Wine Club – September – Vranac

Wine Club met this past Thursday to try two wines made from the Vranac grape. Vranac is a grape that is native to the Baltic region. Both of the wines we tried were from Montenegro and were from the Plantaze winery. The Pro Corde Reserve made from just Vranac whereas the Perla Nera was made from a blend of Vranac and Syrah.

Here is the LCBO Information on both -

PLANTAZE PRO CORDE RESERVE VRANAC 2006

Stock Number – 972976
750 mL bottle
Price: $ 15.95
Wine, Red Wine,
12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : D
Made in: Montenegro, Montenegro
By: Dd Plantaze
Release Date: May 23, 2009

Tasting Note - Vranac is a specialty in Montenegro. DNA analysis has uncovered that it is a close cousin to Primitivo/Zinfandel. It shares with that variety the deep colour and rich fruit flavours. It responds extremely well to oak ageing, creating wines of even more intensity and dimension. Cellar this one 1-3 years or enjoy it with game bird, slow-cooked roasts or barbecued meats.

PLANTAZE PERLA NERA 2005

Price: $ 11.95
Wine, Red Wine,
12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Made in: Montenegro, Montenegro
By: Dd Plantaze
Release Date: May 23, 2009

Tasting notes – Montenegro is a little bit off the beaten track for some wine lovers, but, with a viticultural history that dates back to the second century B.C., it is a country well worth discovering. This medium full-bodied gem is a blend of Negroamaro (best known in the wines of southern Italy), the local variety Vranac, and the international superstar Syrah. Deep, dark and delicious, this round and approachable wine displays rich black fruit and exotic spicy notes.

Pouring out both wines I was amazed how dark these wines were, the Pro Corde Reserve was a deep purple-red that was almost opaque; the Perla Nera’s colour was the same but the colour depth was less.

Nosing both wines, the Pro Corde Reserve’s was slightly more aromatic of the two. The Pro Corde Reserve has aromas of dark berry and tar. The Perla Nera had an earthy and white pepper aroma to it.

Tasting the Pro Corde Reserve I was surprise to find it more of a meduim bodied wine; by the colour and aromas I was expecting it to be much more full bodied. The dark berry nose carried over to the flavour profile as well. The structure of the wine with its subtle tannin gave the wine a very narrow mouth-feel.

The Perla Nera was disappointing on the tasting. There was a metalic quality to the wine which overpowered anything else the wine had to offer.

Harold was nice enough to bring in a selection of cheese and crackers and Dorie did a soy sauce, garlic, olive oil and rosemary goat cheese dish as well. The Pro Corde Reserve went nicely with all of the cheeses. The Perla Nera was OK with everything but the metalic taste was still present.

All of Wine Club was overjoyed that the take home bottle was the Pro Corde Reserve and not the Perla Nera.

I liked the Pro Corde Reserve but at its $16 price point there are other wines that are better value for money.

Cheers!

Mark