Croatia Plavina Ivica Pilizota

Inland locations surrounding the beautiful and historic town of Å ibenik, in the southern region of Croatia called Dalmatia. A terrain made up of various vineyard locations, most of which are located on slopes or semi-slopes, with an altitude level of 50 to 300 meters above sea level. The vineyards see some of the warmer temperatures in Northern and Central Dalmatia, with interestingly cooler nights and constant wind breezes that whip around the hill and mountain crammed area. The soil is mostly fertile red and brown top soil with finer brown clay stones, and a rugged and tough limestone foundation. No irrigation, minimal amount of spraying in Spring with only small amounts of powdered sulfites. The cooler temperature allowed Piližota to let his grapes fully ripen until late September. Even so, with the longer time the grapes spent on the vines, the subsequent wine has been a delightfully lean surprise! All of the grapes are strictly hand-harvested, de-stemmed, with classic fermentation in open vats, with approximately 12 days of skin maceration. Fermentation is done through high-grade natural yeasts. Aged in stainless steel tanks and then afterwards put into large used Slavonian oak barrels of 600 liters for about 4 months in order to soften it up before bottling. Wine is not filtered, only fined. Plavina is without a doubt Croatia€™s most underrated coastal red grape, due to the fact that the Croatian coast has been focused on growing Teran, Babic, Plavac Mali and Crljenak, it is oftentimes in the shadows of those better-known varietals. However, Plavina certainly has its own place and offers completely different characteristics that a quite pleasant and unique at the same time. When compared to other coastal reds, Plavina is a bit fresher, softer, brighter, more restrained, and livelier, so much so that one would never guess that it comes from a warmer climate on the rocky soils located right in front of the pristine Adriatic Sea! We€™re happy that Piližota€™s Plavina has really expressed its authentic Dalmatian characteristics: lively acidity, fresh red berries and fruit, lower alcohol that isn€™t overpowering, a solid tannin structure, with a hint of chocolate and constant undertones of Dalmatian earthiness. With lively and lean acidity, Piližota Plavina is really ideal for a variety of occasions and foods. Though, the medium-body does have the ability to accompany a nicely grilled steak, red meat roast, quail, rabbit, or sautéed pork tender loin, it can also be matched up against simpler foods such as cured meats and cheeses, and comfort foods like sausages/sauerkraut, hearty soups, and homemade burgers.