Located a stone’s throw away from Italy, Croatian Wines are also making their way on to best wine lists and awards. Croatia has also seen a massive spike in tourism since Game of Thrones’ fictional world finding a real-life representation of King’s Landing in Croatia. The history of wine in Croatia dates back 4000 years, with wines produced on Dalmatian Islands by ancient Greek settlers, a whopping 2500 years ago. The Stari Grad Plain on the Hvar island has been planted with wine grapes for 24 centuries and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008. Long-time DWWA judge Dirceu Vianna Junior MW recently included Croatia on his list of ‘Top wine trends for 2021: countries, varieties, and styles worth exploring,’ 

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Currently, there are 300 wine regions with classification systems in Croatia. The most produced kind of wine is White wine, followed by Red, and rarely Rosé. It is indeed a popular drink locally and has made its way into top wines exported around the world. A premium quality wine is known as Vrhunsko Vino, quality wine is known as Kvalitetno Vino, and table wine is known as Stolno Vino in Croatia. These standards, similar to EU’s wine regulations, are set down by The Croatian Institute of Viticulture and Enology. In the parlance, these drinks are referred to as Suho (Dry), Polusuho (Semi-dry), Slatko (Sweet), Bijelo (White), Crno (Red), and Rosa (Rosé). A special dessert wine is also made from dry grapes known as Prošek.

Wine consumption in Croatia is very unique. Locals like diluting their wine in sparkling or still water. White wine diluted with sparkling water forms gemišt and red wine diluted with still water is known as bevanda locally. These wines are made with traditional grape varieties based on local wine hills. While the grapes might not be unique in Croatia, they are unique to the winemaking processes around the world. One such popular grape varietal is Plavac Mali, which is related to Zinfandel. Some popular white wine grape varietals grown in Croatia are Chardonnay, Bogdanuša, Bratkovina, Gegić, Debit, Graševina, Grk, Kraljevina, Kujundžuša, Maraština, Pinot Bijeli, Pinot Sivi, Malvazija Istarska, Sauvignon, Verduzzo, Vugava, etc. Popular red grape varietals are Plavac Mali, Crljenak Kaštelanski, Alicante Bouschet, Babić, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dobričić, Merlot, Drnekuša, Grenaš crni, etc.

The five largest wine-producing towns in Croatia are Ilok, Poreč, Kutjevo, Darda, and Erdut. According to a 2014 report by the Wine Institute, Croatians consume 46.9 liters per capita annually. Some of the top wine producers in Croatia are Ahearne, Tomac, Iločki Podrumi, Korta Katarina, Krajančić, Antunović, Hažić, Zure, Degrassi, Korak, Šember, Damjanić, Dobravac, among others.

Croatia produces a wide range of wines. Source: On Travel

Here are the top 7 wines produced in Croatia:

1. Cattunar, Nono 4 Terre, Hrvatska Istra, Coastal 2015

Made from Malvazija istarska, the Cattunar Malvazija Istarska is one of the most expensive wines made out of Malvasia Bianca in Croatia. It is aromatic and floral. It won a platinum award at the World Wine Awards 2020 with a tasting citation that reads: “ The palate is broad and complex, with good concentration, zesty freshness and mouth-filling peach and fig flavors.” This wine is started with fermentation in an inox tank, followed by 240 days of cold maceration on 10 - 12 °C and finished by aging 30 months in oak barrels of 25 HL. This wine has an ABV of 13.5%

2. Damjanic Wines Clemente 2013

Damjanic Wines Clemente 2013 is a rich and intense red wine made in the Istria region. It is made from a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Teran. This is a full-bodied red wine blend with a rich bouquet of black cherries, tobacco, and cocoa. It has a deep, very dark ruby red color with purple reflections and is elegantly fused with fresh fruit aromas of cherry, currant, blueberry, plum jam, and cherry liqueur. This wine has an ABV of 13%

3. Domaine Koquelicot Belaigra 2017

Domaine Koquelicot Belaigra 2017 is green and flinty white wine made from Chardonnay grape. It is an exciting mix of Chardonnay from the east and west coasts of Istria vinified in French burgundy oak barriques for 10 months. It has strong notes of vanilla, caramel, apricot, orange zest, apple, stone fruit, caramel, brioche, etc.Made in the Istria & Kvarner region, it is floral and aromatic, with tropical fruit, balancing acidity and a good length. This wine has an ABV of 12.0%

4. Korta Katarina Plavac Mali 2012

This rich and intense red wine is made from the popular Plavac Mali grape. The 2012 Vintage has an aromatic profile of ripe flavors, dried and stewed fruit, and aromatic herbs, cedar, licorice. It is smooth, balanced, and elegant with immense potential for aging. Made on the Dalmatia Coast, this wine is a signature product from the Korta Katarina house. It has an ABV of 14.5%

5. Kozlović, Selekcija Malvazija, Hrvatska Istra, Coastal 2017

This 2017 dry wine is dry white, aromatic, and floral. Made from Istrian Malvasia grape it has an ABV of 13%. This wine is fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks for a few months and then aged in a bottle for another two months. A small percentage of Malvazija is fermented and aged in oak barrels, then added back to the wine. The Kozlović creation is an ode and a reimagination of the classic Malvazija served in Croatia.

6. Kutjevo, Graševina de Gotho, Slavonija, Continental 2018

This green and flinty wine is produced from 100% Grasevina and comes from the legacy winemakers of Croatia — Kutjevo. Its Decanter Platinum Award tasting note described the wine as “Scintillating Graševina with a serious, complex nose of honey, pear, spice, flowers and quince. Rich and intense palate with generous notes of peach and apple, bright acidity and penetrative length. Highly impressive.” It has an ABV of 14.5%.

7. Štampar, Urban White Extra Brut, Zagorje – Međimurje, Continental NV

This is a non-vintage sparkling wine made with 100% Moslavac (Šipon, Mosler, Furmint) grapes. A base wine aged in a large oak barrel for eight months, followed by 22 months of aging on lees after the second fermentation in the bottle. Three months after disgorgement, the wine is ready for the market. It has an ABV of 12%.

Article by Prithvi Nagpal, Editor & Sommelier, Beverage Trade Network