Graševina
Graševina
Graševina is by far the most represented among the varietals grown in Hrvatsko Zagorje, with a total area of 132.8 ha under cultivation.
With medium lush canopy, good pollination, and regular yields, Graševina undergoes ripening in the third period.
The varietal starts its annual growth cycle late in the spring, thus avoiding late spring frosts. It is resistant to low temperatures, which makes it suitable for the production of predicate wines. It is adaptable on most Croatian soils, but gives the best results on elevated positions and on lighter and potassium-rich soils. Since it gives poor yields on the basal buds, it requires pruning that leaves long fruitful one-year-old wood. Yields and sugar content in grapes vary, depending on location, ecological growing conditions, and year. The acid level is regularly satisfactory. The wine produced is notable for its exquisite, typical aroma, greenish-yellow colour, pleasant acid level, and moderate alcohol level.
Ranfol
Ranfol
Ranfol or Štajerska Belina, widely known as Gouais Blanc, covers an area of 114.3 ha in Hrvatsko Zagorje.
It is a variety of medium lushness and high yield, which varies from year to year depending on climatic conditions at the time of pollination. It requires elevated and airy positions and a larger vine growing area, as well as cluster thinning.
It ripens in the third period, and its vegetation cycle starts medium late. It gives the best results with mixed pruning that leaves a long fruitful one-year-old wood. It is moderately susceptible to powdery mildew, downy mildew, and Botrytis cinerea (grey mould). The grapes are of below-average quality, especially in conditions of high yield. They are used to produce neutral and light-bodied wines, with a higher level of acidity, suitable for mass production and blending.
Rhein Riesling
Rhein Riesling
With an area of 79.5 ha, Rhine Riesling is the third most represented variety in Hrvatsko Zagorje. It ripens at the beginning of the third period, and since it starts its growth cycle late, it avoids late spring frosts.
It is suitable for mixed pruning, and gives the best results in the southern positions of different types of soil. It is notable for its good pollination and medium yield, and due to its high resistance to low winter temperatures, it is extremely suitable for the production of predicate wines. It has a good affinity with most of the substrates known today, but is susceptible to diseases, especially Botrytis cinerea (grey mould). It is sensitive to excessive nitrogen fertilization.
The wines, especially from good locations, can be of exceptional quality, fruity-floral aromas, and high acid levels, which is why they are often semi-sweet.
Kraljevina
Kraljevina
The Kraljevina variety is distinguished by its strong and lush canopy, high and irregular yield. In Hrvatsko Zagorje it covers an area of 52.3 ha. It ripens in the third period and starts its growth cycle medium late to late, thus avoiding late spring frosts. It is not particularly susceptible to fungal diseases, except in wet years to Botrytis cinerea (grey mould). It is not resistant to low winter temperatures, and the resistance depends on the nutrition and condition of the vine and the time of occurrence of low temperatures during the dormancy period.
It gives extremely high yields, which should be taken into account when choosing to leave the crop load. It gives good results with mixed pruning. It is generally of mediocre quality, but in good locations and permeable and warm soils it gives good quality grapes. The sugar concentration is low to medium and the total acidity level is regularly high.
The wine is fresh and harmonious, with pleasant varietal aromas, bright yellow-green colour, suitable for blending. Kraljevina is distinguished by its high intra-varietal variability, so within the variety we can find different types that differ in colour and appearance of the skin, which generally also affects the quality of the wine, as well.
Silvanac Zeleni or Silvaner
Silvanac Zeleni or Silvaner
In Hrvatsko Zagorje, the Silvanac Zeleni variety covers 32 ha. It ripens at the end of the second and the beginning of the third period, and in the spring it starts its annual growth cycle medium early.
It is a medium lush variety, gives regular yields, and pollination is generally good. It is moderately resistant to winter temperatures, susceptible to fungal diseases, mostly Botrytis cinerea (grey mould), which in wet years can completely destroy the yield. It favours hilly airy locations and fertile, carbonate soils.
The wine is light greenish, harmonious, with fine aromas and flavours, and when there is a good year and a good growing location, with cluster thinning, the wines are of exceptional quality.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
In Hrvatsko Zagorje, the aromatic Sauvignon Blanc variety occupies an area of 30.2 ha. With lush canopy and relatively low yields, the Sauvignon Blanc variety is quite adaptable to different ecological conditions and cultivation systems.
It ripens at the end of the second period, and starts its annual growth cycle relatively late. It is resistant to low temperatures, and due to the later bud break, it is not susceptible to spring frosts. It is moderately susceptible to downy mildew and powdery mildew and is very susceptible to Botrytis cinerea (grey mould). Due to the poor yield of the lower buds, it requires mixed pruning, and it is suitable for elevated vine-training systems and greater trellis spacing. Yields range between 8-10 t/ha, and depending on the clone can go up to more than 15 t/ha.
Ripe grapes achieve a high sugar content and a satisfactory total acid level. The wines have typical and intense varietal aromas and depend on ecological conditions and production technology.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
With regular pollination and ripening in the second period, Chardonnay gives the best results on warm and permeable soils. In Hrvatsko Zagorje it covers 28.2 ha.
It starts its annual growth cycle early in the spring, so it is susceptible to late spring frosts. It is susceptible to rot, but resistant to low temperatures. It is compatible with most substrates. It generally has moderate to very good yield, around 8-11 t/ha, depending on the ecological conditions of growth, production technology, and clone. It gives good results with mixed pruning, with long canes and cluster thinning.
The grapes are of high quality, high sugar content, and satisfactory acid levels. The wine is light yellowish-greenish, with varietal aromas which depend on the ecological conditions of growth.
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc
In Hrvatsko Zagorje, Pinot Blanc covers an area of 13.6 ha. It is a variety that does best on light, permeable, and airy soils and shows very good resistance to low winter temperatures, while being very susceptible to Botrytis cinerea (grey mould).
It ripens in the second period, and starts its annual growth cycle early, which is why it is susceptible to late spring frosts. The yield varies between 7 and 10 t/ha, and pollination is good and regular. It has a good proclivity to substrates, and due to poor yield on the basal buds, mixed pruning is best with long canes, double Guyot. It gives good results on elevated vine-training systems.
The Pinot Blanc variety has a high potential, and accumulates a high content of sugars and acids. Pinot Blanc wines are light yellow in colour with a greenish tinge, harmonious and rounded, with typical varietal aromas and distinctive fruity tones.
Pinot Gris
Pinot Gris
Pinot Gris in Hrvatsko Zagorje covers an area of 14.7 ha. The vine is moderately lush, and the annual growth cycle starts early, which makes it susceptible to late spring frosts.
It is suitable for different soils but does not tolerate too moist or calcareous soils. It is suitable for growing in temperate climates in positions with good exposure. It is suitable for various growing and pruning systems, but without too much expansion and load. Green pruning should be performed at the optimal time, managing the canopy to reduce the attack of Botrytis cinerea (grey mould), to which it is very susceptible. The cluster is small, cylindrical, compact, with one wing, and the berry is small, ovoid, with a grey-pink skin.
It ripens in the second period, and the wines, depending on the processing technology, vary from lighter-bodied, fresh wines, straw-yellow in colour with a lighter aroma, to more robust wines of almost rosé colour obtained by maceration of grapes.
Moslavac (Furmint)
Moslavac (Furmint)
The Moslavac variety covers 13.2 ha in Hrvatsko Zagorje. It ripens in the third period, has a lush canopy, and due to the high fruiting potential and the high load on the fruiting buds, the yields are variable.
In rainy and cold years, there are problems with flowering and the appearance of poor fruit set, so tipping is necessary. It is resistant to low temperatures. Due to its thinner and softer skin, it is susceptible to powdery mildew and Botrytis cinerea (grey mould), so it is necessary to look for more airy terrain.
The quality of grapes depends on the ecological conditions of growth, year, agronomic techniques, and yield. The wines are characterized by gentle, unobtrusive aromas, and in good years from good locations they can be of exceptional quality.
Plavec žuti
Plavec žuti
The Plavec Žuti variety originates from the area of north-western Croatia, and in Hrvatsko Zagorje it covers an area of approximately 7 ha.
It ripens late, at the beginning of the third period. The variety has a medium lush canopy. It is suitable for medium-high and higher training systems, requires ‘long’ pruning of the fruit-bearing wood, otherwise there is overgrowth. It is not particularly susceptible to powdery mildew and downy mildew, but it is quite susceptible to Botrytis cinerea (grey mould). Its resistance to low temperatures is good. The yields are high and regular, and the wine is light, fresh, with high acidity and unobtrusive varietal aroma.
Yellow Muscat
Yellow Muscat
Yellow Muscat is the most represented of the Muscat varieties in the area of Hrvatsko Zagorje and is grown on a total area of 6.7 ha.
It has a medium lush canopy, ripens at the end of the second period, and starts its annual growth cycle early. Depending on the purpose, it is possible to harvest Yellow Muscat already in early September (for lighter, fresher, and fragrant wines) or in mid and late September (for heavier, stronger, fuller wines with a higher sugar content). It is sensitive to low temperatures and susceptible to powdery mildew, and due to its compact cluster, also to Botrytis cinerea (grey mould), which is why it is planted in airy and warmer locations with lighter soil composition, on elevated vine-training systems and requires regular trimming and partial defoliation. It gives the best results on carbonate soils and requires a suitable substrate. It gives the best yields with longer pruning. The quality of grapes depends on the year, but as a rule it is of excellent quality, with high acid levels. This variety belongs to the representatives of Muscat wine varieties. The wine is light yellow-green in colour, aromatic, highly alcoholic, full and harmonious. Due to the pronounced sensory properties and fullness, it is possible to apply various technologies of wine production (longer or shorter maceration) and produce different types of wine (sweet wines, dessert wines).
White Muscat
White Muscat
White Muscat is a variety with medium lush canopy and good and regular yield.
It requires light permeable soil, and tolerates a high quantity of lime. It requires dry and warm climate, good position, exposure, and air flow. It is suitable for various growing and pruning systems, but with moderate expansion and load on the fruit-bearing buds. In the southern regions, it is possible to use full mechanization, and in the north, green pruning is required for full ripening and protection from the attack of Botrytis cinerea (grey mould). The wines are straw-yellow in colour with a golden sheen, intense fragrance and aroma, with moderate extract and full-bodied, extraordinary fineness.
Kerner
Kerner
Kerner is a newer German aromatic wine grape variety, a cross between Rhine Riesling and Trollinger. Unlike Riesling, it is adaptable to most wine growing locations and soils and gives higher yields, but also boasts lower acids.
In Hrvatsko Zagorje it covers an area of 2.9 ha. Kerner grapes ripen in the second period. It is a lush variety resistant to low temperatures. Cluster thinning in the vineyard is a must.
It is moderately susceptible to powdery mildew, downy mildew, and Botrytis cinerea (grey mould), especially in very humid years. The wine is yellowish in colour, aromatic, with fruity-floral aromas, often with a musky trait, fresh acids, and fullness in taste.
Rizvanac Bijeli
Rizvanac Bijeli
The Rizvanac variety in Hrvatsko Zagorje covers an area of 1.6 ha. It is a variety that ripens in the second period, has a lush canopy and good and regular yields.
Due to its susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea (grey mould), growing in humid and warmer climates is avoided. It is susceptible to downy mildew and sensitive to low temperatures.
Growing on elevated vine-training systems and the application of partial defoliation ensure good ventilation of the vine and reduce the occurrence of disease. It has higher fertility in basal buds, and is suitable for short pruning.
The wines, especially young wines, are very fruity, fragrant, drinkable, of moderate intensity, and contain typical aromas of the variety. They are often left semi-dry and are regularly used to make predicate wines, although prolonged leaving on the vine often leads to problems with Botrytis cinerea (grey mould). They are not left for aging, and are consumed young instead.
Manzoni Bijeli
Manzoni Bijeli
Manzoni is a newer white grape variety, created by crossing the Rhine Riesling and the Pinot Blanc. In Hrvatsko Zagorje, it covers an area of slightly less than 1 ha.
It ripens at the beginning of the third period, and starts its annual growth cycle late, so it avoids late spring frosts. It is not too susceptible to fungal diseases. It has the ability to adapt to most micro-climatic conditions and vineyard soils, but gives the best results on hilly terrain and deep, not too fertile and heavy soils. Manzoni is a variety of high quality potential and gives dry wines, with good acid levels and a strong body.
Dišeća ranina
Dišeća ranina
Dišeća Ranina is an old local variety of the Moslavina vineyards, but it is also found in the rest of north-western Croatia.
It is a medium lush variety that starts its annual growth cycle quite early, and ripens at the end of the second or beginning of the third period. There are often problems with pollination, so it needs pollinators that bloom at the same time.
In practice, Škrlet has been shown to be a good option. It requires a good location, and in case the pollination went well, it also requires cluster thinning, because in case of high crop load, it is of a much poorer quality. In conditions of limited fertility, shedding during flowering, or lower yield, the quality is much better, so the intensity of the specific varietal aroma becomes more pronounced, and is often used as a spice flavour variety in wines.
Belina Starohrvatska
Belina Starohrvatska
Belina Starohrvatska is a local variety originating in Hrvatsko Zagorje and covers a total area of 3.1 ha.
It ripens in the third period, and starts its annual growth cycle medium late. It is a lush variety, resistant to winter temperatures, and due to its thin skin and compact clusters, it is susceptible to Botrytis cinerea (grey mould). Its susceptibility to downy mildew and powdery mildew is average. Mixed pruning is the best pruning method for this variety. It has a high yield potential, but unbalanced yields due to susceptibility to shedding in case of poor conditions during flowering, unbalanced nitrogen fertilization, or the use of lush substrates.
The grapes accumulate a low to medium sugar content, with a relatively high content of total acids, and the resulting wine is fresh and light, with pronounced acidity and discrete aromas, suitable for blending.
Belina Smudna
Belina Smudna
Belina Smudna ripens at the end of the third period, and starts its annual growth cycle medium early in the spring.
Yields are regular and high. It is susceptible to downy mildew and powdery mildew diseases and sensitive to low winter temperatures. It is not particularly susceptible to Botrytis cinerea (grey mould), except in rainy years due to the later ripening age. It gives the best results in elevated and warm positions. Due to high yields, cluster thinning is required. It can produce lighter wines with pronounced acidity, and it is also suitable for blending with other varieties.
Sokol
Sokol
The Sokol variety is set apart by its very early ripening, already in the first period, and in the spring it starts its annual growth cycle very early, as well.
The canopy is of medium to strong lushness, which makes it possible to grow this variety on pergolas. It thrives best on elevated vine-training systems and with ‘long’ pruning. It is not susceptible to fungal diseases. A problem with irregular and low yield was noticed. Sokol produces wines of high quality, special varietal aromas of medium or stronger intensity, depending on the harvest date.
Belina Svetokriška
Belina Svetokriška
With its lush canopy and regular and abundant yield, Belina Svetokriška starts its annual growth cycle medium late in the spring and ripens at the end of the third period.
The variety is not particularly susceptible to downy mildew, powdery mildew, or Botrytis cinerea (grey mould), and does not show sensitivity to low winter temperatures. The quality of grapes is medium, with a medium high sugar content and a relatively high content of total acids, which is why it would be suitable for blending with other varieties that lack freshness. With a medium quality potential, cultivation in appropriate locations can produce lighter and fresher wines with pleasant and unobtrusive aromas, with the application of load reducing and cluster thinning techniques.