Korcula, Dalmatian Coast, Croatia

QUINTESSENCE

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Grk Wines in Korcula

By David Raezer

The island of Korcula — on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast — is home to the exceptionally rare Grk white grape. A true survivor, the non-grafted vine produces wines that are a special treat and should be on your list to try. Due to the limited production, you’ll likely only get a chance to taste it for yourself while on the island.

Quick Facts

The name
Most likely derives from gorak (Croatian for bitter) or grk (Croatian for Greek).
Genetic connections
Genetically related to Tribidrag (aka Primitivo in Italy and Zinfandel in the USA) and less closely with the country’s powerful red grape, Plavac Mali.
Production zone
Concentrated on sandy soils around the town of Lumbarda (see map). Fewer than 50 hectares (124 acres) exist.
The vine
- “Female-only” flowers (functioning, albeit sub-optimally, carpels, with non-functioning pollen-producing stamens) — so it must be planted next to other grape varieties (ideally Pošip and Plavac Mali) that act as pollinators. See this academic paper for details.
- Non-grafted — The overwhelming majority of the world’s vines are grafted onto Phylloxera-resistant American rootstock. Incredibly, Grk remains on its original rootstock, as sandy soils protected it from the destructive Phylloxera louse.
Wines
Wines are full-bodied, balanced with sufficient acidity and reveal a honeyed character with a pleasantly bitter finish.

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