Tamianka (a.k.a. Tamjanika, and Temjanika) you are quite a charmer. This is not just because of your sweetness but also you are amazing complex, especially when you reveal your dry side. I must confess that upon meeting you images of sunsets immediately flashed through my mind.
I was most fortunate to be introduced to Tamianka at the 2017 Balkans Wine Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria. Perhaps you already know of Tamianka. Even so, you may need to take another look at this Balkan gem.
For this Spaswinefood enthusiast it always exciting to me to taste new wines. In this case one of the sessions that I attended during the festival was a Master Class by Rod Smith MW on Tamianka.
The nose again for me had sweet grape like aromas however, on the plate it was dry, with a nice lime finish.
While the first five wines were dry the last three wines were sweet. The dry wines showed a nice variation in grape expression, possibly due to difference in terroir.
The Sweet Side of Tamianka
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| Sunset Memories, Australia © Spaswinefood |
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| Sunset Memories, South Africa © Spaswinefood |
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| Tamianka is in the House © Spaswinefood |
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The Mystery of Tamianka © Spaswinefood
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During the session I tasted wines from not only Bulgaria but also Serbia and Macedonia. The session gave me an appreciation for the range of possibilities for this wine. One conclusion of the discussion was that as a dry wine Tamianka has the potential of putting the Balkans on the wine map. Tamianka is a special grape with amazing potential. Jancis Robinson described Tamyanka as a Bulgarian, Serbian and Russian name for Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains. She also notes that there are several variants on the spelling, such as Tamianka, Tamjanika or Tamnjanika. Wine-searcher provides even an overview, including where you will find that this grape is grown. Yes, Australia and South Africa are on the list.
Tamianka is a Balkans White Wine Treasure
Let's take a look at eight Tamianka wines from the Balkans.
Tamianka is a Balkans White Wine Treasure
Let's take a look at eight Tamianka wines from the Balkans.
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| Tamianka Wines © Spaswinefood |
The Dry Side of Tamianka
1. Tamjanika Chateau Kamnik
2015, Macedonia
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Tamjanika Chateau Kamnik 2015 © Spaswinefood
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The nose was pleasant, with sweet fruity aromas whereas on the palate it was dry.
2. Tamjanika Vinarija Lastar
2016, Serbia
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Tamianka Time © Spaswinefood
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The second wine's aromas were less fruity more herbal however, on the palate it was dry.
3. Tamianka Bratanov 2016,
Bulgaria
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Tamianka Bratanov 2016 © Spaswinefood
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This wine is grown in Southern Bulgaria, one of the warmest regions. The aromas were very light on the nose, with it being dry and expressive on the palate.
4. Tamianka Terra Tangra 2016,
Bulgaria
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Tamianka Terra Tangra 2016 © Spaswinefood
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Terra Tangra is again from the South of Bulgaria, in the Melnik area. On the nose the aromas were towards the Sauvignon Blanc side. It was dry on the palate.
5. Anita Tamianka Rupel Winery
2016, Bulgaria
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Now That's a Tamianka Smile © Spaswinefood
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The nose again for me had sweet grape like aromas however, on the plate it was dry, with a nice lime finish.
While the first five wines were dry the last three wines were sweet. The dry wines showed a nice variation in grape expression, possibly due to difference in terroir.
The Sweet Side of Tamianka
6. Golden Temjanika Chateau
Kamnik 2016, Macedonia
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| Golden Temjanika Chateau Kamnik 2016 © Spaswinefood |
This was the second wine from Chateau Kamnik. It was a semi-dry wine.
7. Tamjanika Vinarijia Minic
2014, Serbia
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| Tamjanika Vinarija Minic 2014 © Spaswinefood |
This wine exhibited classic aromas in my glass. On my palate it had a touch of bitterness, or spice. Some described it as having an Alsace style.
8. Euphoria Temjanika Chateau
Kamnik 2016, Macedonia
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| Two of Chateau Kamnik's Wines © Spaswinefood |
The final wine was a delightful late harvest wine from Chateau Kamnik, Macedonia. It was also the third wine that I tasted from Chateau Kamnik.
Overall the three sweet wines showed an interesting variation as well.
Perhaps a little discussion on the future of Tamianka in the Balkans is necessary. Clearly Tamianka is special in the Balkans, and has great potential. Smith suggested that since sweet versions of this wine from Italy, South Africa and Australia are well known the Balkans might primarily focus on developing dry Tamianka wines. Vinopedia's article on Tamianka (Tamjanika) is quite insightful for those interested in its recent popularity in Serbia. See also an article by Vina Balkan.
Overall the three sweet wines showed an interesting variation as well.
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| Advice to Tamianka © Spaswinefood |
Certainly the mystery of Tamianka has lead me to imagine dining in a vineyard at sunset. During the dinner we would be introduced to the many rich variations of Tamianka.
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| Imagining Tamianka © Spaswinefood |
The Best of the Balkans, 6th BALKANS INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION 2017, was announced later that evening at a Gala Dinner. I could imagine Tamianka taking center stage at a future event.
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| Gala Dinner, BWIC 2017 © Spaswinefood |
It is so easy to fall in love with Tamianka, especially at sunset, and especially in the Balkans. Tamianka is indeed a mysterious lady. Thanks to the Bulgarian Wine Export Association (BWEA) for inviting me to attended the Balkans Wine Festival. I invite you to join me in my travels in Bulgaria and elsewhere
at Spaswinefood,
Sharon
Sofia,
Bulgaria
June
2017
©
Spaswinefood
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Remembering Tamianka © Spaswinefood
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Note:
Special thanks to the Bulgarian Wine Export Association (BWEA) who sponsored
this trip.
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