Wine Wits (#032): Dalmatia, Geopolitics & Tasting Notes
The latest from grape juice drinker Aleksandar Draganic
Hi friend!
Substack is cool. Writing these articles every Sunday makes me check in on new people joining the community and I have to say that the content is highly engaging. Some Reads I would highly recommend checking out are
(a couple of friends that travel annually across France write about their adventures and trending topics in the wine world), (an English MW student getting into the nitty gritty deets about the program, super helpful), (author Simon J Woolf’s takes on everything wine, super informative and well-researched) & (it seems that Kimberly is not writing anymore, but the older posts are great for those interested in the science behind climate change).WINE I’M DRINKING
Vinarija Dingač Plavac Mali Dingač 2018 (unfortunately not available in Singapore)
Marco, if you’re reading this, don’t worry - this will soon be available in Singapore (at least in the form of a couple of bottles that we’ll share together). Vinarija Dingač was formed in 1937 by 550 grape growers contributing to one collective. That number dropped to 300 following the end of the Yugoslav Communism era, but the goal is still the same - make 4 expressions of the Plavac Mali grape from different geographical positions. As I wrote in one of my previous Wine Wits, Dingač, an extremely steep slope in Southern Dalmatia, is the best position for this grape in the country.
No new oak was used here, only the best Plavac Mali fruit fermented and matured in large barrels. A very traditional expression of the grape, as it used to be drunk decades ago. I didn’t decant this, just opened it to get some light air 3 hours before lunch. I felt that the fruit was already on its way to the peak, so I didn’t want to disrupt its journey. The smell on this is rustic, expressing the Adriatic in its purest form - dried plum, ripe blackcurrant, cloves, cured meat, dried tobacco burning from a sailor’s pipe. You drink this and you’re there, beside the water, watching the waves hit the rocks at sunset. Full-bodied, a light grip of ripe tannins, moderate acidity. Not a wine to age too long, but one to reflect on the good life.
BOOK I’M READING
As I mentioned previously, I have successfully reached 500 books! Taking into consideration that I hated reading in high school due to my mindless literature professor and her need to cram in nugatory details about books and authors into our curriculum, I’m glad that I self-sparked my love for books again. Maybe this number would’ve been higher by now, but who cares, this ain’t a competition. I’m just happy that I’ve learned so much so far and that there is SO MUCH MORE to learn in the years to come. Onto Prisoners of Geography, a book I picked up from the library a few weeks back and one that a lot of people recommended in passing. Tim Marshall gives a simplified introduction into the most discussed geopolitical topics through 10 maps. He offers a clear and engaging analysis of how Russia's need for a navy is complicated by ports that freeze for half the year, affecting Putin's stance on Ukraine. He examines the geographical constraints shaping China's future, the persistent divisions in Europe, and the reasons why the United States is unlikely to be invaded.
I can't say how many questions I had answered by reading this book. The impact of the location of mountains, forests, deserts, and rivers on politics and history has never been so clear to me. Just as I didn't know that many of the world's problems and wars in this century are due to the incorrect and forced border delineations by imperialist and colonial powers. Some of the information in this book might have been read or heard in bits and pieces in articles and news, but here, it's all perfectly gathered together to give a clearer picture of the bigger story. This remarkable book should be mandatory reading for students of geography, history, and politics, as well as for those less informed (don’t want to stay “stupid”) who find their way into Parliament. It provides essential context for understanding both recent and historical events, making it a crucial resource. Whether you purchase, borrow, or gift this book, it's too valuable to be left untouched on a dusty shelf.
RANDOM THOUGHT
Do you review wines using any app such as Cellartracker or Vivino? If not, how do you tend to remember what you tasted and is it important to you at all?
As always, thanks for reading - stay thirsty, stay curious.
See ya in a week!
Aleksandar
Thanks so much the shout-out Aleks. I agree, substack rocks!
Thanks for the shoutout and looking forward to try that one, chief!