May no one take offense, but the best Croatian sparklings, Rieslings and Pinot Neros come from Plešivica, with Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Grey Pinot wines also near the top. This was demonstrated by this year’s, 33rd espionage of the Friends of Good Wine Club where 23 winemakers brought 71 young wines to taste them together and comment. For the first time this tasting saw three base wines for sparklings to be enjoyed in two or three years.
“On Plešivica 2016 was a good year for sparklings. Bases are light, neutral and with pronounced acidity,” said Tomislav Tomac.
Similar characteristics are in mixtures of white varieties, such as Yellow Plavac, Red Veltliner, Graševina, Neuburger… Any one of them could make a good sparkling. Some of the vineyards these grapes come from have been planted before World War II and they are the treasure of Plešivica. Planting multiple varieties is the Austrian school and one gives body, second aromas, third freshness… And they are harvested all together so the advantages of one variety cover up the failings of another.
Four years ago Austrians protected one such combination.
Wiener Gemischter Satz is the ninth protected wine region of Austria, but unique in the way they produce wine from one vineyard which can hold up to 20 different varieties. And they are all harvested, pressed and vinified together.
“With later varieties there is the danger of bad weather which can lower the quality of grapes. Mixing varieties these risks are reduced to a minimum as there will always be grapes of good quality. At the same time, such wines have scents and tastes unique for the vineyard,” the Austrian Committee for Wine Marketing explained.
Such wine was discussed at the espionage. If winemakers were to join forces and together produce a larger quantity of good and recognisable wine at an acceptable price, it would be easier for them to conquer markets, at least the one in Zagreb, right under their nose, and the coast which craves refreshing wines in the summertime.
The best drinks, mentioned in the beginning, can all be developed individually. Also raising their quality and price.
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