Good day, I'm looking to brew a melomel involving certain Polish strains of cherry I've heard about through mead-making resources(and while in Poland). Does anyone know where I can obtain Oblacinska or Pozog Cherry trees? Thanks
I agree there's probably a substitute that you'd be able to find (and grow) here. Danube® (or 'Erdi Botermo') is a Hungarian variety with a good flavor. Cummins Nursery (in New York state, and cumminsnursery.com) is probably your best bet (they have a handful of tart cherry varieties).
maybe :) While I was over there though, I spoke to some friends who were acquainted with the miod making process, especially concerning making melomels and wisniowka(cherry schnapps) and they agreed with the author that those were the preferred varieties.
Oblacinska is widely grown in parts of Europe, such as Poland and Lithuania. However it originated in Yugoslavia, probably in what is now Serbia, and it is considered the "landrace" cherry variety there -- the oldest, most widely distributed in the area. I've searched for nurseries selling tart cherries and have found these 10 varieties: Montmorency, Early Richmond, English Morello, Surefire, Northstar, Meteor, Danube, Jubileum, Balaton, and Bali (a.k.a. Evans). Northstar is probably the closest related to the European cultivar you desire; in fact, it is most likely descended from Oblacinska (see parentage info below). This is easy to grow, and would bear fruit the 2nd year after planting. The soluble solids (sugars) increase as the fruit hangs on the tree, so you would want to be patient before harvesting, to ensure the best flavor. Surefire parentage = (Borchert Black Sour x NY 6935 (Richmorency x Schattenmorelle)). Northstar parentage = (English Morello x (erstwhile)Yugoslavia seedling). Meteor parentage = (Montmorency x (Russian cherry x Shattenmorelle)). Evans parentage is unknown. The others came from Europe.
