The Blečić family from 'Belica' has turned must into wine, with the traditional consecration of the must serving as the central event of the early afternoon in the centre of Kastav. The sweet, cloudy nectar has patiently transformed from grapes into wine over several months, and has now received a solemn blessing and been officially declared young wine.
Hosts Rajko Blečić, his wife Vojka, and their son Sanjin welcomed friends and winemakers on the occasion of St Martin's Day, including friends from the Belica association, Kastav winemakers, and members of the association. The event took place at the legendary former Brkoto tavern, one of the most famous inns in Kastav. Among those gathered were brothers Boris and Branko Jugo, Boris Acinger, and last year's host of the consecration feast, Damir Jurčić, known as Rošo from Jurčić.
The ceremony was led by Martin Primorski from Senjskih Velikih vrata (Vladimir Jurić), who performed the ritual of prayer, blessing, and symbolic consecration of the must. He also reported that at the 48th meeting of 'wine Martins' in Koprivnica, it was announced that Martinje this year is celebrated from 6 to 15 November.
After the solemn rite, the celebration moved to the table in the tavern, but the space was too small for all the guests. Host Rajko said there would be more room next year, as the space will soon be dedicated solely to wine, while the tavern for socialising is being moved to a new, larger space that could accommodate around twenty guests.
The hosts first offered homemade appetisers 'for the teeth', followed by specialities, including lung in sour sauce and coq au vin served with polenta and pasta, accompanied by the obligatory sauerkraut on the table. After the meal, guests could taste up to 12 types of wine – grey pinot in white and rosé variants, Kastav belica, cabernet merlot, as well as last year's malvasia and chardonnay.
This year's Martinje at the Blečić family and tavern was the first such wine consecration in this family. The family highlights that around 900 litres of wine were prepared, and the production of up to 140 bottles of sparkling wine is planned. Sanjin Blečić says that not all of it will be drunk this year, but no less than 500 litres.
