Finding products from the Balkans in a multicultural Chicago is not that difficult. Being from the restaurant family I'm always happy to try something new, especially if there is a great product that is in a way connected to my roots.
Not too long ago I was visiting my family in Slovenia and they had to pack some home goods. The only liquid thing that I took was home made olive oil from Slovenian Istria and Grappa. Slivovtz from Bosnia was available but not to my liking. Some great ideas for next blog posts.
My father offered a bottle of Vranac from Montenegro too. I had to decline it; the bag was getting heavy. I was sure we can find Vranac in Chicago!
I found 4 different types of Vranac; dry red from $5.99 to $9.99 at Produce World in Morton Grove, IL. Plantaze, Plantaze Pro Corde, Hercegovacki Vranac, and Monte Cheval. While doing some research I found a bottle for all the way up to $240.
Since then, I purchased quite a few bottles of Vranac for me and as a gift. If you like full bodied wines, you will like the stallion from the Balkans.
The word Vranac means strong black powerful horse, this is why the wine named after this variety of grape is associated with strength, potency and success.
There is not much info on Wikipedia under Vranac. Vranac is an ancient variety of a grape that is indigenous to republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo and Montenegro. We can find Vranac in Croatia and Bosnia, too.
Vranac around the web.
I wrote before about Cevapcici in Chicago aka cevapi or cevaps. There is a list of grocers and some restaurants from former Yugoslavian places in Chicago if you follow the link. Devon Market and others may carry this great vino, too.
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