Plavac Mali: Croatia's Sun-Loving Super Star Grape
Paired with Blue Cheese Burgers
About Plavac Mali
Plavac Mali is the bold, sun loving red grape of Croatia’s Dalmatian coast. It thrives on steep, rocky vineyards that face the Adriatic, which gives the wines warm fruit and firm structure. Plavac Mali sits in a similar family to Zinfandel or Primitivo with a slightly more rustic character.
Plavac Mali in the Pelješac Peninsula
Plavac Mali means “little blue” in Croatian, and it’s the dominant grape of the Pelješac Peninsula. Nearly the entire region is planted with it.
The variety descends from Crljenak Kaštelanski, also known as Zinfandel.
Plavac Mali thrives in the intense summer heat of the Dalmatian coast due to its resilient genetics.
The vineyards are extremely challenging to farm, with slopes approaching 45 degrees. Vines are head pruned and planted in pure dolomitic limestone soils.
Hand built stone terraces and walls create a sculptural, almost Japanese garden feel in the landscape.
The growing conditions are so favorable that pest sprays are unnecessary, though small amounts of copper and sulfur are applied in May and June.
How It Tastes
Ripe dark berries and dried figs
Hints of Mediterranean herbs
Notes of spice, warm earth, and sometimes a touch of saltiness from vineyards near the sea
Medium to full body with bold tannins
What To Pair It With
With lots of tannins and dark fruit, Plavac Mali definitely works better with food such as:
Grilled lamb or pork
Tomato based stews
Aged cheeses
Pizza, pasta, and tuna steaks
Miloš Plavac Mali 2018
The Miloš family has lived and made wine on the Pelješac Peninsula in Croatia for more than 500 years. Their home winery sits just outside the Adriatic oystering village of Mali Ston. The lines on the label represent the sloping, lines of the terraced vineyards.
The close proximity to the sea gives the wines a distinctive quality called friškina, the “scent of the sea.”
According to Frano Miloš, the 2018 Plavac is a pure expression of the variety and its Pelješac terroir.
The Plavac Mali is made 20 year old vineyards, dry farmed, and mostly hand grafted. It needs significant time in the oak (2 years), since the tannins are so strong. The wine can also age for 25 years or more.
The wine is meant to be enjoyed with food daily
Tasting Notes:
Dried, dark brooding red-purple appearance
Dark fruit, blackberry, mineral, dried herbs, black tea, sage, thyme, saline.
Rich, concentrated, and lots of tannins. Bitter and bracing like a dracula’s bite.
Pairs extremely well with the rich bacon and blue cheese in the burgers. Too strong though for the air fried potato wedges.