Plavac Mali
| Plavac Mali | |
|---|---|
| Grape(Vitis) | |
 | |
| Color of berry skin | Red |
| Notable regions | Dalmatia,Croatia |
| Notable wines | Dingač,Postup |
| Ideal soil | Karst |
| VIVCnumber | 9549 |
| Wine characteristics | |
| Medium climate | Black cherry |
| Hot climate | Licorice, black pepper, cloves |
Plavac Mali(Croatian pronunciation:[plǎːʋat͡smǎli]), a cross between Crljenak Kaštelanski (ancestral Zinfandel) andDobričićgrapes, is the primary redwine grapegrown along theDalmatiancoast ofCroatia.[1]The name refers to the small blue grapes that the vines produce: inCroatianplavomeans blue;malimeans small.
Plavac Mali is known for producing rich, flavorful wines that are high in bothalcohol(typically 13% but up to 17%) andgrape tannins.[1]Common flavors and aromas include carob, figs, sage, dark cherries, pepper, and spices. Croatian wines from this grape include the reds fromDingačandPostupvineyards on thePelješac peninsula,Hvarisland,Bračisland,Visisland,Komarnavineyards,Konavleand the rosé Opol (a vinification style). The wines from Plavac Mali can be created as dry, semi-dry or sweet. Most common are dry wines, although wines with a little bit of residual sugar are a traditional expression of Plavac Mali.
If not grown in ideal conditions, Plavac Mali is notorious among winegrowers for its uneven ripening properties - a grape cluster with both green berries and raisins. If left to ripen fully, the tannins and sugars increase, but the acids drop. This is why Plavac Mali is a challenge for the winemakers.
History
[edit]
In the 1980s, Plavac Mali was incorrectly thought to be an ancestor of Zinfandel. In 1998, while researching the origins of Zinfandel through DNA fingerprinting, Dr.Carole MeredithatUC Daviswith the urging fromMike Grgich(a well-known winemaker inNapa Valleyoriginally from Croatia) and researchers from theUniversity of Zagrebdiscovered that Zinfandel is actually one parent of Plavac Mali.[2]The other parent is an ancient variety known asDobričićfrom the island ofŠoltawhich, much like Crljenak Kaštelanski is not commonly found on its own.
References
[edit]- ^abMiquel Hudin (2012),Vinologue Dalmatia,Vinologue,p. 320,ISBN978-0-615-23217-1
- ^Meredith, Carole,"Looking for Zinfandel in Croatia"Archived2021-05-06 at theWayback Machine,Zinfandel Express,January 2002.
External links
[edit]- "Explaining Plavac Mali",Hudin.com,January 14, 2011
- "Plavac Mali, most widespread red grape variety indigenous to Croatia",Absolute Croatia,November 16, 2022
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