Sommelier Sinisa Lasan - WINES OF VARAZDIN COUNTY

Organoleptic characteristics of the best wines

from Varazdin County

Vintages 2019. and 2020.

Although thousands of wineries around the world cultivate the same grape varieties, wines differ, sometimes unexpectedly. Globally, differences are influenced by distances between continents, hemispheres, and typical climatic zones. Differences also exist within much smaller areas, within a single wine region/subregion or county. The most common factors creating differences are vineyard location, soil composition, water, and the winemaker's personality in approaching viticulture. Differences are recognized in aromatic and flavor details, acidity levels, residual sugar after fermentation, alcohol content, vintage year, or nuances in the method and duration of wine aging before being released for sale.

To provide a more comprehensive range of wine knowledge or assistance in selecting wines during a visit to one of the wineries, we present the most important organoleptic characteristics specific to grape varieties and wines from Varazdin County, vintages 2019 and 2020.

Tasting impressions are presented by Sinisa Lasan, multiple Croatian sommelier champion and member of the International Decanter judging panel in London.

Riesling 2019.

Crystal clear, golden yellow color, quite dense. The aroma is clean, of fine quality and pronounced intensity. There are aromas of ripe tropical fruit, ripe apples, white flowers with hints of petroleum. The wine is dry, warm, soft, with medium-plus acidity, medium alcohol content, and pronounced minerality. On the palate, there are flavors of ripe citrus fruits. The wine is tasty, well-rounded, mature, balanced, harmonious, with a long finish and excellent quality.

Grasevina 2020.

Crystal clear, greenish-yellow color, quite dense. The aroma is clean and pleasant, with a pronounced intensity and fine quality. There are aromas of green fruits like green apples and pears, citrus, and grass. The wine is dry, moderately warm, soft, with medium-plus acidity, medium alcohol content, and a pronounced fine minerality. It is well-balanced, and the taste also features green fruit notes. It is long-lasting and of good quality.

Incrocio Manzoni 2020.

Crystal clear, greenish to straw yellow color, quite dense. The aroma is clean, of fine quality, with a very beautiful and pronounced aromatic profile, long-lasting, and complex. The predominant aromas are ripe yellow apples, ripe citrus, and yellow flowers. The wine is dry, warm, soft, with medium to medium-plus acidity, medium alcohol content, and rich minerality. The taste is full, with prominent notes of ripe fruit, a slightly oily structure, very good balance and persistence, enjoyable and beautiful.

Pinot Gris 2020.

Crystal clear, greenish-yellow color, quite dense. The aroma is clean, with a moderate intensity. Classic varietal aromas are present, such as lemon, green apple, and white peach. The wine is dry, very fresh, with crisp medium-plus acidity, medium alcohol content, and pronounced minerality. On the palate, there is a presence of fresh fruit flavors. The wine is well-balanced, moderately persistent, and finishes with a slight bitterness.

Pinot Gris 2020 (blush)

Crystal clear, light copper color, quite dense. The aroma is clean, of fine quality, dominated by aromas of rose, strawberry, and red cherry, with a fine and persistent scent. The wine is dry, very elegant on the palate, with a pronounced fruitiness, especially red fruit and floral notes. Mineral notes are also evident. The acidity and alcohol are moderate, and it is well-balanced, delicately oily, and persistent.

Sauvignon Blanc 2020.

Crystal clear, lively greenish-yellow color, quite dense. The aroma is clean and of fine quality, with a pronounced intensity. Classic varietal aromas such as green pepper, elderflower, grass, citrus, and green fruit are present. The aroma is elegant and long-lasting. The wine is dry, quite warm, soft, with medium-plus acidity and medium alcohol content, and a very pronounced stony minerality. It has a lighter to medium body, is well-balanced, fresh, easy-drinking, and lively.

Yellow Muscat 2020.

Crystal clear, greenish to straw yellow color, quite dense. The aroma is clean and pleasant, with a pronounced intensity. Classic Muscat aromas are present, with a nice floral scent and fine ripe fruitiness. The wine is off-dry, warm, soft, with medium-plus acidity and medium alcohol content. The residual sugar is well integrated and rounds off the wine. The taste reflects the aromas, with good balance. It is enjoyable, drinkable, and fine.

White Pinot 2020.

Crystal clear, golden yellow color, quite dense. The aroma is clean, with a pronounced intensity and fine quality. Ripe fruit predominates, especially ripe tropical fruit, grapefruit, and bananas. The wine is dry, warm, elegant, and very refined, with medium alcohol content, medium-plus acidity, and a present and fine minerality. On the palate, ripe citrus flavors prevail, the wine is balanced, long-lasting, and of good quality.

Chardonnay 2020.

Crystal clear, straw yellow color with greenish edges, quite dense. The aroma is clean and pleasant, with an expressive intensity. Aromas of stone fruits such as peach, ripe citrus, and ripe tropical fruit prevail. The wine is dry, with medium-plus acidity, medium alcohol content, and pronounced minerality. The taste exhibits fine fruitiness, the wine is light to moderate-bodied and elegant.

Chardonnay sur lie 2017.

Crystal clear, golden yellow color, quite dense. The aroma is clean, of fine quality, with pronounced intensity. The aromatics are complex and long-lasting, dominated by aromas of ripe yellow fruit, apricot, ripe melon, followed by aromas of butter, smoke, hazelnut, and vanilla. The wine is dry, warm, quite smooth, with medium acidity and alcohol, and pronounced minerality. It is medium to full-bodied, with a rich taste of ripe fruit, buttery notes, vanilla, well-balanced, harmonious, long-lasting, and of excellent quality.

Traminac 2019.

Crystal clear, golden yellow color, dense. The aroma is clean and very intense, with abundant aromas of dried fruit, apricot, dried peach, candied fruit, lychee, beautiful floral notes, excellent quality, and persistence. It has a semi-sweet taste, quite warm and dense, with medium-plus alcohol content, medium acidity, and moderately pronounced minerality. The taste corresponds to the aromas on the nose, dominated by dried fruit, especially peach and apricot. The wine is nicely balanced and long-lasting.

Rosé 2020.

Crystal clear, onion skin color, quite dense. The aroma is clean, of medium intensity, very pleasant and fine quality, with aromas of rose, raspberry, and cherry. The wine is dry, warm, fresh, with medium alcohol content and medium acidity, and a pleasant and pronounced minerality. On the palate, there is a delicate fruitiness, with raspberry and red cherry prevailing. The wine has medium-lasting duration, a nice balance, and is very refined.

Grasevina natur

Crystal clear, straw yellow color, quite dense to dense. The aroma is clean and pleasant, of expressive intensity and long-lasting. It is dominated by aromas of ripe yellow fruit, ripe citrus, freshly cut grass, with honeyed components. The wine is dry, warm, with medium acidity and alcohol, and medium-bodied. On the palate, there is ripe fruit present, it is lively and structured, complex, balanced, pleasant, easy to drink, and fairly persistent.

Grasevina late harvest 2013.

Crystal clear, deep golden color, dense. The aroma is clean, with pronounced intensity, very aromatic, abundant ripe fruit, botrytis, dried apricot, dried peach, dried apple, slightly candied fruit, very fine quality, and long-lasting. It has a semi-sweet taste, with a very good balance of acidity and alcohol, beautiful ripe fruitiness, and a slight botrytis note as on the nose. It is very fine, drinkable, and long-lasting.

Assortment 2020.

Crystal clear, golden yellow color, quite dense. The aroma is clean and pleasant, moderately intense, of fine quality. Dominant aromas of ripe stone fruits such as apricot and peach, with pronounced floral notes of yellow flowers. The wine is dry, warm, smooth, with medium acidity and alcohol, and a pronounced minerality. It has a medium body, with flavors of ripe fruit and hints of green fruit, fine and drinkable, of moderate duration.

Honest Guy Cuvée 2020.

Crystal clear, greenish to straw yellow color, quite dense. The aroma is clean and highly pleasant, of fine quality, with pronounced intensity. Aromatically complex, ranging from greener to ripe fruits, citrus, apples, white flowers, white peach. The wine is dry, with well-balanced alcohol and acidity, medium-bodied. The fruitiness is well-integrated, with a presence of minerality. It is tasty, long-lasting, and of very good quality.

Pinot Noir

Clear, ruby red color with garnet edges, light color intensity, quite dense. The aroma is clean, pleasant, of fine quality, with pronounced and long-lasting intensity. Predominant aromas of red fruits such as raspberry and cherry, floral notes of violet, and sweet spice and vanilla aromas. The wine is dry, moderately warm, smooth, with medium acidity and alcohol, and a very light and elegant tannic structure. On the palate, the fruitiness is finely emphasized, accompanied by spicy aromas, and the oak is well-integrated. It is well-balanced, harmonious, long-lasting, with good aging potential and high quality.

Cuvée Sparkling Wine

Crystal clear, golden yellow color, beautiful sparkling with numerous bubbles. The aroma is clean, of medium intensity, very pleasant, of fine quality. Dominant aromas of stone fruits, peach, apricot, and yeast and toasty aromas. The wine is dry, with a very refreshing taste, pronounced acidity and moderate alcohol, very well balanced, fine, pleasant, and drinkable.

Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine 2018.

Crystal clear, golden yellow color, quite dense to dense, with very fine sparkling and numerous small persistent bubbles. The aroma is clean, of very fine quality, with pronounced intensity, complex, and long-lasting. Classic aromas of the traditional method are present, yeast, toast, brioche, smoke, toasted hazelnuts, followed by ripe fruits such as apricot, peach, and ripe yellow lemon. The wine is dry, with medium-plus acidity, medium alcohol, and rich fine minerality. On the palate, the aromas present on the nose are present, it is very complex and rich, excellently balanced, long-lasting, and of high quality.

Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine 2018. Brut Nature

Crystal clear, golden yellow color, quite dense, with medium-plus to intense sparkling, numerous small bubbles with plenty of sources. The aroma is clean, with pronounced intensity and fine quality. Dominant aromas of peach, ripe apple, floral notes of violet, with persistent and elegant aromatics. The wine is dry, with medium-plus acidity, medium alcohol, and pronounced minerality. On the palate, ripe tropical fruit and yeast aromas are present. It is soft, elegant, rounded, tasty, long-lasting, and of high quality.


Find more about the mentioned wines at LIST OF VARAZDIN WINES AWARDED BY DECANTER.

NOTE: Some texts and photos with courtesy of Varazdin County.