White Wines

Fruška gora: The island of white wines and the charm of Tomcat’s wine cellar

When Fruška gora is mentioned, the first association for wine lovers is - white wines. Although red varieties are successfully grown on this ancient Pannonian island mountain, the terroir of Fruška gora is essentially destined for the creation of top quality white wines. The mild climate, the specific soil rich in minerals (remnants of the former sea) and the rose of winds flowing through Fruška gora create ideal conditions for varieties that seek freshness, elegance and aromatic complexity.

The history of winemaking here is long, dating back to the Roman emperor Probus, who planted the first vines on its slopes in the 3rd century AD, which you can read more about in the Viticulture Tradition (link to that page). Tradiciji vinogradarskoj . Today, Fruška gora is experiencing its renaissance, and the white assortment is leading that revolution.

The kingdom of white varieties

The terroir of Fruška gora gives the wines a distinctive stamp: as a rule, they are fresh, mineral, with pronounced acids that give them a strong structure and longevity.

• International stars: Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc have made their home here and produce results that can match world standards, but with a local character.
• Aromatic varieties: Fruška gora is known for its exceptional Gewürztraminer which was brought to Fruška gora by the Italian count Livius Odescalchi, who, after the signing of the Peace of Sremski Karlovci, was awarded with territory of Srem, by the Austrian Emperor Leopold II, as a reward for his help in the war against the Turks. It turns out that, next to South Tyrol and Alsace, Fruška gora is the area that is most suitable for this variety.
• Indigenous varieties: Fruška gora abounds in old varieties that have almost disappeared from the vineyards over time, such as Sremska zelenika and Lipolist. Sremska zelenika is a very drinkable wine that is full of freshness and acidity, as the name itself indicates. As for Lipolist, the connection between the vine variety and the linden tree variety can be found in the fact that Fruška gora is the largest wild linden habitat in Europe. Therefore, the wines of this variety really have a linden taste and a distinct aromatic complexity.

It is in this environment, in the heart of wine-growing Srem, in Irig, that a winery is located that combines tradition and a modern approach to winemaking in a special way – Tomcat wine cellar.