Wines Unspecified Zlatno Brdo - Otilija Graševina - 2023

Viniou Reviews

Zlatno Brdo’s Otilija Graševina 2023 is an expressive Croatian white, crafted exclusively from the Graševina grape, also known as Welschriesling. This fresh vintage reveals the vibrant energy characteristic of youthful Graševina, with a pale straw colour in the glass and a nose delivering aromas of green apple, pear, wild flowers, and a subtle flinty undertone. The palate is lively, marked by citrus zest, white peach and a touch of herbal crispness, underpinned by a refreshing, linear acidity. Vinification details remain discreet with this cuvée, yet its purity and fruit expression suggest a focus on stainless steel fermentation to best capture the variety’s lively personality.

The Baranja region, nestled in northeastern Croatia along the Danube, is renowned for its unique terroir. A temperate continental climate, with warm summers and cool, misty autumns, allows indigenous white varieties like Graševina to ripen slowly, developing both aromatic complexity and balanced acidity. Baranja’s fertile, loess-rich soils, interspersed with clay and sand, impart a hallmark minerality and finesse to the region’s whites. Viticulture here stretches back centuries, influenced by Hungarian, Ottoman, and Austro-Hungarian traditions that have woven a rich tapestry of wine culture and regional gastronomy.

In terms of food pairings, Zlatno Brdo’s Otilija Graševina is a wonderfully adaptable partner. Its fresh acidity and subtle aromatic profile make it ideal with light appetisers such as marinated freshwater fish, grilled shrimp, or delicate vegetable terrines. For a more regional approach, the wine pairs beautifully with Slavonian kulen—a mildly spicy sausage—or pike perch in a light dill and lemon sauce. It also welcomes mild goat’s cheese and simple salads featuring summer herbs.

For the best tasting experience, serve this Graševina chilled but not ice cold, ideally at 8-10°C. At this temperature, you’ll appreciate both its aromatic freshness and its textural elegance. Decanting is not necessary, but allowing the wine a few minutes in the glass will help its nuanced fruit and minerality unfold.