Plavac Mali Story

Plavac Mali is a cross between ancestral Zinfandel and Dobricic grapes. It is the primary red wine grape grown along the Dalmatian coast of Croatia. The name refers to the small blue grapes that the vines produce, yet there is nothing small about how the wine tastes. Plavac Mali is known for producing rich, flavorful wines that are high in both tannins and alcohol yet at the same time can be light and long on finish. A history of Plavac Mali was re-assessed in 1998. A joint US/Croatian enological study based on DNA fingerprinting method discovered that Zinfandel is actually one parent of Plavac Mali. The other parent is an ancient variety known as Dobricic from the island of Solta in Dalmatia.

Interestingly enough, Zinfandel isn’t the local name. That’s what it was called on its arrival in the New World. In Croatia, more specifically Dalmatia, it was known under various names including Tribidrag, while in southern Italy it’s still known as Primitivo, a grape dating all the way back to 15th century. Plavac Mali, as an offspring of these two signature Mediterranean grapes, brings the best of both parents while creating its own distinctive taste. Blackberries, dark cherries, pepper, and spices permeate the wine. It is important to note that the geography plays a big role too. Southern Dalmatia is the only place in the world where Plavac Mali can reach its optimal ripeness and flavor.

The History Of Croatian Wine Culture
(Excerpts from Tamara Novakovic text @ Honest Cooking)

Plavac Mali is just a part of wider vinicultural history in Croatia that goes back thousands of years. Wine has always been associated with the notions of magical drink of gods, sickness and health, sadness and joy. Croatia is a country with an abundance of vineyards and wine sorts and if you’re not acquainted with Croatian wine culture, from its northern white wines to southern stronger red sorts, you will be pleasantly surprised to find out what an array of beautiful wine types this country holds.

The core and rudiments of sublime and forever faithful attitude of Croatian people towards wine originate from the hedonic time of ancient Greece. Ancient coins with imprinted grapes and goblets from the island Vis (ancient Issa) date back to the 4th century BC. Two centuries later, Greek writer Athenaios mentions famous wine from Vis. Wine has been cultivated in this area for over six thousand years and the most responsible for its expansion were the Romans. Poreč in Istria (northern Croatian sea cost) has a temple dedicated to Bacchus, the wine god. In the 1st century, Roman Emperor Claudius had entire Moslavina hill in northern Croatia covered with vineyards, which was then called Mons Claudius, in his honour. Although the age of nation’s migration threatened to destroy vineyards, the exact opposite situation took place: widespread Christianity safeguarded and expanded wine culture, since wine has always been a part of church rituals. Croatian nation adopts this and develops it. There is a statute from the Island of Korčula which dates back to 1407 and stipulates that every land holder will lose all the profit from vineyards if they neglect them, and the one who purposely damages them will have his right hand cut off. Talking about drastic measures and loving wine.

Not only Croatian sea coast has rich wine history, continental area has quite a large number of stories and wines to share. In 1209, Croatian-Hungarian king Andrew the Second awarded Varaždin city with the benefits and title of free, liberated city and obliged it to provide 20 cables of wine. 1841 is the year of systemic wine culture renovation. Ten years later, Croatian wines got recognized and awarded in Vienna and London. From then on, wine became the most important Croatian product. In the late 19th century, grape phylloxera (a pest of grapevines) was brought from America to Europe and completely destroyed old vineyards. A large number of winegrowers emigrated from the country and continued their trade in foreign land. After tedious struggle and Second World War, wine culture regenerated and gained respect. In the world chardonnay contest in France in 1996, Chardonnay from the town of Jaska won first place.

Entire continental Croatian area cultivates white wines like Graševina, Riesling, Sauvignon, Traminer, Muscat, Silvaner, Furmint and red sorts like Frankovka, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Burgundac etc. Coastal areas cultivate varied array of wine sorts. Istria is known for Malvasia, Zlahtina, Merlot, Plavina, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc. Dalmatian area has a large selection of recognized wines like Plavac Mali, Plavina, Blatina, Kujundzusa, Plavac etc.

The first protected Croatian wine is Dingač from 1961. Today Croatia has 697 protected wine sorts out of which 76 are considered to be elite wines like Plavac Mali from Peljesac, Muscat Ottonel and Cabernet Savignon from Poreč, Žlahtina from Vrbnik, Babić from Primošten, Plavac from Bol, Pinot from Zelina, Graševina and Riesling from Kutjevo etc. Today there are many renowned Croatian winegrowers from California to New Zealand, including the most renown of all, Miljenko Grgich of Grgich Hills Napa Valley legendary winery.

Full post can be found here

Read here for more World Press on Croatian Wine:

Read here for more World Press on Croatian Wine:
Huffington Post 2013
Wine Enthusiast 2012
Decanter 2012
Wines of Croatia 2012
FSR Magazine 2011
Wines of Croatia 2011
Examiner 2009