Croatian Wine of the Week – Gerštmajer Chardonnay Baranja 2022

Crème-de-la-crème Croatian white

Gerštmajer is a multi-generational viticulture and winemaking family living and working in the Baranja region of Croatia in Zmajevac within the municipality of Kneževi Vinogradi, only 22 kilometers (13.5 miles) from the Hungarian border. They trace their origins back to 1704, when Hungarian-Podunavskih (Danube) Swabian Gerštmajers traveled down the Danube River from the Schwarzwald (Black Forest) to settle in Baranja. In 1854 the Hungarian side of the family built a wine cellar.

Third-generation winegrower and winemaker Mihalj ‘Mišika’ Gerštmajer Jr. established himself as one the region’s premier ‘garagiste’ winemakers – making small-batch wines from the family’s 15 hectares (37 acres) of vineyards, including Graševina, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Traminac, Frankovka, and Cabernet Sauvignon. In 2022 judges awarded his Graševina Izborna Berba (selected late-harvest) Champion of the Danube in the Baranja Zmajevac Winegrowers Association’s annual Vinathlon. His son Ivan Gerštmajer Zelember continues the family’s winegrowing and winemaking tradition and also succeeded his father as president of the association.

Gerštmajer Chardonnay Baranja 2022
Crème-de-la-crème Croatian white
Both crisp and creamy, Gerštmajer’s semi-dry Chardonnay delicately walks a tightrope between freshness and richness. Flavors like ripe golden apple and pear add juiciness to its soft, round body. This bright and velvety-smooth wine was a delicious accompaniment to homemade Kulen, smoked pork, and peppers topped with Sirene cheese. Also try it with baked fish, buttery shellfish, and Croatia’s famous Paški Sir cheese.