Vranac
Montenegro · Red · Available (A)
Around 70% of national plantings and the reason anyone outside the Balkans has heard of Montenegrin wine. First mentioned in a historical document published in the 15th century, and first formally described by Mitar Plamenac in 1891, with a further description in the Viala and Vermorel ampelography of the following decade. Inky, tannic and high in extract — typical Montenegrin Vranac runs around 14% alcohol with total acidity near 5.2 g/l. Sour cherry, dark plum, bitter chocolate and a resinous herbal note; it needs several years and rewards a decade. Note that it is a parent-line variety, not an ancient one: it descends from Kratošija and Duljenga.