Comments on: A Croatian Wine Tasting – Episode #553

By: vedran

vedran — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:16:38 +0000

Hi there, grat show, and just one addition….

Since some of the folks here mentioned Dinji, Dingsomething, etc., I would like to explain relations a bit…

So Dingach actually (Dinga? in Croatian) is a terrain on Peljesac peninsula, south of Croatia, near Hvar Island (and even more south). That particular spot is planted with Plavac Mali grape.
This is a steep side of coast that can be reached only by the foot, or (most likely still) by the mule….Sun is always on that wineyards, and additionaly reflecting from the sea.

That is from where Dingach brand is, and in Croatia is known as THE wine from Adriatic Coast.

It’s the “noble” kind of Plavac Mali, very rich in flavours, very strong in alcohol, even more expensive than the usual Plavac, and definitly not for the faint-hearted

Second interesting brand from Pelješac peninsula is “Postup”, wich is another terrain there. Grape is also Plavac Mali.

In a fact, when you say “Plavac” in Croatia, you think “Pelješac”, really, not Hvar. Winemakers from Hvar started earlier to invest in cellars than ones from Pelješac, actually, so they did really good work….

but if you ask any of older people (or us younger enthusiasts), for a plavac, most of them (us) would say “Dingach”

I really recommend, if you could get to it. Try the Miloš, Mili?i?,Kiridžija cellars (they are all name of families actually).

Regards from Croatia.

By: richard

richard — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:28:52 +0000

Kristo comments on the wines made on the southern coast of Hvar and suggests that there is a grape called Ivan Dolac. The primary grape on the southern coast of the island is plavic mali which is one of the parent strains of the zinfandel grape in CA and the Italian Primitivo. Ivan Dolac is actual a village that has at least two family owned producers and perhaps more. I have only visited two but it is a small village (<200 population) and both grow the earthy, high sugar plavic grape. Wonderful wines and wonderful people but a town, not a grape. Just down the road is Sv. Nedjelja (Saint Sunday)with a couple terrific restaurants and the Zlatan winery and new tasting room. Bring a designated driver and taste the several producers on the south side if you love REALLY BIG REDS. Wine bars are called knobas and almost always worth a visit. Enjoy!

By: Kristo

Kristo — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:06:59 +0000

Well… To me and in the world around me

By: Koshpa

Koshpa — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:28:08 +0000

It’s pretty courageous to call Posip best Croatian white wine

By: Kristo

Kristo — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:42:17 +0000

Plavac (the last one) is one of many authentic Croatian grape sorts and the wine shown here is one of but not the best brand for it. You should try one named “Ivan Dolac”.

The price is due to very limited area of steep hills where it grows. Most of the time it is impossible to approach with any machines and people just have to do all by hands and use donkeys for transport.

There are special micro locationas that are specially appreciated – Postup and Dingac on Peljesac peninsula and the island of Hvar. Different locations get different sun and it make big difference.

Between them there is island of Korcula that brings best Croatian white wine Posip – a dry white wine. Island Vis brings another great white wine Vugava. Both of them go over 13% and even 14% of alcohol.

It’s an area to explore for wine (and food) lovers.

By: Koshpa

Koshpa — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:10:14 +0000

Hi! Today I’ve seen this episode, and I’m quite pleased how our Coratian wines are rated on this show. There are few things I couldn’t agree with. First of all, continental wines are not just about quantity and zero quality. There are a lot of wine makers on the continental part of Croatia which have excellent white wines (Ivan Enjingi is one of them). I will agree with the part where you mention that white wines are of majority on the continent but its quality is improving every day, and nowdays almost all the wines are of very good to excellent quality. To mention a few: sauvignon blanc, welsh riesling (grasevina), rhein riesling, chardonnay, pinot blanc, traminac. Some of the red wine that are present on the continent are: cabarnet sauvignon, pinot noir, frankovka, merlot, zweigelt, portuguese
Red wines are of better quality in the southern part of Croatia because of the high number of sunny days on the Mediterranean. Zinfandel (Plavac), merlot, babic, are some of the most common red wines you’ll find in Mediterranean part of Croatia. Also there is Istria (Istra) where you’ll find Malvazija (mentioned in this clip), Zlahtina both white wines, and also teran which is also famous in that part of Croatia.
And yes, Croatian wines are more appreciated in the world than Slovenian, by far.

By: Dessert Wine Nerd

Dessert Wine Nerd — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:15:55 +0000

Never would have thought of some big time wines comming from Croatia. Good for them. I hope they can continue to bring it in the future. QOTD: Still have to say so far the Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos.

By: yowens

yowens — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:13:40 +0000

One of your best. I’ve really gravitated to the shows about wines I know nothing about about cool producers. QOTD: I think I;ve had one- it was a Greek white which was so-so

By: joe trdinich

joe trdinich — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:39:43 +0000

Gary, quite a bit behind on my viewing, as I just got to your Croatia episode. I am of Croatian descent and when my son graduated from college in 2004 he spent 6 weeks touring Croatia. I went and spent the last week with him and we drank many wines during the trip. We also had a Plavac while there and liked it so much we brought a bottle home. I stuck it in as a mystery wine during our next wine group blind tasting and it was a big hit with everyone! Glad to see you liked it. Hope that you can find it and put it in stock. I’d love to buy a few bottles!

By: Logan

Logan — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 18:58:30 +0000

Cool episode Gary, keep trying new things and expanding your and everyone else’s palates!

QOTD: Never had an Eastern European wine but will try wine next chance I get. I’m a big Zinfandel fan- next time I’m on a date with some extra cash to spend will definitely try a Plavac! Also BTW great to see you give out another 93+! Don’t be bashful when you really like something!