Red wines in Croatia usually come from the coastal region, whites from the continents – anyone will tell you this, but the entire story of domestic wines, winemakers and regions is much more interesting
Every region is special, and this identity greatly shapes the terroir, a term used by more experienced wine lovers to describe the climate and people who produce the wine in a region, Tportal.hr wrote on July 15, 2016. There are 41 thousand registered producers, but an overwhelming 92.7% have less than 1 acre of vineyards, while almost 15,000 only 0.1 acres, explained Boris Ocić from Dekanter an association promoting enogastro tourism in Croatia. When multiplied with different climate conditions and soils, it’s clear how much diversity exists in a relatively small Croatia.
What are the most represented sorts?
The winner in this category is without a doubt Graševina, followed by two authentic sorts – Plavac Little and Istrian Malvasia. Other popular authentic sorts include Plavina, Babić, Maraština, Pošip and Kraljevina.
Coastal Croatia
This region is bound by the Dinaridi mountain chain on one side while dissipating into numerous islands on the other side. Mostly red sorts are grown here, producing mostly dark red wines we always associate with the coast and sunny hillsides along the sea. Wines coming from this region tend to differ from each other greatly. Other than the climate, a mild Mediterranean along the entire coast, the soil affects the taste and aroma of wine as well.
Western continental Croatia
Moslavina, Prigorje-Bilogora, Zagorje-Međimurje, Plešivica and Pokuplje are sub regions of the western continental wine production. Although these areas suffered from a bad reputation and prejudice, vineyard positions and soil where vines grow make them an excellent region. No selection of local wines can be made without winemakers from this area. Authentic sorts are Kraljevina and Škrlet, yellow grapes with red spots forgotten in wineries until young winemakers revived it.
Eastern continental Croatia
Danube Region and Slavonia make up their own wine region where the wine queen is certainly the Graševina! There is almost no winery in the region with a Graševina offer, a sort that gives the entire region a good name. Winemakers of the region are known beyond the boundaries of Croatia, from family wineries with long traditions to young hopefuls just winning over the taste buds of wine lovers. The sorts don’t stop with Graševina – this can be seen in many roses, but also red wines, with especially loved sorts such as Chardonnay, Pinot White, Rhine Riesling, Green Silvanus, Frankovka and Pinot Black.
