tribidrag - "the original Zinfandel".
Tribidrag, otherwise known as Crljenak Kaštelanski, is an old varietal with its ancestral home in the region of Dalmatia. It is well suited to the hot, Mediterranean climate, and ripens early, to produce wonderfully deep red wines, with subtle tannins and good acidity.
In 2001, genetic analysis confirmed it to be the original Zinfandel / Primitivo, and 4 years later it was determined to be a parent of Dalmatia's flagship red, Plavac Mali. In the years since this genetic discovery, the grape has gone through somewhat of a renaissance in Croatia, with more producers embracing the history and traditions of this varietal.
Wines are bold and fruit-forward, with strong notes of Mediterranean herbs and pepper.
Zinfandel and Primitivo lovers, its time to taste the original!
TRIBIDRAG PORTFOLIO
DEBIT UNPACKED
Debit - "a currency accepted by Napoleon".
Debit is a white grape indigenous to the Dalmatian region of Croatia. Historically, since Napoleonic times, this high quality wine which produces high yields, was used as a form of currency, to pay off debts - hence the name! It thrives on inland vineyards, which benefit from good sun exposure, as well as cooling mountain breezes.
It is believed to be indigenous to Croatia, but is also grown today in Northern Macedonia.
When well produced, wines attain depth and intensity, with great minerality, and strong citrus notes. It is also well suited to maceration, producing wonderfully flavourful orange wines with notes of dried fruits, herbs and nuts.
Inquisitive wine lovers ... this unique varietal should be on your list!
DEBIT PORTFOLIO
PLAVINA UNPACKED
Plavina - "a Dalmatian flavour profile with a lighter touch".
Plavina is a red grape, most commonly found in Northern Dalmatia, although it can be found throughout Coastal Croatia, from the Kvarner Gulf to Montenegro. When it meets its terroir match - rich soil with a high moisture content - it produces consistently high yields, and makes wines that are typically light to medium bodied, with great acidity.
Genetic analysis has established Plavina to be a cross between Tribidrag and Verdeca (from Puglia, Italy). It is still widely cultivated in Croatia, and has all but disappeared from Puglia.
Wines are soft, fresh and bright, with a flavour profile of red fruits, bramble berry and earthy undertones.
Looking for an easy drinking red for midweek sipping? This ones for you!
PLAVINA PORTFOLIO
GRK UNPACKED
Grk - "a needle in the wine haystack".
Grk is Croatia's ultimate needle in the haystack - a wine lover's secret.
It is found in the sandy soils around the small village of Lumbarda on the island of Korčula. Possessing only female flowers, it is grown alongside Plavac Mali in order to enable pollination. Only a handful of producers work with this wine, making it highly sought after, difficult to find, but worth seeking out!
DNA parentage analysis has established that Grk has a parent-offspring relationship with Tribidrag, thus confirming it to be indigenous to the Dalmatian region.
Wines are full bodied and structured with well balanced acidity. Expect citrus and stone fruit notes, with distinct salinity and a pleasant bitter finish.
A unique gem and a wine to impress the most knowledgeable connoisseurs!
GRK PORTFOLIO
LASINA UNPACKED
Lasina - "Dalmatia's Pinot Noir".
Lasina is indigenous to North and Central Dalmatia. Single varietal wines are rare to find and worth seeking out for their elegance. The varietal thrives in vineyards at elevation, with good sun exposure and cooling sea breezes. Lasina has found a perfect home around the village of Skradin, where the river Krka and proximity of the Adriatis Sea create the optimal micro-climate for this varietal..
It is believed to be indigenous to Dalmatia, but no significant genetic analysis has been performed to date. It is not known to be grown outside of Dalmatia.
Wines are light to medium bodied, and well balanced, with a typical flavour profile of red fruits, violet, earthy notes and hints of spice.
If you're an old world Pinot Noir lover, this is one to try ...
