(Welschriesling, Laški Rizling, Olasz Rizling, Vlašsky ryzlink, Riesling Italico)
Graševina is the grape variety from central Europe, whose exact origin is still not known. Some sources are claiming that it is of a French origin, some say Romanian and there is also a theory that it might be Italian or Austrian. Prefixes welsch, laški, olasz and vlašsky on different languages mean „from Wallachia“, which is indicating its south Romanian provenance. (Wallachia is a region in Romania).
The theory, however logical, has been challenged by the Romanians, who call the variety Riesling Italico.
No matter the exact origin of the variety, it is a given fact that it is mainly grown in Danube countries – Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Austria, Czech Republic and Hungary – and two other nearby countries –Italy and Slovenia. Its popularity has been built upon its relatively high yields and adaptability to different soils and continental climate conditions.
Perception of Grasevina on the international markets was undermined because of two reasons, first the socialist economy that was complacent with the average quality of the wine and second, badly chosen name which refers most consumers to Riesling, with whom Grasevina does not share anything in common.
Plavac Mali is an indigenous variety from mid and south Dalmatia. A few years ago Californian ampelograph Carole Meredith from Davis University, together with our experts, professor Maletić and professor Pejić, have found out that Plavac Mali is a cross between two other indigenous Croatian varieties: Crljenak (Zinfandel) and Dobričić. Plavac can adapt well to hot Mediterranean climate and poor soil with rocks. Furthermore Plavac from the southern Karst slopes, exposed to the strong sun, give full bodied, strong and healthy wines of great quality and aging potential, while grapes from the more fertile grounds produce a wine with a bit diluted flavour. That is because the variety in extreme conditions can concentrate in a natural way and gives lower yields (up to 1kg per vine), and if grown in the rich soil has yields of 2.5 kilo per vine. The grape is mainly grown as a bush that during the hot summer months serves as a protection from the sun and heat for the grape. It is common to put the pole next to the bush for the first three years, in order to insure that the plant grows strong enough to resist the strong winter winds.
Malvazija Istarska (Malvasia Istriana) was believed to be for a long number of years a part of the Malvasia family (Malvasia, Malmsey) from the Mediterranean area. However the two varietals, except for the name, don’t share many similarities. Whereas most Mediterranean Malvasia produce sweet wine, Malvazija Istarska is in general a dry white wine. Ampelografic differences are also substantial. In most Malvasias the bunch is square and extended and leaves have a different shape. Only recently a DNA analysis has proven the theory that the Malvasia Istriana is an indigenous Istrian varietal that does not share common origins with the other Malvasias.
Malvasia is very fruitful variety with mid to higher yields, therefore much work in the vineyard is required to regulate the crop. It is also quite resistant to fungal diseases such as botrytis and oidium. It collects sugars well, so the average alcohol content is 11,5% to 13,5% vol. in dry wine. Average acid content is between 5 and 6 g/l of total acids and the wine on average has 20g/l of extract.
Malvasia Istriana is grown all around Istria, parts of the Slovenian coastal region and also in a Friuli region of Italy. The total cultivation area is large, with different microclimate conditions, therefore the wines differ in style.
Graševina is the grape variety from central Europe, whose exact origin is still not known. Some sources are claiming that it is of a French origin, some say Romanian and there is also a theory that it might be Italian or Austrian. Prefixes welsch, laški, olasz and vlašsky on different languages mean „from Wallachia“, which is indicating its south Romanian provenance. (Wallachia is a region in Romania).
Plavac Mali is an indigenous variety from mid and south Dalmatia. A few years ago Californian ampelograph Carole Meredith from Davis University, together with our experts, professor Maletić and professor Pejić, have found out that Plavac Mali is a cross between two other indigenous Croatian varieties: Crljenak (Zinfandel) and Dobričić. Plavac can adapt well to hot Mediterranean climate and poor soil with rocks. Furthermore Plavac from the southern Karst slopes, exposed to the strong sun, give full bodied, strong and healthy wines of great quality and aging potential, while grapes from the more fertile grounds produce a wine with a bit diluted flavour. That is because the variety in extreme conditions can concentrate in a natural way and gives lower yields (up to 1kg per vine), and if grown in the rich soil has yields of 2.5 kilo per vine. The grape is mainly grown as a bush that during the hot summer months serves as a protection from the sun and heat for the grape. It is common to put the pole next to the bush for the first three years, in order to insure that the plant grows strong enough to resist the strong winter winds.
Malvazija Istarska (Malvasia Istriana) was believed to be for a long number of years a part of the Malvasia family (Malvasia, Malmsey) from the Mediterranean area. However the two varietals, except for the name, don’t share many similarities. Whereas most Mediterranean Malvasia produce sweet wine, Malvazija Istarska is in general a dry white wine. Ampelografic differences are also substantial. In most Malvasias the bunch is square and extended and leaves have a different shape. Only recently a DNA analysis has proven the theory that the Malvasia Istriana is an indigenous Istrian varietal that does not share common origins with the other Malvasias.