🥃 Komovica
Komovica is a Balkan rakija made only from fermented grape pomace (komina), as defined in the Croatian rulebook: at least 37.5% ABV, caramel used only for colour.
Komovica is a Balkan rakija made only from fermented grape pomace, called komina in Croatian. Strength is at least 37.5% ABV. Under EU rules it is a grape-marc spirit, like Italian grappa or Greek tsipouro.
Rules. The Croatian rulebook on strong spirits (Narodne novine 61/2009) treats komovica as a separate category. The pomace is distilled with steam or with water added, below 86% ABV, and the distillate may be redistilled. Up to 25 kg of wine lees per 100 kg of pomace is allowed, but the lees may yield no more than 35% of the alcohol. Methanol may be up to 1,000 g per hectolitre of pure alcohol (10,000 mg per litre), and caramel is added only for colour.
How it differs. Loza, or lozovača, is a rakija made from whole fermented grapes, while komovica is made from what remains after the juice is pressed out. It therefore has a sharper, grassy-grape aroma. Young komovica is sold colourless; when aged in wooden casks it turns yellowish.
Istria. In Istria komovica is the base of local drinks: biska is infused with mistletoe, rakija with rue, and medenica is komovica with honey. The Istrian quality mark for komovica requires local pomace and colour from the wood alone, without caramel.
Why this matters to you. Homemade komovica is not checked, and poor distillation of pomace can produce a lot of methanol. Commercial komovica is at least 37.5% ABV, and homemade is often stronger. The WHO notes that there is no safe amount of alcohol.
Facts
| EU category | category 6 — grape marc spirit |
|---|---|
| Raw material | only fermented grape pomace; up to 25 kg of wine lees per 100 kg of pomace |
| Distillation method | with steam or added water, below 86% ABV; redistillation allowed |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | from 37.5% ABV |
| Legal basis | Croatia: Rulebook on strong spirits (NN 61/09), Annex, point 6; Regulation (EU) 2019/787 |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Komovica → affects → 🍷 Alcohol and health ← affects ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Made from
- 🥃 Pomace
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Rakia, 🥃 Pomace brandy
- Related to
- 📍 Istria and Kvarner
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Grappa, 🥃 Tsipouro, 🥃 Hrvatska loza, 🥃 Grape rakia
Frequently asked questions
Is komovica the same as loza?
No. Loza (lozovača) is distilled from whole fermented grapes, while komovica is made only from pomace left after the juice is pressed.
What ABV does komovica have?
Under the Croatian rulebook, at least 37.5% ABV. Homemade versions can be stronger.
Is komovica like grappa?
Under EU rules both are grape-marc spirits, made from the pomace left after pressing. The aroma will differ.
What is biska, and can komovica be coloured?
Biska is an Istrian rakija based on komovica, infused with mistletoe and sometimes sweetened with honey. Under the Croatian rulebook, only caramel for colour may be added; for the Istrian quality mark, the colour must come only from the wooden cask.
Does komovica contain methanol?
Yes, pomace can produce it. The Croatian rulebook allows up to 1,000 g per hectolitre of pure alcohol (10,000 mg per litre), so good distillation matters.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🥃 Grape rakia — Grape rakia is a Balkan grape spirit: Bulgarian grozdova from wine, loza and lozovača from whole grapes, komovica from pomace. From 37.5% ABV; grozdova from 40%.
- 🥃 Hrvatska loza — Hrvatska loza is a clear Croatian grape brandy distilled from whole fermented grape mash, not pomace. EU protected name since 24.04.2012, at least 37.5% ABV (75 proof).
- 📍 Istria and Kvarner — The Istrian peninsula and the Kvarner islands.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Dunjevača · 🥃 Kajsijevača · 🥃 Jabukovača · 🥃 Raisin spirit · 🥃 Fruit marc spirit · 🥃 Rakomelo
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Croatia: Pravilnik o jakim alkoholnim pićima (Narodne novine 61/2009), Annex, point 6 'Rakija od grožđane komine ili komovica' — only fermented grape pomace, steam distillation or after adding water; wine lees ≤ 25 kg per 100 kg pomace, ≤ 35 % of alcohol; distillation below 86 % vol., redistillation allowed; methanol ≤ 1000 g/hl a.a.; min. 37.5 % vol.; caramel only to adjust colour
- Istarska razvojna agencija: Pravilnik o dodjeli oznake 'IQ – Istarska kvaliteta' za jaka alkoholna pića — komovicu, bisku, rudu i medenicu (Croatia; komovica defined after Pravilnik o jakim alkoholnim pićima NN 61/09: only fermented grape pomace, steam distillation; IQ komovica min. 37.5 % vol., colour only from wood; base for biska, ruda and medenica)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Annex I: category 6 — grape marc spirit (grape marc distilled < 86 % vol., lees ≤ 25 kg per 100 kg marc, min. 37.5 % vol., methanol ≤ 1000 g/hl a.a.)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)