Rambles on Palmizana, in a thousand words...

Palmizana a small village on the island of St. Klement, one of Pakleni Otoci (islands) on the southern side of Hvar… and it is amazing.


A view of the city of Hvar and Pakleni Otoci from the Castle


A view of the city of Hvar from a boat


A cluster of villas built of local stone


Everything is planted it with pines, cactus, palms...


Palmizana...


Restaurant Toto's


A small part of l'equipe Hvar 2009...


...


The Sun...


Tasty lunch @ Toto's


Villas are painted in vibrant colors and decorated with some... quite unusual wood sculpture... There also quite a lot contemporary artworks around.


On the way back...


That's all…

If you have a need for a tranquil holiday, go on Palmizana.
If you are looking for an isolated beach, go on Palmizana.
If you are up to yachting, go on Palmizana.
If you are up to windsurfing, go on Palmizana.
If you are up to dive, go on Palmizana.
Just go on Palmizana...

My thoughts on Croatian wine

Croatians wine will burst on the scene... especially one coming from Hvar and Korčula Island. This part of the world was cultivated with grapevine by Greeks and Romans for a long time, and there is even a reference to "the best wine" in the world, produced on the island of Vis. Ancient writer Athenaios write this in his "Banquet of scientists" some 2000+ years ago...

Unfortunately until now, I know just one serious wine from Croatia. The one I've tried last year, namely Zlatan Plavac Barrique from Hvar Island.

This time around, to be perfectly frank, they got me by surprise. Croatians wine will burst on the scene... especially from Hvar and Korčula Island. I'm amazed of the quality, modern stile (in positive connotation), concentration, flavors...

This is my "notable selection":


Zlatan Plenković - Zlatan Grand Cru - 2006, Island of Hvar, Croatia
Type: Red
Varietals: Plavac Mali
Note: Cult wine. Amazing complexity and elegance. (92 pts.)


Ivan Dolac Barrique - 2006, Island of Hvar, Croatia
Type: Red
Varietals: Plavac Mali
Note: A big beauty. (90 pts.)


Zlatan Plenković - Zlatan Barrique - 2006, Island of Hvar, Croatia
Type: Red
Varietals: Plavac Mali
Note: Full bodied wine but smooth. (89 pts.)


Postup - Donja Banda - 2006, Peninsula Peljesac, Croatia
Type: Red
Varietals: Plavac Mali
Note: Very dry. (88 pts.)


Dingač Vinarija - Dingač - 2006, Peninsula Peljesac, Croatia
Type: Red
Varietals: Plavac Mali
Note: No oak. Fine wine (87 pts.)


Čara - Marco Polo - 2007, Island of Korčula, Croatia
Type: White
Varietals: Pošip
Note: Great aromas and perfectly balanced. (87 pts.)


Čara - 2007, Island of Korčula, Croatia
Type: White
Varietals: Pošip
Note: Little brother of the Marco Polo. (84 pts.)


Babić - Primošten - 2006, Sjeverna Dalmacija, Croatia
Type: Red
Varietals: Babić
Note: Absolutely amazing and completely new taste. Plus it stands quite nice with fish on grill... I can't rate it as I don't have a reference point...


Grgic - Dingač - XXXX, Peninsula Peljesac, Croatia
Type: Red
Varietals: Plavac Mali
Note: The only wine I haven't got a chance to taste it :-/

The 100-point Rating Scale
* Extraordinary (96-100 points)
* Outstanding (90-95)
* Very Good to Excellent (85-89)
* Good (80-84)
* Average (75-79)
* Below average (70-74)
* Avoid (50-70)

For all wines decanting a minimum a half hour before drinking is a must.

Seek, find and taste; you are not going to be disappointed!

Prsuta 3 wine bar on Hvar Island

No doubt, Prsuta 3 is the coziest wine bar on Hvar Island, if not in Dalmacia.


I'm chilling out with a glass of Cara Prosip

This place is run by Vidan a friendly and open minded person. One feels more like being at home than a guest at the bar.

It's obviously, to me anyway, he inherited this hospitality from his father barba Ive who runs a deli shop at the green market.


Barba Ive at work at his deli shop


I've been there quite a few time and had a chance to sample dozen... if not more wines from it's extensive library...

I’m pleased to share with you some of my notes (My thoughts on Croatian wine).


When you are hungry, order a plate of a classic dalmatian antipasto.

Vidan pays special attention to the antipasti choices on his menu, and offers a mix of home made prosciutto, cheese, bread, olive and tartufi oil...

Guests are coming from everywhere and all are drunken with the good atmosphere... poets, lawyers, preachers, gamblers... and of course, engineers wanna-a-be opera, wine, food, art critic ;-)

If you are around, go for it.

Summer 2008 - Part I

I had two great summer trips to Balkan; one to Hvar, Croatia, and one to Skopje, Macedonia. By the way, Skopje is my home town.

I went to Hvar with my family from Skopje, a full house! We meet in Split and continue together on a ferryboat. The first impression has been strange, mainly because I've already been there... some 20 years ago... so things have changed... a lot...

Hvar is gourmet place, so they have a fantastic range of vine, extra-virgin olive oils, sundried tomatoes, pickled vegetables, prsuto, etc. Of course they also have a fantastic sea food! In center of Hvar, one can find lovely local farmers and fisherman market which is packed with goodies. So much nicer and more fun than shopping at the supermarket!

I've sampled lots of different seasonal food and vine and everything is infused with lovely flavors. So, I'll focus on grilling at home as it is beautiful and simple summer food and requires a small effort on the part of the cook.


Home made wine...


Sea Bream, Snapper and Bass


Mussels with rice and white wine


Rock Lobster


Rock Lobster


Oysters


Final result


Wild strawberries

All in all, fantastic trip. Been together with my family on holiday has invoked some beautiful memories from my childhood, and we had couple of fun grill parties.

Looking forward for more - next year!