Medimurje, the charm of the smallest wine producing region of Croatia

World Croatia

Medimurje,

the charm of the smallest wine producing region of Croatia

Medimurje is located in the «Mesopotamia» of the North of Croatia, 300 metres above sea level. This region is composed of steep hills with round tops and thousands of vines carefully maintained. The region produces respectful, easy-to-drink wines. The varieties are numerous, like Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Pušipel, the unique varietal native from Medimurje. The flavours of Medimurje make life richer and more complete.

On last 8th July, in the lounges of the Ambassy of Croatia in Paris, an enologist-sommelier, especially come from Croatia, hosted and commented the tasting of 12 Croatian wines for the participants. The latter voted for their preferate wines, and here are the results.

1. Cmrecnjak, Sauvignon 2013, 11°5
A light white wine (11°5 proof) of an incredible freshness. A pleasant, very scented wine.

2. Dvanajscak-Kozol, Pušipel 2013, 12°
The pušipel is also called sipon in Slovenia and furmint in Hungary. It is dominated by notes of plants and a lemony freshness, it is at the same time fruity an dmineral. With well-balanced aromas, it has an ageing potential of several years.

3. Kuncic, yellow Muscat 2013
The marvellous scent of floral aromas mingle with the aroma of ripe Muscat. It is a very scented sweet wine with a marked acidity. The sweet and vivid aromas thus alternate in the mouth.

4. Boris Novak, Chardonnay 2011, 12°7
The Chardonnay produced by Boris Novak and his family certainly is one of the most outstanding of the Medimurje region. This wine underlines fruity aromas. It is a supple and well-balanced wine. It owes its magnificent taste to the low quantity of residual that plays with the full body of the Chardonnay.
Its acidity is perfectly dosed.

5. Lovrec, Cabernet Sauvignon - Syrah 2011
An excellent combination of maturity and freshness, roundness and smoothness. This wine reaches harmony, in the full sense of the word. Blackcurrant, blueberry, blackberry and spicy nuances distinguish as the dominant aromas. With its rich and full taste, it remains sober and very soft nonetheless.
It does not have the harsh tannins usually found in these wines; they are ripe. It gives a sweet taste with rich extracts that strengthens its fruitiness, as well as an elegant and long-lasting aftertaste.

4. Boris Novak, Chardonnay 2011, 12°7
Le Chardonnay produit par Boris Novak et sa famille est certainement l’un des plus remarquables de la région de Medimurje. Ce vin souligne des arô­mes fruités. C’est un vin souple, bien équilibré. Son goût somptueux est dû au mariage «ludique» de la faible quantité de sucre non fermenté, avec le corps charpenté du Chardonnay. Son acidité est parfaitement dosée.

5. Lovrec, Cabernet Sauvignon - Syrah 2011
Une excellente combinaison de maturité et de fraîcheur, rondeur et douceur. Ce vin atteint l’harmonie, dans le plein sens du mot. Cassis, myrtille, mûre et tonalités épicées se distinguent parmi les arômes dominants. Avec son goût riche et plein, il reste cependant sobre et très doux. Il n'y a pas de tanins durs habituellement trouvés dans cette variété de vin; ils sont mûrs. Cela donne un arôme sucré avec une richesse d'extrait qui renforce son fruité, ainsi qu'un arrière-goût élégant et durable.
Pascale Tétôt

Office National Croate
de Tourisme
48, avenue Victor Hugo - 75115 Paris
Tél : 00 33 (0)1 45 00 99 55

Ambassade de Croatie
7, square Thiers - 75016 Paris
Tél: 00 33 (0)1 53 70 02 80