It is well known how it is Požega - Slavonian County developed a tradition of viticulture the production of which began as early as 1232. That's when they are Cistercian monks in Kutjevo built a basement which is one of the oldest in Southeast Europe. It is associated with a well-known curiosity about Baron Trenk and Empress Maria Theresa who supposedly loved him.
You can still experience stories about wine, love and viticulture in this golden valley, which is because of all the above most famous for its wine. However, there are some other facts that give a special charm to this Slavonian wine story, which many do not know. For example, do you know how there is one geographical connection of this wine-growing region with some of the most famous wine-growing regions in the world?
A lesser known curiosity is associated with Kutjevo vineyards located on the 45,3 parallel. It's the same a parallel running through world-famous wine-growing areas such as Piedmont, Val du Rhone, Bordeaux and Oregon. It is an area where predominantly white varieties are grown, and it comes first Graševina. Obviously Graševina loves this parallel, and Graševina is loved by all wine lovers.
Klikun came as a gift
This area is full of stories, and this interesting story tells of the arrival of a variety in Pleternica. In the Pleternica area vines began to be planted in the time of Emperor Domitian and Probus. The story of wine is connected with the story that it is even known from France oak barrels of the famous pedunculate oak for barrique barrels came Madame Cliqout, who as a widow in France inherited vineyards and developed a good business.
The conditions achieved with these barrels allow the wines to absorb some of the tannins from the barrel. Madam Cliqout, coming to Slavonia, gave a gift to this region seedlings of wine varieties from which the famous variety later emerged “Click”Which otherwise gives an interesting greenish wine.
Slavonian Graševina
When we look wine regions of Croatiae, Slavonia has been for decades Croatian Empire of White Varieties, so in Slavonian vineyards still grow many international varieties popular in the world, such as Pinot Gris and White, Rhine Riesling, Chardonnay, Traminer, Sauvignon, but has been sitting on the throne for years Riesling. It is this Slavonian county that is responsible for this royal position in the wine world.
Although it is actually another international white variety, Graševina production in this wine region it has been brought to those levels that many identify with Slavonia and perceived as indigenous. It is the most widespread and most popular of the wine varieties that grow on our soil, and winemakers from it produce a whole range of different styles of wine for every occasion. Although Slavonia used to be a place where red grape varieties could be found frankovke, kadarke and portugisca, in the vineyards of this region, these varieties have only recently begun to be grown again, accompanied by Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zweigelt.
Large areas covered with landscaped vineyards have not always been a guarantee of wine quality, but in recent times winemakers are working hard to elevate their production to a higher level. At the same time, new, smaller producers are appearing in the whole of Slavonia and the Danube region, turning their crops into award-winning wine labels.
Cover photo: Wine story - Požega-Slavonia County Tourist Board
Article originally published on October 8, 2020.
