Wines Kutjevo Enjingi - Graševina - 2009

Viniou Reviews

The Enjingi Cuvée Graševina 2009 from Kutjevo, Slavonia, is a compelling expression of one of Croatia’s most celebrated indigenous white grape varieties, Graševina (also known as Welschriesling). The 2009 vintage offers maturity, which allows the wine’s character and complexity to fully reveal themselves. The vineyards around Kutjevo enjoy a favourable microclimate, with gentle hillside slopes benefiting from ample sunlight and good drainage. While this cuvée focuses on Graševina, there may be a subtle blend of other regional varieties, lending an even broader aromatic palette and a well-rounded structure. Enjingi, the producer, practices attentive vineyard management that highlights the typicity of the local terroir, resulting in elegantly vinified wines with great ageing potential.

Slavonia is an historic wine region in eastern Croatia, steeped in viticultural tradition that dates back to Roman times. The area around Kutjevo is particularly famed for its white wines, thanks to a continental climate marked by warm summers and cold winters—ideal for producing vibrant, fresh, and aromatic wines. The soils in Slavonia, composed mostly of loess, clay, and limestone, promote good drainage and impart a distinctive mineral edge and finesse to the wines. The combination of climate and soil composition allows local grape varieties such as Graševina to shine, offering balanced acidity and lots of personality.

For food pairings, this matured, dry white wine suits a wide range of dishes, especially those with delicacy and freshness. Consider serving it alongside lightly grilled fish such as Adriatic sea bass, shellfish risotto, or roast poultry with fresh herbs. The wine’s lively acidity and hints of dried orchard fruit make it a classic match for regional dishes like štrukli (cheese pastry) or cold cuts with Slavonian kulen (a spicy sausage). Soft cheeses and vegetable terrines are also fine companions.

For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine lightly chilled, ideally between 10 and 12°C. Decanting is not necessary, but allowing it a few minutes in the glass before tasting will let its nuanced aromas blossom fully, revealing the wine’s subtle notes and elegant structure.