Vranac is the cardinal red wine of Montenegro and is indigenous to the Zeta Plain around the country’s capital Podgorica and the Crmnica wine-growing region around Skadar Lake. Vranac berries are large and dark and are mostly harvested by hand from mid-September to early October.
Vranac is a powerful red wine, rich in flavor and high in both alcohol and tannin with a pleasant acidity. Vranac translates to “strong black” and its tannin structure is particularly smooth, lush, and rounded. Young Vranac wines are lighter colored and they develop bold flavors of blackberries, dark cherries, and violet.
After aging for one or two years, the wine becomes intensely ruby colored. Aged Vranac features complex aftertastes which often include hues of dry spices, cinnamon, and chocolate. It loses its crispness and develops a smoother finish. If you store the wine properly, Vranac wine can age for a long time.
Vranac is traditionally served with Njegusi Prosciutto, and Njegusi Cheese, and pairs well with roasted or grilled meats. It also does very well with flavorful aged cheeses, resetting your taste buds and cleansing the palate with each sip.
