Vranac (Vranac, Vranec) – a dark-skinned grape variety originally from the slopes of Montenegro. It produces crisp wine with intense color and aromas of wild cherry, Cassis, BlackBerry and even hints of dark chocolate, vanilla and menthol notes.
Vranac is literally translated as “strong black” and resembles the Russian word for “crow”, which reflects quite well the character of this wine.
Vranac is considered to be an ancient variety. There is evidence of his presence in the Montenegrin slopes in the Middle ages. It is often confused with the Primitivo, with whom he is very close: a DNA study showed that one evolved from the other. Both of these varieties are often used in blends, but the popular Vranac and as monosortovogo wine.
Planting varieties Vranac take at least half of all vineyards of Montenegro, and today it is the most commercially important cultivar in the country. It is widely spoken in neighbouring Macedonia , and to a lesser extent, in Croatia.
Vranac is well adapted to complex and dry conditions in this part of Europe and was not seen in any significant quantities anywhere else.
Vine Vranac produces small clusters of large berries with thin skins, which are traditionally prized as table grapes. This hardy, high-yielding variety, but very susceptible to frost and Botrytis.
Its high sugar content of the berries indicates a high level of potential alcohol in the wine. In the aftertaste is a pleasant bitterness recognizable as the Italian Primitivo. High tannin and good acidity allow the cultivar Vranac well with the aging in oak barrels, where the wine acquires tones of vanilla and spices. Often these wines have the aging potential.
Gourmet couples to wine of Vranac:
- Goulash
- Beef ribs BBQ
- Hard sheep’s cheese like Manchego
Source: portal wine-sercher.com 2018