Plešivica is sometimes referred to as "Croatia's Champagne," as the region is famed for its sparkling wines and its calcareous soils resembling those found in the Champagne region. The vineyards are mostly planted with international varieties, such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah. About 70% of their vineyards are planted with white grapes, and the grapes commonly have high acidity.
We made a stop at the Korak Winery, which is well known for its quality Sparkling Wines. Back in 2019, on my first trip to Croatia, I visited this winery, so you should check out my prior article, Korak Family Estate: Plešivica, Sparkling Wine & Riesling, for more information and background about this winery.
As we started our tour, we enjoyed a glass of the Korak Sparkling Rosé Nature, made from 100% Pinot Noir, which I loved back in 2019 and I was equally as enamored this time. This wine was aged on the lees for 3 years and has no dosage. I previously referred to it as a "hedonistic pleasure" and I'll stand by that characterization. Highly recommended!
We sat inside at their tasting bar, sampling a number of their wines and enjoying some home-made snacks. There was sausage with garlic, speck, and smoked pork shoulder, all of the meats having been made on the premises by the father. There was also homemade cultured butter, 2 goat cheeses (1 year and 2 years old), and fresh sourdough bread. Everything was quite delicious.
The 2016 Korak Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine was produced from 100% Chardonnay, which underwent a quick pressing and fermentation, and spent about 4.5 years on the less, without any dosage. It was very dry, with crisp acidity, fresh flavors of apple, a yeasty element and a backbone of minerality. Delicious, with tiny bubbles, a lengthy finish, and a refreshing taste. This is serious sparkling wine.
The 2021 Korak Sauvignon Blanc Klemenka, at 12.5% ABV, spent about six months in the barrel. It was very similar to my previous tasting of the 2017 vintage, being fresh and dry, with bright citrus and grapefruit flavors, and a minerality backbone. The style was more akin to French rather than New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
The 2020 Korak Laškorec Rajnski Riezling ("Rhine Riesling), from an organic vineyard, spent about six months in large barrels of Slavonian oak. I previously tasted the 2018 vintage, and believe this vintage is even better. The nose was very aromatic, and on the palate it was dry, complex and intriguing, with spice notes, flavors of citrus, a strong minerality, and a lingering finish. This vintage was more complex than the 2018, and an example of how Croatian wineries can produce excellent Riesling.
The 2019 Korak Laškorec Chardonnay Sur Lie was fermented in small French barrels, sat on the lees for a year, and then was aged in large oak barrels. I previously enjoyed the 2017 vintage, and once again the wine presented citrus and apple flavors, with a hint of smoke, and a pleasant richness. Definitely one of the better Chardonnays I tasted while in Croatia.
The 2019 Korak Križevac & Cimbuščak Pinot Crni, with a 13.5% ABV, is made from 100% Pinot Noir. Most of their Pinot is used to make Sparkling Wines but we were told it has great potential for still wines as well. They have two vineyards of Pinot, from 1998 and 2003. This wines was aged for 1 year in small French oak and then 1 year in Slovenian oak. I previously tasted the 2017 vintage, and found the 2019 vintage to be even better. It was elegant and delicious, light-bodied and with a complex melange of cherry, raspberry, subtle spices, and a hint of earth. Well balanced, good acidity, and a lengthy finish. Highly recommended.
The final wine was unique, a 2018 Amber wine inspired by "In Search of Lost Time" by Marcel Proust. The wine was an intriguing field blend of grapes, many old vines, including Šipelj, Belina, Plavac Zuti, Rizvanac, Grasevina, Veltliner, Silvanac, and Traminac. The grapes were macerated for about 60 days, natural yeasts were used, and there was no added sulfur. Only 500 bottles were produced. This was an amazing wine, complex and well balanced, with such a depth of flavor. Tannic, herbal notes, subtle spices, dried fruits, minerality, and much more. Great acidity and a long, lingering finish. Each sip delights the palate, bringing something new with each taste. One of the more unique wines I tasted in Croatia. Highly recommended!
My return visit to Korak was as impressive as my prior trip, and some of their wines were even better this time. Their Sparkling Wines are excellent, quality bubbly which would please any wine lover. And their Amber wine was amazing. This winery should definitely be one of your destinations if you visit Croatia.
As we started our tour, we enjoyed a glass of the Korak Sparkling Rosé Nature, made from 100% Pinot Noir, which I loved back in 2019 and I was equally as enamored this time. This wine was aged on the lees for 3 years and has no dosage. I previously referred to it as a "hedonistic pleasure" and I'll stand by that characterization. Highly recommended!
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