It is not susceptible to disease, bears fruit well and produces fresh, light wines which are rare in that region. As for its name, some say it came to Korčula from the Cetina region, while others say it was cultivated by a man named Cetinić, and was named after him.
It cannot stand alone
Only its female flowers are functional, so the vineyard requires another variety to serve as a pollinator. However, the wines are equally good regardless of which variety is used, Maletić explained.
The wines were brought for tasting by Blato 1902 d.d., Vinarija Dine, Korčula vino, Vinarija Bačić, OPG Bačić Živo, Vinarija Šarenko, OPG Joković, OPG Žaknić, Vinarija Jovanov and OPG Čerin. OPG Sardelić Kraljević was missing, as their wine was not yet ready.
Three vintages
The wines were from the last three vintages, and the ones from 2023 made the best impression. The younger wines are ready and will be great over the summer, while those from 2022 have already passed their peak.
Tasting started with the Pjer sparkling wine from Vinarija Bačić, produced using the classic champagne method. It is very fresh, gently fruity and quite long on the palate. It brings a smile and conjures up an image of enjoying a summer afternoon by the sea in the shade. The best impression was left by the 2023 Cetinka from Jovanov.
Gentle and long lasting
It is pleasantly bitter, has a long finish and reminiscent of grapefruit and kumquat with sweetness and a beautiful minerality. Very well also performed the Cetinka Dina 2023 and the wonderfully fresh Cetinka 2024 Žaknić. The Žaknić has a fine and delicate aroma, and a palate that not only follows this impression but complements and even seriously extends it.
We also tasted wine made from three Korčula varieties: Pošip, Rukatac (Maraština) and Cetinka. It is interesting in terms of marketing, but the impression is that it makes more harm to each variety than good. Cetinka in particular, which is not easy in such serious company.
Deserves more attention
It turned out that Cetinka certainly deserves more attention. First of all, this means more vineyards, and then more humility, as football coach Zlatko Dalić would say, without trying to make it a new Pošip or Grk out of it.
