A fairytale-like wine. Sips glide down the throat…
If you thought that Portugizac grape variety comes from Portugal, you were wrong. There is little evidence for such a claim, while experts say that it originally came from Austria, but it has later spread to Germany and the rest of Europe.
It is a young red wine, but with the specific tone of red and its purple reflections. On 1 and 2 April, the 4th World Evaluation of Portugizac Wines “Portugieser Du Monde” will be held in Pecs, Hungary. The goal of the event is to connect reputable manufacturers and interesting varieties with the international sample evaluators. This year, VINOLIVA Wine & Food Communication from Pecs, the main organizer of this international event, has again divided it into two parts. The first day of the festival is dedicated to the expert assessment of Portugizac in the Zsolnay Cultural Centre, while the second day – Festival Portugieser Du Monde – is open for all visitors from 3 pm to 8 pm. This is an opportunity for Slavonians to taste some fine wines which simply glide down the throat…
A group visit to Villany (where 20 years ago the first wine route in Hungary was established) is planned. Croatian participants will also have an opportunity to visit the Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia in Pecs.
So far, members of the international jury have been wine experts from eleven countries (Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland and Chile), and this year renowned experts from South Korea, China, Portugal and the Czech Republic are expected to join them.
The evaluation is available for samples of young Portugizac from the most recent harvest (2015), and also Portugizac 2014 and older, as well as blends of red wine varieties in which Portugizac accounts for at least 25 percent. A new feature this year is the fourth category, in which white, rose and sparkling wines from the Portugizac variety will be evaluated – said Željka Balja, representative of the Portugieser du Monde evaluation for Croatia.
Typical for Portugizec grapes are medium-sized berries with thin skin and 14 to 16 percent of sugar, while the wine has fruity notes of raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. Young wine ripens quickly, so after maturation it is racked and put on sale or blended with other red wines. Good Portugizac vintage is identified by the total quantity of alcohol of about 12 percent and the total amount of acids of over 6 grams per litre. When you want to drink Portugizac in foreign countries you can order Modra Portugalka (Slovenia), Kekoporto (Hungary), Modry Portugal (Czech Republic), Portugais Bleu (France), Blauer Portugieser (Germany) or Portugaise Noire.
It should not be served cold but at 14 to 20 degrees Celsius, and it perfectly accompanies dishes with poultry, venison, chestnuts and mature cheeses. In 2013, the legislators in Brussels have banned the protection and use of the term Portugizec on the Croatian market, because the name contains the word “port” which is protected in Portugal. The sale of the remaining stock with this name is permitted, but new bottles from the area of Plešivica now carry the name Purtugizec.
The representatives of the Plešivica wine road who will present their samples in Pecs are: PZ Plešivica – Branka Franjević; OPG Lacković-Golubić – Lacković Josip; OPG Ciban – Drago Ciban; Mladina d.d. – Robert Brkić i Saša Zec; OPG Gregorić – Željko Gregorić; OPG Ivančić – Krešimir Ivančić, OPG Puščak – Branko Puščak; OPG Jurkovac Ivica; OPG Josip Braje; Lagradi d.o.o. – Mislav Velikanović; and OPG Gregorić Franjo. Zagreb County Tourist Board took care of the transportation and accommodation for the participants. “Vinarija Mihalj from Kutjevo, owned by Branko Mihalj, has also submitted a sample.
