The Tomic Wine Tasting Has Begun!

Spring is in the air, the skies are blue, and the main debate on Hvar is whether or not the enticing water is warm enough for swimming.

After a busy winter working on various projects (one of them to be announced very soon), it was business as usual yesterday, as Bastijana was delighted to welcome a small group for one of our trademark tastings.

The season is about to begin. The Tomic doors are open! We look forward to welcoming you to our Jelsa winery during the 2014 season. If you would like more information about the Tomic wine tasting experience, please contact us through our website.

Why is Rosé Wine Pink?

Rosé wines or opolo wines (in Dalmatia) are wines which are, by their color more similar to red wines, and by taste to white wines. Most rosé wines are produced from red grapes, although there is the possibility to mix red and white grapes together. The color of rosé wines  can vary from very light to dark pink, depending on the variety of grapes and production method. Traditional production methods require contact of red grapes and grape juice for as long as it takes to get a nice pink color (usually a few hours). In that way, the red grape color, which is located in the skin of the berries turns to juice.

The unquestionable Queen of rosé wines is the French Mediterranean region of Provence. Nevertheless, this romantically colored wine is becoming more and more popular in the rest of the world, too. Quality dry rosé wines are an ideal choice during hot, summer days either as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to light meals. Perhaps this is the very reason why the image of these wines today has improved so that, without shame, rose wines are equally enjoyed by both men and women!

So why not celebrate this International Women's Day by sharing a bottle of Opolo Nobil rosé?

Celebrate International Women's Day with Tomic Wines at Rusulica in Split

Happy International Women's Day from the team at Bastijana, and what better way to treat your lady than a fine dinner washed down with the finest Tomic wines?

Looking for a romantic solution in Split this evening? In cooperation with Restaurant Rusulica, Tomic wines will be available for a specially discounted price. So if it is Rose, Beleca or a meaty Plavac that your lady enjoys, head to Rusulica this evening for a fine evening.

Restaurant "Rusulica"
Dinka Šimunovića 10
21000 Split
Tel: 021/460-801

Tomic Plavac recommended by The Independent in the UK

Bastijans is delighted to be featured in this morning's Independent newspaper in the UK, having participated in a wine tasting in London. Anthony Rose's article 'The Voyage' appealed not only to the palate but also to the soul had this to say about the Tomic Plavac:

The cross-section of distinctive local Croatian grape varieties at this tasting including posip and grasevina and not least plavac mali, a red Croatian speciality related to zinfandel that adapts well to the rocky hillsides and sunny climate of the Dalmatian coast. It can be powerful, and the 2009 Bura-Mgurdic Dingac from the Peljesac, showed just that in its rich, sweetly dried, amarone-like fruit, while the 2011 Tomic Plavac Mali from the Island of Hvar  is made in a more modern style, all bright, spiced plum and damson fruitiness with elegantly layered, ripe-fruit freshness.

Read the whole article here...

Blending the Traditional with the International: Caplar

One of the most interesting aspects of the Hvar wine scene is the number of micro-climates which exist on the island, allowing winemakers to produce very different wines from vineyard to vineyard. Added to the fact that there are several indigenous varieties - including some such as Bogdanusa which are only grown on Hvar - and the scene is set for some highly individual wines.

At Bastijana, the finest traditions of Hvar wine are upheld, and important local grape varieties are at the core of much of our wine production - Plavac Mali, Bogdanusa and Posip. But there is also an opportunity to mix more international varieties with the Hvar terroir, and our Sveti Klement red would not look out of place in the wineries of St. Emilion, with its classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

But for something a little more special, how about a blend of the international and the individual?

Meet Caplar, the top of the Tomic range, and an equal blend of the finest Plavac Mali grapes from the south side of the island, and Cabernet Sauvignon in one of Bastijana's most interesting vineyards, in the shadows of the Dominican Monastery in Stari Grad. 

Take a closer look at the Caplar vineyard here and learn more about Caplar the wine here.

Andro Tomic at Radisson Blu Wine and Dine in Split

An extremely entertaining evening Andro Tomic in Split last week, as Bastijana supplied the wines for a successful Wine and Dine event at Split's luxury Radisson Blu hotel.

The event, held at the  Caper Grill, included some nice little touches, including a rather special French magician who performed wonders throughout the evening.

Guests were treated to a glass of Opolo Nobil Rose 2013 on arrival.

Andro was on hand to introduce the rest of his wines, which included Beleca 2012, Plavac 2012 and the Plavac Barrique 2008.

And there was just about enough room for a glass of Hektorovic prosek to go with dessert. 

A lively and well-attended evening - see the full menu below.

The Legend of the Pakleni Islands

The god of the sea, Poseidon, seduces Zeus's beloved nymph Dahomar, and so in love, fearing to the anger of the Olympian ruler, they escaped to the Bay of Hadria, as the Adriatic sea was then called. Along the lonely cliff they indulged in their passion. Zeus, distraught with jealousy, slung a deadly lightning from the heavens to the libertines. Before the lightning hit and ignited the love bed, Poseidon and the nymph dived into the sea and continued their love game. And just as the passion in the water sparkled, Poseidon's love juice bounded on the surface. As soon as drops of Poseidon jumped out of the sea, Zeus' lightning burnt them and turned them into stone islands. According to legend by Theopompus, these islands are the Pakleni Islands in front town of Hvar.

The Pakleni Islands - a group of limestone islands in the vicinity of the town of Hvar. Although the name is associated with hell („pakao“ in Croatian means hell), the origin of the name is from "paklina" - type of pine resin, which was used in ship building. The islands are a protected monument of nature. The largest island in the group is St. Clement, from where the grapes for some of our wines come. Wine lovers especially appreciate the exotic harvesting on the Pakleni islands, setting out in the dawn, travelling by boats…

Check out the video below to see how a Tomic harvest is done on the Pakleni Islands - a magical experience.