Young wines, such as last year’s refreshing Graševinas from Slavonia and the Danube region, the fine Silvaners from Continental Croatia, the Malvazijas or Žlahtinas from Istria and Kvarner and the Pošips and even Kujundžušas from Dalmatia, are perfect for summer.
Wines taste better when you feel good
They are also ideal for vacations, a time when people are more carefree and open to the nectar of Bacchus. Spend a worry-free day by the sea with the touch of the sun and good company, and a great many wines will seem truly excellent.
The first day of autumn, much like today, given the prevailing weather conditions, will alter the impression a wine makes. A wine that was excellent in summer may suddenly seem banal and uninteresting, even though it hasn't changed.
As the weather changes, so do we
But we have changed, and will find ourselves drawn to fuller-bodied, more serious, and, one might say, warmer wines. By warm, we mean wines with greater breadth and richness, as well as those with an extra year of maturity. A fine Slavonian or Istrian Chardonnay fits the bill perfectly, offering a lovely sense of warmth. The same goes for a Dalmatian Chardonnay, such as the one from the Grabovac winery, or one of the many excellent Rieslings from the hilly regions of Croatia.
We might classify Frankovka (Blaufränkisch), also known as Borgonja, and younger Merlots from Continental Croatia and Istria, as well as Lasina and Crljenak from Dalmatia, as autumn red wines. In winter, we consume heartier dishes that pair well with fuller-bodied wines; thus, we are warmed by Plavac, Cabernet Sauvignon, and mature Teran.
Character matters, not variety or color
Spring then delights us with refreshing rosés, though, let’s be honest, a good Pinot Noir is the wine that can be enjoyed equally well in any season. Sparkling wines, too, of course. With bubbles, character is far more important than grape variety or color.
Based on their character, they can be classified into four categories. Sparkling wines with spirit are the freshest and are consumed before a meal or with appetizers. One might call them spring or summer wines. Those with body are fuller and broader, making them excellent autumn companions for white meat and the finest fish.
Rarely consumed, long remembered
Sparkling wines with heart are aged longer, making them suitable for darker meats, and it is never too cold to enjoy them, even in winter. Sparkling wines with soul, on the other hand, are magnificent, mature wines that can be enjoyed at any time. Unfortunately, they are rarely consumed, but they are never forgotten.