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Andrija, Blatina 2003
Andrija, Blatina 2003
Mostar wine growing region
Blatina is the best known indigenous red grape variety of Herzegovina, from where it spread to a few locations in Dalmatia. Regardless of the irregular yield, a consequence of being a female flower that requires a pollinating variety, and regardless of the susceptibility to fungal diseases, Herzegovina is still not giving up on it. Because of these shortcomings (making it a rather special variety), i.e. the fact that unlike other hermaphrodite varieties it has only the female flower, so it requires special care, the winemakers of Peljesac call it zlorod (bad yield), and those around Dubrovnik call it praznobacva (empty barrel).
Blatina is unique because it gives its best in the Mostar wine growing region. Its name comes from the Croatian word blato meaning “mud”. Unlike Zilavka that is an ideal variety for stony and tough terrains, Blatina likes richer soils, like the one upstream of Neretva river.
In the area between the Adriatic coast and the mountain range of Central Bosnia, below Mostar on the left side near Brotnjo plateau and the village by the name of Paoca not far from Citluk, lie the vineyards and the family cellar “Andrija”.
This 2003 Blatina is a good example of a good wine that Blatina can produce on typical locations in a good year. However, we think it lacks a bit of class. It has a dark red color, a poorly expressed fragrance, but with a full taste. The wine is smooth, especially with food, but we think it doesn’t have enough fruit and spice notes in order to be called an impeccable wine in terms of “technical” execution. On the mouth it is full and nicely bodied, with a dry taste and a slightly increased acidity that is not a problem. A bit of cloves and pepper is felt in the aftertaste.
Best paired with: lamb, cheese from sheep’s paunch. Source: Gastro.hr recommends fried Neretva frogs and eel stew.
Serving temperature: 16-18°C
Price: HRK 50
Source: Gastro.hr
Mostar wine growing region
Blatina is the best known indigenous red grape variety of Herzegovina, from where it spread to a few locations in Dalmatia. Regardless of the irregular yield, a consequence of being a female flower that requires a pollinating variety, and regardless of the susceptibility to fungal diseases, Herzegovina is still not giving up on it. Because of these shortcomings (making it a rather special variety), i.e. the fact that unlike other hermaphrodite varieties it has only the female flower, so it requires special care, the winemakers of Peljesac call it zlorod (bad yield), and those around Dubrovnik call it praznobacva (empty barrel).
Blatina is unique because it gives its best in the Mostar wine growing region. Its name comes from the Croatian word blato meaning “mud”. Unlike Zilavka that is an ideal variety for stony and tough terrains, Blatina likes richer soils, like the one upstream of Neretva river.
In the area between the Adriatic coast and the mountain range of Central Bosnia, below Mostar on the left side near Brotnjo plateau and the village by the name of Paoca not far from Citluk, lie the vineyards and the family cellar “Andrija”.
This 2003 Blatina is a good example of a good wine that Blatina can produce on typical locations in a good year. However, we think it lacks a bit of class. It has a dark red color, a poorly expressed fragrance, but with a full taste. The wine is smooth, especially with food, but we think it doesn’t have enough fruit and spice notes in order to be called an impeccable wine in terms of “technical” execution. On the mouth it is full and nicely bodied, with a dry taste and a slightly increased acidity that is not a problem. A bit of cloves and pepper is felt in the aftertaste.
Best paired with: lamb, cheese from sheep’s paunch. Source: Gastro.hr recommends fried Neretva frogs and eel stew.
Serving temperature: 16-18°C
Price: HRK 50
Source: Gastro.hr
