Traditional feast of St. Domnius – Splitska Sudamja
May 7, 2020
Foodies paradise in Dalmatia – part 1
May 7, 2020
Let's talk Dalmatia & “wine”
Dalmatia is divided into three sub-regions: northern Dalmatia, central and southern Dalmatia and the Dalmatian hinterland. In northern Dalmatia, with the exception of the Primosten vineyards, the vineyards are far from the coast. The wines here are more fresh and “alive” than in southern Dalmatia. Northern Dalmatia do not have the characteristics of the continental climate that can be found in the Dalmatian hinterland. Central and southern Dalmatia is a typical Mediterranean region and almost all varieties that can be found there are indigenous. Due to centuries of adaptation to climate and soil, they give the best results on sunny slopes facing the sea.
South Dalmatia - Dubrovnik, Korčula, Pelješac, Mljet, Lastovo, Orebić, Ston,..
Viticulture and winemaking arrived in Dalmatia with the Greek colonizers. The centers of distant spread throughout the rest of the region were their colonies Cavtat (Epidaurus), and Korcula (Korkyra). On Korčula and Pelješac, the tradition has been maintained without major problems from then until today. The Republic of Dubrovnik was most responsible for preserving viticulture through those difficult colonial times. Viticulture was highly valued in Dubrovnik, as evidenced by the many documents and city statutes that regulated wine production and trade. Such historical circumstances have favored the development and preservation of indigenous varieties that have been preserved until this day.
He was born in todays Syria, and at the time Diocletian persecuted Christians he was a bishop in Salona, the capital of the province of Dalmatia, just a few kilometers from today's Split. Diocletian himself had him imprisoned in 304, and - according to legend - when the bishop revived the dead before the imperial governor Marcus Aurelius Junius, he was executed with other martyrs in the amphitheater in Salona, and buried in a cemetery outside the walls of Salona. It seemed that the Roman Empire would live forever, one year after Dujams' death, Diocletian retired and moved into his new palace near Salona, but history started to go differently. In the seventh century, Dujam's remains were transferred to Split, and the mausoleum of the emperor who executed him became a cathedral.
History can sometimes be ironic, as it is ironic that today's Split derives its identity from the legacy of two mortal enemies - Diocletian and Dujam. The Diocletian at the end experienced in many ways the destiny he had intended for Dujam, because today we are not even aware of the place where Diocletian is buried.On the other hand, if it were not for the worship of Dujam, Split would not be the same as we know it these days.
Typical representatives of black varieties
Plavac mali
Typical representatives of white varieties
Pošip
Greek
Malvasia dubrovačka
Maraschino or Rukatac
The most important vineyards
Pelješac vineyards
Vineyards of Korcula
Konavle vineyards
Komarna vineyards
Central Dalmatia - Split, Brač, Hvar, Omiš, Makarska, Vis, Trogir, Omiš
Croatian viticulture and winemaking were born in this region. Thanks to the international fame of the ancient Greek colonies in wine-making on the islands of Vis and Hvar, it rightly gives these islands the flattering title of the cradle of Croatian wine-making. The importance of wine-making for the population of these islands is best evidenced by the images of grapes and wine goblets on coins from that time, as well as numerous archaeological finds of Greek goblets and wine vessels.
Viticulture quickly spread throughout Dalmatia and has continuously remained one of the most important agricultural crops. The Romans gave viticulture even greater importance than its predecessors and expanded it throughout their empire, and the Croats, upon arrival in these areas took over and preserved the local tradition of wine-making to this day ..
Typical representatives of black varieties
Plavac mali
Typical representatives of white varieties
Posip
Vugava
The most important vineyards
Hvar vineyards
Vineyards Vis
Vineyards of Brač
Northern Dalmatia - Zadar, Šibenik, Pag, Murter, Kornati, Vodice
Northern Dalmatia is a large geographical area with different climatological areas, and yet the same species predominate throughout the region. The interesting thing about the region is that all the wines, both white and red, are rich in acids, which in fact deviates from expectations, because this landscape is dominated by great heat and strong winds. Instead of the expected full and tanned red wines, a fresh, delicate and very drinkable style atypical for this area actually prevails here.
The story of white wines is similar. The valuable acids of maraschino and its mild aromas are most often averages for this wine area. However, there is also the production of different types of wine, but of course in much smaller quantities, still with high values. It especially refers to selected vineyards, such as vineyards from Primošten, Babić, Promina and Oklaja.
Typical representatives of black varieties
Babic
Syrah
Grenache
Plavina
Typical representatives of white varieties
Debit
Maraština
The most important vineyards
Primosten vineyards
Vineyards Pirovac Skradin
Promina vineyards
Benkovac Stankovci vineyards
Dalmatian Hinterland - Knin, Sinj, Drniš, Vrlika, Imotski, Vrgorac
Thanks to the difficult historical circumstances and the isolation of the Dalmatian hinterland, many indigenous varieties in narrow local areas, such as Kujundžuša and Trnjak in Imotski, have preserved their original identity and abundance. At the same time, nowadays more and more popular foreign varieties are grown in this area (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Gris). Conditions for growing vines are in the pedological sense common as in the rest of Dalmatia.
The base is mainly limestone rocks, on which various types of red soil are most often found, as well as other soils. The climate is different, it is very specific, the summer is dry and Mediterranean, the days are hot, often warmer than on the coast, while during other seasons, autumn, winter and spring, it is more continental, with autumn icicles and spring frosts. Therefore, the wines are stylistically significantly different from the island and coastal, where the sea has a stabilizing effect.
Typical representatives of black varieties
Kujundžuša
Typical representatives of white varieties
Trljak
Merlot
The most important vineyards
Imotski vineyards
Vrgorac vineyards
Now, that you are familiar with the best Dalmatian wineries, and when you know what types of wines you can expect to try, you are ready for Dalmatia. Also, for a true traditional experience, as all the locals would advise - always choose a winery before restaurant or a bar. This doesn't mean that the bars and the restaurants have a bad wine, it simply means that if you are at the winery, surrounded with Dalmatian nature, for sure it is going to be a unique experience. Once the host serve you a plate of homemade bread, cheese, Prosciutto, olive oil, etc - you will want to stay there forever.
