2023 Kos Merlot, Dalia

• Style: Structured, age-worthy Serbian Merlot
• Taste: Red cherry, dark spice, chocolate, refined tannins
• Food: BBQ & grilled dishes, stews, roasts, beef, game
• Occasion: Sunday lunch, date night, formal gatherings
• Serve: 16–18°C; decant 30 mins; drink now or hold 5+ years

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Deep ruby with purple edges, this wine opens with vivid red cherry, dark spice, and subtle chocolate. Structured tannins grip without clenching, leading to a long, satisfying finish that rewards time in the glass.

The Winery — Vinarija Dalia

Kristina Lukić, trained across Europe, Chile, California, and New Zealand, returned to her native Serbia to help revive the country's rich winemaking heritage. Dalia, founded in 2021, draws from nine hectares of organically farmed vineyards on clay and limestone soils in the Negotin Valley. The 2023 vintage benefited from an exceptional growing season that delivered early ripeness and concentrated fruit. Vines planted at 150–200 metres elevation are moderated by the Danube River and Deli Jovan Mountain's dry, continental climate, which ripens the fruit to 13.5% ABV without excess alcohol. Handpicked grapes were destemmed and fermented with indigenous yeasts in open-top stainless steel, then aged in old Serbian acacia and French oak to build depth without overwood. No fining or filtration preserves the wine's natural structure and character.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

This is the kind of wine that makes beef, pork, and aged cheese sing. It excels alongside roasted meats, rich braises, and game—equally at home on the everyday table as at a more formal gathering. When exploring Merlot or building a thoughtful selection of Full Bodied Red Wine, this Serbian expression sits comfortably alongside warmer-climate versions from around the world, a reminder that the best balance ripe fruit with freshness and restraint.