Peljesac is a Croatian peninsula located in the Adriatic Sea. It is located in the southern part of the country, on the Dalmatian coast, northwest of the famous "pearl of the Adriatic", the legendary Dubrovnik. The area of the peninsula is 348 square kilometers, it is 66 km long and 7 km wide. Currently, the only land road leading to it leads through the town of Ston, in the near future it will also be possible to get to it via the Peljeski Bridge under construction. Perhaps the construction of the bridge will slightly accelerate the tourist expansion of the peninsula, as it is allegedly overshadowed by other popular Croatian towns. And quite wrong, because it hides some really wonderful treasures.
348 square kilometers of amazingness
Peljesac impresses with its shape. It is entirely mountainous - it was formed along with the entire range of the Dinaric Mountains. The mountainous landscape delights the eye, and when we add picturesque beaches around sloping, often steep slopes, it will be difficult for us not to shout with delight!
Apart from the wonderful nature, Peljesac can surprise us with an amazing history. The town of Ston itself has an amazing history - it used to be the backbone of Dubrovnik's power, as it supplied the local province with sea salt. And it was a resource as precious as gold! For this reason, the town was the target of many attacks and invasions. For defensive purposes, local authorities ordered the city walls to be extended - they even stretched over the hills surrounding the city. To this day, tourists entering Peljesac by road can see the walls that remind them of the Great Wall of China. And this is not a big mistake, because right after the Chinese construction, it is the Ston fortifications that rank second among the longest defensive walls in the world.
The shores of Peljesac are also a perfect place for breeding mussels and oysters! It is not difficult to find an inn located by the coast, serving fresh seafood specialties. But these are not the only and greatest treasures of this mysterious peninsula.
The pearl of Croatian vineyards
Peljesac is known in Croatia for one more reason - there are vineyards along the entire length of the peninsula. This peninsula could even be called the land of flowing wine! The unique location of the peninsula provides excellent conditions for viticulture - both the soil resources and the number of sunny days allow the grapes to mature properly. And this is the basis for a wine that is unique in taste.
The peninsula is littered with vineyards - many of them small family vineyards. Some have been operating on Peljesac for generations - and many, because the oldest vineyards are over 600 years old there! And it is impossible to say which of the vineyards is the best, because in each one can find excellent wine that will delight with its taste, diversity and uniqueness.
Plavac Mali has many names
Not just any grapevines are grown on Peljesac - almost the entire peninsula is covered with one indigenous and typical only for this area Plavac Mali grape variety. Genetic studies have shown that it was formed in the Peljesac region and the specific conditions on the peninsula are the best for its cultivation. Red wine is produced from the Plavac Mali grape.
But does this mean that Peljesac wines are boring and uniform? How come! Due to the changing shape of the peninsula, several types of wine are produced from one grape variety. Where do such miracles come from? Grapes are influenced by all factors surrounding the vineyard: location, soil type, wind influence, sunlight. Surrounded by the mountains of Peljesac, despite its relatively small area, it offers a lot of variety.
The most common type of wine will be Plavac Mali, named after the local grape variety. Plavac Mali is made from grapes grown in dispossessed farmland in the center of the peninsula - between one mountain ridge and the other. The second famous type of Peljesac wines is Postup. It is also produced around the town of Orebić from Plavac Mali. It has a characteristic dark ruby color and is distinguished by a subtle hint of tartness. It is considered by many to be one of the best Croatian (if not southern European wines) and slowly begins its expansion on European markets.
Unique Dingac
There is another type of wine in Peljesac that stands out significantly and is considered one of the most noble and unique wines of the peninsula. I am talking about Dingac wine! What makes it stand out? As with the other Peljesac red wines, it is made from the Plavac Mali grape. However, it is characterized by a much deeper flavor, more expressive and rich aroma, which gives it a truly noble character.
Where does this uniqueness come from? From the place where the grapes grow - these vineyards lie on the slope of the wide Dingac hill (near the town of Potomje). This is where the name of the wine comes from. The steep slopes are difficult to cultivate, but excellent conditions for viticulture. The slope is located on the southern side of the peninsula, right above the surface of the Adriatic Sea - the vastness of the sun, soil conditions and gentle sea winds give the grapes a distinctive character that cannot be found anywhere else.
It's hard to buy - you have to go!
Although the wines from the Peljesac peninsula are unique and everyone who has tasted them at least once falls in love with them, it is still quite difficult to buy them in northern Europe - they are quite expensive and available from a few wholesalers. We hope that these Croatian wine treasures will soon conquer the north of the continent. However, it should be remembered that original local wine, tasted in an atmospheric Croatian vineyard, around the sun-drenched hills of the Peljesac peninsula will always taste the best!
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