Gegić, an old variety of Pag Island and Zadar area, was the introduction to an all-day wine gathering in the Boškinac winery near Novalja. The 2016 harvest was a great refreshment before lunch. The win is fruity, light and playful, likeable immediately unlike the 2015 which is duller, but more complex and mineral so the rewards come slower.
“Last year’s harvest was one of the better. Our best was 2014, better than 2015 and 2013,” said owner Boris Šuljić.
He took us further into history allowing the wine to talk for itself. The 2010 harvest was very nice and the biggest surprise was the incredibly lively and young 2002. It is quite unusual when the story of a 15 year old wine, not meant to be aged, begins with the mention of youth. Special was also 2012. With Šuljić made a macerated Gegić named Ocu.
“In the beginning the wine was just different, only later showing itself better than other, normal Gegić’s. I am aware it has some technical failings, but it is very good,” said Šuljić with pride.
Among the older wines was the excellent Boškinac Cuvee 2005. A mix of Gegić, Chardonnay and Sauvignon was macerated and we could again appreciate the youthfulness and liveliness of ripe wine.
“I leave in the archives between 10 and 100 bottles of each wine. It is nice to walk through time like this,” said Boris Šuljić who has the second most southern Sauvignon in Croatia. Only Alen Bibić from Plastovo near Skradin has one further south. The one from Šuljić, still a slightly milky young Sauvignon from the tank, will be quite good, but you have to be in Novalja to try it. It will be sold only in the cellar and restaurant above it. The walk took a long time and many steps, so we wobbled a bit near the end. Not only from Gegić, but also from Boškinac, a red from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the star of the winery.
The Boškinac winery was founded in 2000. The first harvest was in 2001. Their vineyards are in Novalja and with subcontractors in Nadin and in Posedarje.
For the original and more from Vino.hr blog on wine, click here.
