The origin of Žilavka is unknown, they wrote about about the most important white variety in Herzegovina. It is considered an indigenous and was mentioned as early as the 14th century. In Croatia, it is widespread in the Dalmatian hinterland and other Dalmatian vineyards, and interest in planting it is growing. It is also grown to a lesser extent in North Macedonia. It is the leading white variety in Herzegovina, and from warmer, drier and stony locations it produces high-quality wines. Quality was demonstrated by the tenth BLAŽ Enology festival in Međugorje. BLAŽ is an abbreviation of Blatina and Žilavka, and those letters are also the first of the word blažen, meaning blessed. Below are ten wine recommendations from these two varieties and some other...
The Žilavka from the debuting Luca winery from Ljubuški was certainly the most beautiful surprise. The winemaker is Božen Spajić, and the 2022 Luca Žilavka Selekcija is a wine with very layered aromas and a rich taste in which nothing in particular stands out: it enchants with its very evenness. The Humka 2023 from the Sušac winery from the Cerno near Ljubuški is steady, expressive and powerful. The Krš Bijeli 2024 from the Škegro winery from Radišić, a part of Ljubuški, is similarly firm and very mineral.
Of course, the Brkić winery from Čitluk also delighted with the žilavka. Not with one, but with four of them. The young one bears the name of the variety, Greda is from 2021 vintage, Mjesečar is 2022, and Amphora, a long-macerated wine, also from 2021. Josip Brkić and sons also offered Grečica 2023, a rosé made from Blatina. Blatina Vina Milas from Humac also left a great impression, but in a red version. With the classic one, as well as with the one labeled Reserve. The Dodig winery from Međugorje also presented very good Blatina, with a style similar to Milas's, full and powerful, perhaps a little atypical in strength. Niko Dodig brought also very good Trnjak (Thorn).
The Tolj winery from Blatnica near Čitluk delighted with the Trnjak 2021 named Prozračac, which is a wine-growing location, and can be translated as airy. Wine is powerful, bursting with strength, a real bomb in the glass that shows where the extreme limits of the variety are. If there are any. It is on the border of dry and semi-dry, because it simply could not ferment till the end. Jeanne Cabernet Sauvignon Special Edition by Carska vina Grgo Vasilj is the best wine from this variety in Herzegovina. It is a powerful, but elegant CabSauv, fruity and spicy and tannic and soft at the same time, no matter how strange that may seem.
The Knebu winery from Tomislavgrad, well known for its excellent Traminer, this time delighted with the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, made out of grapes from vineyards at 900 meters above sea level. Because of that hight the name of the winery means Up to the sky. The aroma of high altitude Sauvignon is, of course, varietal recognizable, but unexpectedly broad, without peaks and edges. The taste, on the other hand, bursts with strength and makes you think. It is not drunk quickly, and it is better that way: it is enjoyed for longer. The 2022 Two Sisters Cuvée White 2022 from the Majić winery from Cerno was also excellent. Varieties are Pošip (50%), Chardonnay(40), and Žilavka and the wine deserves a rating of 10.
BLAŽ Enology was once again an event to remember. The grove of the Medjugorje Sports Center is ideal for socializing even in the late afternoon hours when it is still quite warm. The stage is behind the pool, so the music does not interfere with the conversation, but rather provides a nice soundscape, and the vast majority of visitors are in a very good mood. Thanks to the fine wines, of course. The fun stretches long into the night, and the morning brings a little regret that it is all over and a great desire to come back next year.
Photos: Ivana Pranjić, Cork Croatia