Croatian wine is starting to attract international attention, but with 130 indigenous varieties, many of which are unpronouceable and most unknown, it is difficult to know where to start.
So why not start with some expert advice, with a range of quality wines from all over the country at an affordable price? Here is our recommended entry level Croatian wine mix to give you a flavour of Croatian wines, which will have you coming back for more. Have a wine snob friend you would like to impress? A case of quality Croatian wine under the Christmas tree is guaranteed to surprise…
Reds
Jerković Mračaj 2012 (Dalmatia)
The mineral-herbal and fruit aromas reveal a dry and serious wine (Croatian Mračaj means mrak= Eng. Darkness). The beautiful cherry aroma rises up from the dark depth of the wine to the surface where it opens up. Precise fruity aroma is persistent and concrete with only 11.8% of alchocol.
Bibich R6 Riserva 2014 (Dalmatia)
A dry red wine from varieties Babic, Lasin and Plavina. The wine smells like sweet berries – strawberries, blackberries and homemade cherry juice with a pronounced rustic charm. Indigenous varieties of the Šibenik region complement each other perfectly in this bottle. The wine is light and smooth, with a distinctive ruby color and light spices and black pepper aromas. Full on the palate, harmonious, lively, intriguing.
Josić Couve 2015 (Podunavlje)
This wine is quite unusual “Bordeaux-Burgundian” blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir. It has pronounced nose of Cherry, raspberry and blackberry aromas. On the palate it is stylish, long with layered flavors of black currant, clove, coffee beans, black pepper and dark chocolate. Oak is well integrated with supptle tannins.
Whites
Galić Graševina 2015 (Central Croatia)
Premium dry wine from Slavonia, Kutjevo winegrowing area. 100 % Graševina, selected from the best locations after yield-decreasing harvests (1 kg/vine). Attractive and gentle fruity aromas of pineapples, green apples and vineyard peaches, as well as spicy aromas of chamomile and dry hay. It has a characteristic bouquet of Kutjevo winegrowing area terroir. The wine was fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks in a controlled environment. The final touch is given by spiciness typical of Graševina.
Puhelek Purek Sauvignon Blanc 2015 (Slavonia)
Fresh on the nose, herbal notes like freshly mown meadows mixed with traces of elderflower and citrus. Rugged and lively in the mouth, refreshing and intense and persistent flavor with tropical citrus-finish.
Rosé
Bolfan Vinski Vrh Pinot Noir Rosé 2015 (Central Croatia)
Beautiful intense pink color, smells very clean, precise, open, fresh red fruit; strawberries, raspberries, red grapefruit, great integrated acid, fine tannins, slightly crunchy, smooth. Dry rose wine with 12.5%, geographical origin Zagorje-Međimurje. Simple, yielding, harmonic. Exactly what it should be.
This introductory case is priced at €44.99 for six bottles and €89.99 for twelve (two bottles of each) plus shipping all over the EU, an excellent introduction to the diversity of Croatian wine. For more information, and to order, click here.
