Plavac Mali
Weary from our recent travel, we kept it short today just hopping on the ferry from the island of Korcula to the little Croatian peninsula known as Peljesac. Including our ride across the narrow straits, our trip takes barely 90 minutes as we traverse the pine-shaded roads heading southeast on the peninsula.
As we noted, yesterday, Plavac Mali, literally "small blue" is the frequent "husband" of Grk Bijeli, but also quite an interesting grape in its right. American Zinfandel lovers should be in for a treat as the typical Plavac characteristics are not unlike those found in the Zinfandel found primarily in California.
Plavac Mali is a very temperature sensitive grape, not in its ability to grow, but in the wines it may produce. As is the case with many other red grapes, Pinot Noir being an excellent example of this, the hotter the climate and growing season, the darker the flavors and generally the higher the alcohol content in the resultant wine.
The Plavac Mali we are drinking is from 2015 through 2018 and there were no cool growing seasons in there, so unlike 2011 when the Peljesac peninsula did have a cooler summer and produced wines with a mix of red and black cherry, we get none of that this time around. Instead, we find wines that are extremely tannic and running nearly 17% alcohol by volume (ABV). Low in acidity, however, some find this to result in a lack of balance, but this, too, makes it like Zinfandel.
On the palate, we get dried fig, carob from the native trees, blackberry, black cherry, black pepper, and dark spices. Pair your Plavac Mali with traditional Croatian stews, big game such as venison or wild boar, rich wintry soups, or even a thick, juicy steak.
As we noted, yesterday, Plavac Mali, literally "small blue" is the frequent "husband" of Grk Bijeli, but also quite an interesting grape in its right. American Zinfandel lovers should be in for a treat as the typical Plavac characteristics are not unlike those found in the Zinfandel found primarily in California.
Plavac Mali is a very temperature sensitive grape, not in its ability to grow, but in the wines it may produce. As is the case with many other red grapes, Pinot Noir being an excellent example of this, the hotter the climate and growing season, the darker the flavors and generally the higher the alcohol content in the resultant wine.
The Plavac Mali we are drinking is from 2015 through 2018 and there were no cool growing seasons in there, so unlike 2011 when the Peljesac peninsula did have a cooler summer and produced wines with a mix of red and black cherry, we get none of that this time around. Instead, we find wines that are extremely tannic and running nearly 17% alcohol by volume (ABV). Low in acidity, however, some find this to result in a lack of balance, but this, too, makes it like Zinfandel.
On the palate, we get dried fig, carob from the native trees, blackberry, black cherry, black pepper, and dark spices. Pair your Plavac Mali with traditional Croatian stews, big game such as venison or wild boar, rich wintry soups, or even a thick, juicy steak.
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