Vranac wine: history in brief, as well as producers
Winemaking on the Balkan Peninsula dates back more than a thousand years: the first vines were planted here by the Romans. Over time, imported grapes mutated and gave rise to native varieties. The most popular are drinks made from red Vranac grapes and white Krstac grapes.
The Serbian word "vranac" best describes the wine of the same name. The name means "black, raven". This is the color of the berries used to make the drink. Vranac is grown in the Balkans in all countries of the former Yugoslavia. You can taste the wine in Montenegro, Serbia and Macedonia, and the former produces it in the largest quantities.
Specifics of production
The climate of the Balkan Peninsula is optimal for growing black Vranac grapes.
The peculiarity of its fruits is in the high strength of the skin and a small number of seeds.
Large berries abundantly cover the branches. Harvesting is done exclusively by hand to preserve the fruit intact.
It is believed that undamaged grapes are necessary for obtaining high-quality wine.
As for production, in Montenegro, its volumes are comparable to European ones, while in Serbia, private winemaking is more developed, represented by small farms.
The area of vineyards differs accordingly. Macedonia is approximately in the middle in terms of plantations. Grape vines are grown here in a valley located between two mountain systems.
After harvesting, the fruits are fermented at a temperature of about 25 °C.
The preparation period is 10 days, after which the future wine goes through the maceration stage, which takes about the same amount of time.
And then the drink is aged for two years in oak barrels or steel tanks.
Producers and wine options
The most famous supplier of the drink is the Montenegrin company Plantaze, which is the most famous supplier. The company produces Vranac in several variants:
Vranac Pro Corde
It is considered to be the most worthy wine of this line. The drink has gained popularity in Europe and has received many awards at prestigious international competitions.
It is produced using a specially developed technology that preserves the natural taste and the largest amount of free radicals that have a positive effect on the human body. Alcohol content is about 14%.
Wine color - rich, dark red. The bouquet is fruit and berry with interspersed spicy herbs, coffee and chocolate.
It is recommended to serve chilled with tender "young" meat (baked lamb, poultry dishes), goulash, fish and mature cheese.
Vranac Barrique
Ruby red wine with a slight purple hue. Fruits for its production are harvested at the moment of greatest maturity, when the level of sugars reaches its maximum.
The drink is aged in oak barrels for a year, which gives it harmony and a soft flavor.
The taste is a riot of dark forest berries (blackberries and blueberries) with tones of ripe cherries, plums and vanilla.
This is a tart wine with a long aftertaste of caramel and smoke.
It is easy to drink, goes well with fatty and spicy meat, smoked meats and hard cheeses. Serving temperature - 18-20 °C.
Vranac Reserve
A drink from the collection of premium wines. Produced from the best harvests, aged in wooden barrels (3-5 years).
The producer characterizes the wine as mature and luxurious.
The taste is velvety, rich, fruity and berry, containing hints of prunes, figs, chocolate and coffee.
The aftertaste is long, belongs to the class of drinks "for meditation".
Suitable for any dishes and for drinking solo. The best complement is steaks, pork, noble cheeses and smoked meats. Harmoniously sets off chocolate desserts.
Montenegrin Vranac
Wine produced according to ancient recipes. It reflects local traditions and the best features of varietal grapes.
The color of the drink is bright ruby with a transition to purple.
The taste and aroma are played with tones of ripe cherries, dark forest berries and prunes, the aftertaste is spicy and warm.
A great pairing with meat and fish dishes, spicy appetizers and cheese platters.
Kraljevski Vranac
The dark ruby drink undergoes a maceration and fermentation process in oak tanks, after which it is aged for two years in small French oak barrels and one year in bottles.
This is a tart, powerful wine with a rich flavor, in which you can catch hints of cherry, plum and blackberry. The drink is highly valued and has a mineral flavor.
It is better to taste products from Serbia and Macedonia directly during a visit to these countries. Vranac wine produced on their territory is not delivered to us. The only exceptions are Zupa beverages, which can be found on sale packed in tetrapaks. But these are not the best examples of the famous wine.
Update: 31.08.2018
Category: Wine and Vermouth