One thing I have learned about Croatian wine is that it is full of surprises, from undiscovered indigenous grapes to sublime tasting experiences.
Croatian wine is not so well known on the international scene, although things have been changing on that score in the last few years, as more and more international interest focuses on the Croatian wine story, which it is why I was more than a little surprised to learn that a Croatian wine was served at one of the great events in the UK sixty years ago, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
And how about this for a good day for the sales team – the royal order amounted to no less than 11,000 bottles.
The wine in question was the 1947 Traminac from Ilocki Podrum, a wine which is apparently still to be found in the royal cellars in England. Its continuing quality is also not to be disputed, with the wine today winning awards at international level. These include:
Silver medal: Decanter World Wine Awards 2013 (2011 vintage)
Bronze medal: International Wine Challenge London 2013 (2011 vintage)
The Croatian wine appearance at the British coronation may be well known inside Croatia, but not – I am sure – so well known outside the region, one more fascinating snippet of the Croatian wine story, and further proof of the quality of the wines on offer.
Ilocki Podrum is one of Croatian wine’s most majestic tasting experiences, and well worth the drive to the eastern border of the country, where there are more fascinating stories to be told over a tour and tasting of one of Croatia’s most important wineries.
Looking to visit Ilok and learn more. Take the Total Croatia Wine Tour to Ilocki Podrum – more details here.
And if you want to keep up with royalty over in Britain, you can order the Ilocki Traminac through Croatian Fine Wines.
