Red dry wine "Vranac": description, manufacturer

Serbian wine undeservedly deprived of the attention of gourmets from around the world. And in this Balkan country they know how to make alcoholic beverages. The first vines here were planted by the ancient Romans, who appreciated the climate and soils of Serbia. From ancient times to our days, some varieties mutated and turned into autochthonous, inherent only in the Balkan Peninsula. The most famous of them are Krstach - with white berries, and Vranac - with black berries. A characteristic feature of these varieties is that they do not tolerate blending. Therefore, the drinks are named after the grapes - "Vranac" and "Krstach". This article is devoted to the first grade. The name "Vranac" is translated simply - "black". And, looking at the blue-black berries, you understand that the name for the brand is chosen well. Vranac grape has a very dense skin. This allows you to deliver the berry to the vat whole for obtaining valuable wort.

Terroir

Wine "Vranac" is grown and manufactured in all countries of the former Yugoslavia. This variety is planted about seventy squares in Montenegro. Especially prized terroir near the Skadar Lake. The valley in Macedonia between the two mountain ranges of the Rhodopes and Pindas is also completely occupied by the vineyards of Vranac. In Serbia for this variety is given far less area. But this does not mean that Vranac is unpopular in the country. On the contrary, the Serbs believe that without ruby wine it is impossible to taste the taste of prsuta - a smoked ham on the coals of pork ham. But outside the country "Vranac" is completely unknown. The matter is that winemaking in Serbia is developing in the direction of supporting a small producer. But things are different in Montenegro. Several large wineries have broken their way to the European market. Therefore, the Russian consumer can also try the products of the Montenegrin company "Plantage". It among others also produces the wine "Vranac", popular in the Balkans. And to try the Serbian analogue, you need to come to the country as part of a gastronomic tour.

Mark Zupa

However, on the shelves of Russian bakeries with a wide range of products you can find wine from the Vranac variety. And it will seduce by the price. After all, the drink is not contained in the glass, but in the tetrapack. It's called Zupa. If you look at the composition and the country-producer, then the label indicates: 100% "Vranac", wine, Serbia. But gourmets do not advise to begin acquaintance with this cult from "Zupa". The grapes were bought by the company from various vineyards, and the terroir at the drink is the most variegated. In the Balkans, it occupies the lowest price segment. But this wine is suitable for accompanying a simple everyday dinner. He has a beautiful dark red color, the smell of forest berries and a pleasant fresh taste. Dry wine with sourness conceals the fat content of pork dishes. Give it a little chilled (up to eighteen degrees).

The best wines from the Vranac variety. "For heart"

The best wine "Vranac" (red, dry) is made in Montenegro. The brand "Pro Kord", which translates as "For the Heart", the company "Plantage" won many gold and silver medals at international competitions of 2013-2014. This authoritative manufacturer has long been present on the European market. Its vineyards are located in the best wine-growing areas of Montenegro. The average age of the vines is thirty-six years. Harvest is collected in September strictly by hand, so as not to damage the integrity of the berries. On the winery, the bunches undergo a ten-day fermentation in stainless steel vats at a temperature of + 26 ° C. Maceration also takes 11 days. Then the wine is aged for two years, either in steel containers or in oak barrels.

We taste wine "Pro Kord"

Already one rich ruby color of the drink with a light purple tint adjusts to a festive mood. We will pour a glass. The wine is dense, leaves a "tear" on the glass. Aroma? Bright fruit. It is a complex bouquet in which dark plum, black currant and ripe cherry are read. The aroma is a little sweet: this note is attached to the wine, vanilla and crumb white fresh bread. As for the taste, one sip brings us to the blissful hot south. Tannins are felt, but they are very velvety. Sommelier is assured that the taste of the Montenegrin wine "Vranac" by the company "Plantage" can be compared with the French Pinot Gris. All products are aged for at least a year in stainless steel vats. Vintage wines, such as "Pro Cord" spend at least two years in barrels, before being bottled. During this time, the wine acquires the aroma of coffee and prunes, and the taste begins to feel chocolate notes. The fortress of this drink is 14 degrees.

Crnogorski Vranac

This Montenegrin wine "Vranac" of the company "Plantage" is characterized by a dark red color that turns into violet. In a complex bouquet of medium intensity, the aroma of ripe cherries, forest berries and hardly audible sweet vanilla are felt. The taste of wine is infinitely fruity, southern. Soft, rounded tannins give a full-bodied drink a charming velvety. The aftertaste is long-lasting, complex. This red dry wine has a fortress of thirteen degrees. A sugar in it contains only 0.16 grams per liter. The harvest product of 2006 is especially good.

Vranac Potkrajski: 100% "Vranac" (wine, Serbia)

The price of this drink in Serbia itself is about three hundred and twenty rubles. That is, it can not be called a cheap product. "Potkraiski Vranac" produces a small family winery Jović, which owns fifteen hectares of fertile land, five kilometers from the town of Knyazhevac. Mount Stara Planina and Tupiznitsa create an excellent microclimate for growing vines. The wine "Potkraiski Vranac" has a dark ruby color. The bouquet is dominated by bitter-sweet wild cherries, vanilla and plum. The taste of the drink is rich. There are notes of forest berries with a barely noticeable coffee tint. The aftertaste is long, playful. The strength of this red dry wine is thirteen percent. It is consumed with juicy meat dishes of Serbian cuisine. But you can serve wine with ripe cheeses, salami and smoked ham snacks.

"Tribune"

Usually the wine "Vranac" is made monosort. But there are exceptions. The wine "Tribune", which is made by the firm "Podrum Andelik", is a blend of varieties Vranac, Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon. What gives such a union of the Balkan variety with two French ones? Vranac gives the drink a temperament, characteristic. Merlot gives blame lightness, pitchnost. And thanks to the presence in the blender Cabernet, in the aroma of the drink notes of prunes are heard, and in taste - pleasant astringency. We do not forget that the wine is aged for 90 days in oak barrels, which saturates it with tannins. The drink has a very pleasant sourness, which makes it suitable for accompanying fatty meat dishes. The strength of this wine is 12.5%. The bottle "Tribune" costs about seven hundred rubles in Serbia.

"Vranac Broyanitsa"

In fact, the Zupa company is a huge Serbian concern that produces a variety of products based on grapes - from vinegar to liqueurs. But if we do not focus on wines in tetrapacks from the lowest price category, then we will find quite decent drinks. One of them is Vranac Broyanitsa. This table wine has a very pleasant ruby color. In taste - very characteristic, with a Balkan temperament, there are notes of southern fruits. The aroma of fresh wine, with shades of blackberries, blueberries, strawberries. This wine should be served at a temperature of eighteen degrees to dishes of meat. Suitable as an aperitif or accompaniment of tapas.