Zagreb recently saw the first international conference on Graševina – Graševina without Borders. The conference was opened by Deputy President of the Graševina Croatica association Marijan Knežević and secretary of the Winemaking Association of the Croatian Chamber of Economy Igor Barbarić, as well as wine expert Saša Špiranec.
“When we speak of Graševina, we immediately think of a superior Croatian wine from Slavonia or Danube Region. It is the most dominant superior Croatia wine, evidenced by the fact that Graševina is cultivated on 4.688,44 hectares, meaning 24.8% of all the varieties in Croatia. The number of vines of Graševina is an incredible 21.328.778. The age of the majority of vineyards is between 4 and 11 years, so the potential is huge. I feel Graševina is the most important variety and wine of the region, whose further development will show its potential,” said Igor Barbarić.
“We are glad we started with the first conference on Graševina, as this is an opportunity for us Croats, just like our guests, to completely get to know Graševina wines from Slavonia, Baranja and Srijem, from 19 cellars which are members of the Graševina Croatica association. This conference is a logical consequence of the story we initiated in 2001 with this association, when we emphasised only Graševina, and through the years we profiled other varieties from our cellars, combined with the tourism and gastronomy offer of each destination. Of course, this is also an opportunity to get to know directions and styles of Graševina from our neighbouring countries,” said Marijan Knežević.
Head organiser Saša Špiranec added he is satisfied with the exceptionally high quality international lecturers and presentation content, as well as the interaction of conference participants. The goal of the conference is to present the potential of Graševina and entice the public to recognise the value of the most represented variety, which is suitable and recognised as an everyday wine with an ideal ratio of price and quality, but also confirmed as a prestigious, exceptionally valuable wine of different styles – even in late harvests of dried grapes or sparklings.
Numerous visitors tasted chosen Graševinas, but also other wines from Croatia, Serbia, Hungary, Slovenia and Austria. Croatia producers presenting were: Belje, Krauthaker, Ilok Cellars, Vino Buhač, PP Orahovica, Feravino, Kalazić, Vina Antunović, Vina Papak, Erdutski vinogradi, Mihalj, Perak, Sontaki and Markota.
