This month, we’re headed to the Balkans, exploring wines from Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia. This European region, just across the Adriatic Sea from Italy, has an ancient winemaking history dating back to the Roman era. Today, both multi-generational and new winemakers are updating the Balkan classics, implementing environmentally sustainable and organic growing practices, and producing some all-around exciting wines.
Pomalo Wine Co. Slavonija Frankovka Red 2022
Pomalo Wine Co. Slavonija Frankovka Rosé 2023
“Pomalo” has no fixed translation into English, but Croatians use it to describe slowing down, taking it easy, and enjoying what’s around you. Based in continental Croatia near the borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Hungary, Pomalo’s wines are made by a pair of cousins using low-intervention techniques, spontaneous fermentation, and minimal filtration to produce easy-drinking, fruit-forward wines.
Frankova, also known as Blaufrankish, is known for black and red fruit flavors along with notes of pepper and spice. This pair of wines from Pomalo Wine Co. offers a chance to compare a red wine alongside a rosé made from the same grape; the red is made with juice left in contact with the grape skins for up to two weeks, while the rosé was made with minimal grape skin contact. These wines are ready for summer, whether you’re grilling, picnicking, or just relaxing with friends!
Featured in: The Taste, Oh So Thirsty
Dalia Negotinska Krajina Gamay Vranac Splet Red 2022
Dalia Negotinska Krajina Traminac Trač White 2022
Kristina Lukić at Vinarija Dalia studied winemaking in Italy, then returned to her homeland of Serbia to found her own winery in 2021. Dalia is based in the Timok region, along the Danube River, near the Romanian and Bulgarian borders, with a winemaking tradition dating back to the Roman Empire.
Dalia’s Splet red is predominantly Gamay, the primary grape in Beaujolais, France, with 20% Vranac, a grape with origins in Macedonia. Made from organically farmed grapes, Spelt offers notes of red fruit, licorice, and cocoa with enough tannic texture and acidity to pair with a variety of foods.
Traminac, also known as Gewürztraminer, produces aromatic wines, often golden-colored wines that pair well exceptionally well with spicy food—or just good company. (The name of this wine, Trač, means “gossip” in Serbian). Trač presents classic Gewürztraminer notes of lychee and citrus and finishes with a balanced acidity. Try this with takeout from your favorite Winooski restaurant!
Featured in: The Treat
Tomac Marany Red 2021
Tomac Marany White 2021
The Tomacs farm in central Croatia, where the family has been making wine for more than a century. The limestone and marl soils of the Plešivica region lend minerality and acidity to their wines. The grapes for their biodynamic Marany wines are fermented and macerated in clay qvevri, then pressed and aged in large oak casks.
The Marany Red, an unfiltered expression of the Tomac family vineyards, is Croatia’s first biodynamic Pinot Noir! With bright raspberry and cherry flavors, Marany finishes with a touch of earth and gentle tannic structure. The Marany White, a blend of Roter Veltliner, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc presents notes of dried apricots, apple cider, ginger, grapefruit, and a hint of spice. These unique wines highlight both the Plešivica regional terroir and the Tomac family’s commitment to winemaking in cooperation with the natural environment.
Featured in: The Toast
Pullus Haložan White 2022
Country: SloveniaRegion: Štajerska
Grape: Welschriesling, Riesling, Chardonnay, Furmint, Pinot Blanc
Located in inland Slovenia, Pullus produces lively cool climate wines aged in stainless steel to preserve fresh fruit flavors. The winery’s cellars have stored wine since 1239, making it one of the oldest cellars in Europe. A traditional local wine from Štajerska, Slovenia, Haložan is a light, off-dry and aromatic white from a blend of Welschriesling, Riesling, Chardonnay, Furmint, and Pinot Blanc. Aromatic and refreshing, this liter of wine is ready to join you outside this summer. And if you want to enjoy a white wine spritzer, Haložan would be perfect. (No judgment here!)
Featured in: Oh So Thirsty
Zajc Cviček 2022
The Zajc family has been making wine since the 19th century. A traditional wine from Dolenjska, Slovenia, Cviček—often regarded as the national wine of Slovenia—is made from a blend of indigenous and regional grapes including Blauer Koelner, Blaufränkisch, Kraljevina, and Welschriesling. With notes of fresh cherries, this light-bodied red is low in alcohol and perfect for a barbecue–especially with a little chill on the liter bottle!
Featured in: Oh So Thirsty
Skaramuča Plavac Mali 2019
Region: Dalmatia
Grape: Plavac Mali
Skaramuča’s Plavac Mali red offers a chance to get to know Croatia’s most famous indigenous grape. Produced on a Croatian peninsula in the Adriatic Sea, this wine is both rustic and easy to enjoy. A bit earthy, with notes of plum and cherry, this Plavac Mali is made in a lighter style and aged in stainless steel.
Extensive DNA research has established an earlier form of Zinfandel as one of the Plavac Mali’s parent grapes, and the Dingač Plavac Mali would pair perfectly with anything from the grill this summer, just like a good California Zin.
Fun fact: Mike Grgich, the renowned Croatian-American winemaker who produced the California Chardonnay that outranked French wines at the famous “Judgement of Paris” wine tasting in 1976, was one of the first individuals to make the connection between Plavac Mali and Zinfandel and support the early research!
Featured in: Oh So Thirsty
