Tinti´s Scribblings - - - looking at the sea ... I contemplate: April 2012

As the author of this blog I would like to share with any interested reader my deep passion for wines, especially Croatian wines. Croatia can proudly present a tremendous difference of grapes, terroirs and autochtonous wine sorts - topping even some of the major wine-production countries and regions. Wine-specialist are more than aware of this invincible fact, of which verity one can be easily convinced by just following annually major international wine-fairs and wine-awards, as well as noticing the results Croatian wines managed to achieve. Having from my rather common point of view one single flaw - comparatively a rather high price - these wines deserve to be revealed, and this without disregard for many other valuable wines, worldwide. Attached I am to offer publicly my modest but still worth noticing "notebook-winelist" of tasted wines, the better and the worst.

Terroir (French pronunciation: [tɛʁwaʁ]) comes from the word terre "land". It was originally a French term in wine, coffee and tea used to denote the special characteristics that the geography, geology and climate of a certain place bestowed upon particular produce. Agricultural sites in the same region share similar soil, weather conditions, and farming techniques, which all contribute to the unique qualities of the crop. It can be very loosely translated as "a sense of place", which is embodied in certain characteristic qualities, the sum of the effects that the local environment has had on the production of the product.

womenwine, WOW!
Vinistra

Najbolji istarski vinari kažu da se vino radi u vinogradu,
ali potrebno je posebno umijeće sačuvati ono najbolje iz grožđa i ugraditi to u vino.

The best Istra-region winemakers claim that wine is produced in the wineyards, but it is neccessary to preserve the best from the grapes and infuse it into the wine. (Vinistra)

The cork could be reagarded in the sense of "humility", although an object of little value - often used as only craft material - a simple and easily manipulated element - the cork remains a quintessential neccessity. The sheer use of "cork" renders an air of something plain, exemplary of an everyday product. The cap functions as the inevitable element that eventually unifies and personalizes the specific product into a "whole". The label and its design are the evidence of its maker's motif.(Blogauthor)

tasteofcroatia

winesofcroatia.wordpress.com

VINISTRA 2012

* Text and photographs by Tinti

The Vinistra Wine Fair & Awards as a beginner I experienced as sheere pleasure for the Winlover´s eye, nose and tongue. Though probably rather small - more local that is regional - than national or even global, it offers pure pleasure of insight, for the specialist but also for the plein observer. I myself obeserved, than tasted and in the end found easily a lot of courage to comment. The comment though seemded, to my suprise and modest expectations, regarded quite valuble. "Who are You?", was the common approaching question afterwards. "No-one. I am a person that loves wines and Istra. My visit was curiosity pure. I had to contribute!". The thankfullness was on both sides. I was glad. The presentation I attended was titled "Taste of Croatia", it´s aim, the promotion of wine-tourism in Croatia, especially the wine-regions leading with Istra as host of the title-fair. After a rather clumsy introduction of the alleged expert-host (in English, since foreign) and a smart remark of a local insider I finally had to intervene. Wine-makers in Istra do not need Blogs or Web-sides, they already got them and they are perfect. They don´t need Internet-promotion or international Wine-Fair awards, that they already got too. The Istrian Wizzards they are called and indeed the are wizzards especially concerning the developement of authocton wine-sorts as the now famous Malvazija! They don´t even lack "a story", wine in Croatia is traditionally "local" and a way of family-tradition not to mention living. The cuisine and gastronomy is more than a culture, it is "top". Of course the wine-tourist does know that, wine-tourist by rule differ since they explore not book, they always have a primary aim and it is never all-inclusive and "ready for use". What wine-tourism in Croatia needs is a Tourist Board that does its work proparly with all support neccessary. Otherwise wine-tourism will remain in Croatia an expensive sport for those who produce and does who research, but fortunately both will never resign enjoying!

Vinistra- Žatika Hall

Notes on Wine

Notes on Wine II

I will every now and than update the list with according translations or notes for a practical usage.

Rewarded Wines 2012

Festival of Istrian Malvazija - Brtonigla

"Sparkling, sparkling" was the title of the WOW -Croatia presentation introducing two young sisters taking over their father´s sparkling-wine production, almost unique in this region but of already recognised quality and success. The MISAL is more than a sparkling chalange, it is a gem to taste for both men and women.

MISAL by two Ladies

Via Terre-Istra

Croatian Women Wine-Makeresses

Malvazija

Croatian Sommelier Club

Florijanovic Wines

Clai Bijele Zemlje winery
Vesna and Giorgio Clai
Brajki 104, Krasica, HR-52460 Buje
tel. +385 (0)52 776 175
mob. +385 91 577 6364
email: vesna.clai@pu.t-com.hr

Ottocento Bijeli - 2009.

Magnum izdanje, 1,5 l

Mnogi su poput mene zaljubljenici u Claieva vina - posebno se vole Cali crna vina, međutim Clai je za mene osobno Clai, a jednom pročitah lijep opis, koji kaže, kako su "njegova bijela vina to samo po boji, a u duši su zapravo crevena"! Još me je više oduševilo kada saznah, kako sam Clai preferira svoja bijela vina. Iako cijenim sve vinske boje - Clai je ipak možda mala iznimka obzirom da sam ljubitelj maceriranih vina - a ona su upravo bijela ili kako se ista vole zvati : "oranž" vina. Pa tako i ovo Bijelo (kupaža : istarska malvazija, sivi pinot, sauvignon, chardonnay), zapravo boje topaza odiše svim i svačim : pomalo suho, voćno, a istovremeno egzotično začinjeno i žustro. Clai vina ne pijem uz hranu, zato je posebnost okusa pre izražajna. Ima tu i cvijeta i pupoljka - jakost podsjeća na težinu minerala - zemlja tj. terroir kod ovog vina igra neponovljivu ulogu - ono muzira, gori, peće uz izvanredno skladan slad. Ovo vino pijem sama ili u posebno odabranom društvu. Ova vina nisu za svakoga.

Clai

* photographs by Tinti

´Najupečatljiviji istarski zagovornik principa biodinamike Rudolfa Štajnera u uzgoju grožđa je svakako Giorgio Clai, istinski eko-posvećenik i vlasnik samo njemu znanih recepata za kupaže vina koja osvajaju svet. „Prvo sam se naotvarao vina, pa sam kao ugostitelj naučio da su kupaže najbolje“, rekao je jednom prilikom oduševljenim degustatorima njegovih mešavina. I to je sve što ćete saznati od njegovih recepata – sve drugo zavisi od Claijeve vinarsko-alhemičarske inspiracije. U odgoju bele i crne sorte na škrtoj beloj istarskoj zemlji, samouki Clai se posvetio organskoj proizvodnji vina. Nije tajna, uz njegove čokote vinove loze zgodno su se smestili i rastu trava i cveće. Tako delikatan i poseban, zaljubljen u prirodu i prirodnost, Clai svoja vina pravi na starinski način za koji se čini da danas više niko nema vremena. Za njegovo ime vezuje se i pojam „Vini veri“ – istinska vina, ona koja se proizvode i čuvaju u podrumu na poseban, svakako ne brz i serijski, način. Claijeva vina, robusna i snažna, odlično se slažu, gle! ne sa određenim jelima, već sa određenim karakterima. Vole ga tvrdoglavi, dinamični, neustrašivi i samouvereni ljudi čiji stil života nije konfekcijski. Posebno ga cene oni koji kroz život idu širom otvorenih očiju i upijaju svet oko sebe, oni koji umeju da osete u čaši Claijevog vina sunce i zemlju istarsku, cveće i prirodu iz koje su grozdovi otrgnuti da bi se potom prirodno smestili u istinsko vino za istinske vinoljupce. Kada su prvi put probali mešavine tri sorte pravljene po Claijevom receptu, prijatelji su oduševljeno primetili da podseća na stare majstore, odakle i naziv za njegove crne i bele kupaže: Ottocento. To je legenda. Ostalo je čudo koje se mora probati.´

Ottocento crni, berba 2010, kupaža triju crnih sorti, posjeduje upečatljivo duboku, ali zato ne manje prijatnu zagasito rubin-crvenu boju, besprijekorne jasnoće - po mirisu podsjeća na vaniliju, neki čuju i ljubičice kao karakteristika Istarskog terana poznatog još i kao Refošk, te pomalo i začinsko bilje koje nam daje Cabernet sauvignon, a opet i na tek bobičastog voća i okus tamne čokolade jednog dobrog Merlota. Isto može postići jedino Clai.

Ottocento crni _ 2010.

The wine-voyage continues....

"Život je prekratak da bismo pili loša vina." J.W.Goethe
"Life is too short to drink bad wines." J.W. Goethe

2012.dalmacijawineexpo

Per sheer coincidance I stumbled across
and extraordinary Wine_Experience. In a wooden case, hidden far beyond the main wine shelves of this particular Zagreb wineshop I found this hidden gem.
Fist I saw the label, then I read the rest - a POSTUP from Pelješac, Donja Banda - this must be a fine wine, born 2003.
The content rendered at first a shudder of excitement, then gave me a deep taste, undescribable actually. Certain is though without question - a prime and original Croatian Pelješac Postup from Donja Banda has to taste exactly like this. Postup represents a valuble gem in the crown of proud red autochtonous Croatian wine-sorts. I' ll never forget this "Cricket", it was a hot Croatian summer evening, the wast Adriatic sea
it ' s horizon.

Svijet u čaši

jabuke & ruže / apples & roses

Vinoteka Bornstein

Visit to Miloš on Dalmatia’s Pelješac Peninsula

by Bravawine

"Things seem to move a bit slower in Dalmatia and nobody seems to mind. ...

Keep it natural, intervene minimally, and don’t let the wood barrels have too much impact on the wine. ...

Miloš’ vineyards are situated on the steep, rocky hillsides of the Pelješac peninsula, facing the Adriatic Sea. He’s tending the plants by hand, as if there’s any other option on these jagged slopes. His basic Miloš Plavac is coming from the middle section of the hillsides while Stagnum, his top wine, comes from the top position of the vineyards."

*the Blogauthor wasn´t yet lucky enough to taste this wine ...

Frano Milos_Stagnum

Harem Sultan Wine

"Harem Sultan is a premium wine brand that is only sold at duty free shops in Turkey targeting foreign tourists. The brief was to design a packaging that would create conversation on the table when people go back to their countries. Something that foreigners would love to buy not only as wine but as a Special Souvenir from Turkey. Each bottle is dressed with the famous Kaftan of an Ottoman Sultan. The colours of the Kaftans indicate the sort of wine in the bottle. At the back of each bottle there is the real story of the Kaftan. The Kaftans are all handcrafted in silk. And are all designed by the original textiles of the Ottoman Sultans."

I´am lucky enough to have as a good friend a very nice lady, one of the best-quality persons I know, and she never forgets good friends either. Although it was surely a remembering Turkey holiday, sharing it with a nice gentleman, she never forget my passion all the same.

Nevertheless what "the bottle" below says the colour as well as the taste reminded me unforgettably of tyrkish roses - rose jam it was for me - a warm but refreshing wine experience.

Harem Sultan - Rosé Wine - 2009 - alc 13% - 750 ml :

Yavuz Sultan Selim I

Rosé Wine from Anatolian "Öküzgözü" grapes of the Denizli region.

The kaftan attached belonged to Yavuz Sultan Selim I and it is now exhibited at the Topkapi Palace Museum.

Oküzgözü
photos by Tinti

BAKUS

Tcherga is unique blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Rubin. As Tcherga, the typical Bulgarian craft made rug, gathers the most impressive and beautiful colors of Bulgaria, so this wine combines the most exquisite tastes and aromas of those three grape varieties from the Thracian Valley in Bulgaria.

A nice treat by a friend. A strong Bulgarian. A deep taste as deep its colour.

A warming wine for a nice evening (see picture above).

photos by Tinti

Ivo Dubokovic_Jelsa Hvar
Berba 2010
2718 sati sunca u boci

Sorta : Plavac mali

Tijekom jedne godine sunce obasjava grožđe 2718 sati - ovo vino daje upravo tih 2718 sati sunca u boci rubinsko crvene je boje, skladnog, intenzivnog mirisa, neki tvrde na suhe šljive i mirisne trave. Svakako je punog okusa, kažu zrelih i elegantnih tanina, čute se okusi višnje, trava, u odlasku blaga trpkost. Najbolje konzumirati na sobnoj temperaturi. Jedite nešto sukladno okusu, ali počnite tek nakon prve čase!

Kozlović _ Mladuh : 2011

MLADUH – Istarski izraz za mlado vino ala Boujolais (F) ili Novello (I)
mladuh = istarski mladić, a može i mlad/mladi duh

Kolzlović Vina Istra

nepogrešiv izbor
kupaža crvenog mladog vina:
merlot (35%), refošk (25%), plavina (25%) i teran (15%)
vrlo lagano i pitko, voćnog teka, lijepe svijetlo crvene boje -
kristalno jasne

Mladuh se tradicionalno pušta u prodaju treći četvrtak u studenom.
Ne proizvodi se u godinama kada je berba kalendarski
kasnija jer ne postoji:
- kvalitetan izbor grožđa
- dovoljno vremena da se odradi sva procedura k.m
. + alk. ferm. + stabil. + punjenje u butelje

Text papirnog omota boce:

Svestran i zavodljiv, mladenačkog duha, dolazi nam Mladuh kao predvodnik nadolazeće berbe. Bogat i raskošan, a istovremeno nepretenciozan i dopadljiv. Esencija voćne primarnosti i svježine. Mirisa koji odiše aromama trešanja, višanja, šumskih jagoda i cvjetnih nota poput ljubica, te okusa u kojem se prava eksplozija živahne voćnosti isprepliće sa čistom i treperavom svježinom mladog vina.

SOLUM Chardonnay Sur Lie 2011 -

Vinarija Solum (Robert Naprta)

Solum V

Vrsta: bijelo vino
% alkohola: 15,4%
Sorta: Chardonnay
Berba: 2009
Regija: Hrvatska, Međimurje
Proizvođač: Robert Naprta
Najbolje pristaje uz: jela od bijelog mesa
na roštilju,
odrezak od tune, dimljena riba
Temperatura posluživanja: 12-14 ºC
Cijena: oko 15 EUR

Po mom skromnom mišljenju možda pomalo precijenjen u cijeni - ali svakako izvrstan sur lie!

Torres - Fransola
Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage 2001

This white barrique was also a lost gem
finally found. Very warming from the beginning,
fruity aromas, but still a nice "leftovertaste" of tobacco.
A wine also to drink "solo" - a dessert - more food is not
not required.