Wines Unspecified Enjingi - Sivi Pinot Kasna Berba - 2003

Enjingi’s Sivi Pinot Kasna Berba 2003 presents itself as a fascinating dessert wine from the Slavonia region in Croatia. Produced in half-bottle format, it is likely crafted from Pinot Gris (locally known as Sivi Pinot), with “Kasna Berba” denoting a late harvest style that typically brings extra richness and natural sweetness. The challenging 2003 vintage in many European regions was renowned for its heat, which often brought about intense concentration and expressive aromas in late-harvest wines. You can expect a golden, possibly amber hue given the wine’s age, with likely aromas of dried apricot, honey, orange marmalade, and perhaps a touch of botrytis complexity, underscored by a gentle freshness that maintains balance despite the sweetness.

The Slavonia region is one of Croatia’s most respected areas for quality white wines. Characterised by its continental climate with warm summers and cold winters, the region’s rolling hills and fertile soils, rich in loam and clay, have nurtured vines for centuries. Slavonia has a long winemaking heritage, notably with earlier Austro-Hungarian influences. The area around Kutjevo, where Enjingi is based, is particularly esteemed for its microclimate, providing ideal conditions for late-harvest styles where noble rot can occasionally set in, lending additional complexity to sweet wines.

As for food pairings, this luscious late-harvest white lends itself beautifully to a range of desserts — consider pairing it with fruit tarts, apple strudel, crème brûlée, dried figs or blue cheeses like Gorgonzola or Roquefort. For a regional match, the wine would work harmoniously with Croatian walnut or poppyseed cakes (orasnica or makovnjača) or simply alongside poached pears.

Despite its age, quality sweet whites from reputable producers often retain their verve for many years. Serve slightly chilled, at around 10-12°C, in a small dessert wine glass to best appreciate its aromatic richness and textured palate. Allow the wine a few minutes to open in the glass before savouring its multi-layered character.