How Plavac Mali united the international wine community on Sept 21
- by croatiaweek
- in Food & Wine
To most people familiar with Croatia’s gourmet offering, including its millennia-long winemaking history, Plavac Mali is a well-know name. But the Croatian Wine Alliance, a group of global teams promoting Croatian wines led by the US-based duo Anna M. Viducic, founder of Aroma Wine Co., and Mirena Bagur, co-founder of Croatian Premium Wine Imports, Inc., didn’t think that was enough.
“Plavac Mali is a predominant red wine variety growing in Dalmatia which is very recognizable for its distinct aroma and tannins, and deserves a celebration around the time it is typically harvested,” said Mirena Bagur, co-founder of Croatian Premium Wine Imports, Inc., an importer, online retailer, and advocate for wines of Croatia. “This day will be recognized annually in the week surrounding September 21st, with various events, educational and promotional content in local geographies where Plavac Mali is presented. For example, in Boston we are organizing a wine pairing dinner featuring various Plavac Mali wines and a few tastings in boutique wine stores. And on Sunday 26th at 3pm Eastern time, 21:00 Croatian time, we are closing off the celebration with a global virtual party hosted by the US author Allan Karl on FaceBook and Youtube.”
Together with 15 additional organizations from three continents, the team led a media conference to inform and encourage others to learn about Croatian wines, and to kick-off the celebrations for the International Plavac Mali Day, September 21st. This collaboration is a public and private partnership among organizations from the US, Canada, Australia, Europe and Croatia – all dedicated to telling the many stories of this indigenous and predominant Croatian red variety.
Source: Croatian Premium Wine
Representatives from the Chamber of Economy, Vino Dalmacije, a winemakers association, and several winemakers all participated to tell the story of Plavac Mali.
Speakers included:
Nikolina Trojić, president of the Dubrovnik county of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce
Leo Gracin, Doc. Dr. Sc. Oenology, president of the Vino Dalmacije, winemakers’ association; assistant professor at the University of Split, Studies of Mediterranean Agriculture
Siniša Lasan, WSET Level 3, Decanter Judge, the three-time Croatian National Champion Sommelier, and head sommelier for Rixos Dubrovnik Hotel
Ivo Jeramaz, winemaker, Grgich Hills, Napa & Grgić Vina, Pelješac
Antonija Car-Antunović, winemaker, Saints Hills Winery, Pelješac
and Marko Šuman, winemaker, Terra Madre Winery, Komarna
To get more information about Croatian wines availability, contact:
In the US, www.CroatianPremiumWine.com
In Canada, www.croatia_unpacked.com
In Australia, www.CroatianVintage.com
In Europe, www.thetasteorcroatia.com
About Plavac Mali:
Source: Coravin, Inc. www.coravin.com
Plavac mali – almost time for harvest
“Plavac Mali is used to craft some of the finest Croatian red wines, especially when it comes from the barren, steep southern slopes of Southern and Central Dalmatia facing the sea, from positions such as Dingac, Postup and Ponikve on Peljesac, Ivan Dolac on Hvar, Murvice on Brac, and Komarna and Konavle on the coastline. These locales are the home of the most famous labels, wines that are often powerful, alcoholic, full-bodied and rich. Further inland, Plavac is used to make fruitier, lighter, juicier, everyday wines to be enjoyed with a variety of cuisines” – https://vinacroatia.hr/en/
