This year the festivity was prepared in the Zagreb restaurant Agava. Very appropriate, as the duo Belizar-Lugarić can certainly combine wine and food. This time, along with fine fresh Kraljevina which, as you may know, has slightly more acidity, but also lovely, floral aromas (a true summer wine), they offered crostine with Adriatic shrimps and asparagus, chicken liver pate with Parmigiano cheese and truffles crème and tuna tartar with black sesame and dried paprika. Naturally, they were completely on the ball. The snacks went great with young Kraljevina Zelina.
As the tradition dictates, the event was visited by Sveti Ivan Zelina Mayor Hrvoje Koščec and Zagreb County Prefect Stjepan Kožić.
It should be noted the association of wine producers of the wine brand Kraljevina Zelina has its own internal ordinance and rating, hence not everyone can brand their wine with the Kraljevina Zelina label, only those meeting the high standards. The following winemakers made the cut this year: OG Jarec Kure, OPG Željko Kos, OPG Puhelek Purek, OPG Branimir Žigrović, Vina Kos Jurišić, Vina Bedekovich.
As Zelina winemakers say, the main market for their wines is still the City of Zagreb. This means it would be logical that wine tourism is at a high level, as Zagreb and Zelina are at worst 45 minutes apart, but not many Zagreb residents get here. Wonderful tasting rooms, excellent food and even better wine should be reasons enough for at least one-day trips to the Zelina wine road. The economic crisis may have had some effect on this, but Zelina winemakers may have to invest more effort into attracting Zagreb guests.
I must emphasise the marketing trick with wine fairies – an excellent idea. So it is doable, it just needs to get started. So, head out to the Zelina wine road. Kraljevinas are excellent as are other wines – the wine is best at the winemakers, in the cellar.
For the original and more from the G.E.T. Report, click here.
