Croatia has a very old wine culture. Long before the Romans conquered the region, the Illyrians and Greeks promoted viticulture on the Dalmatian Adriatic coast. For 600 years, even a drop from this region was considered the finest wine. Similar to Switzerland, the small country is a true insider’s tip amongst wine lovers, due to its diverse climatic zones, great topographic diversity, and numerous native grape varieties. There is one more thing that connects the land of 1000 islands to us: Since Croats usually drink most of their wine themselves, many of the local specialties are unfortunately hidden from the international wine world.
Mediterranean and Slavic
Croatians have a lot to offer. Did you know that the Zinfandel grape variety, extremely popular in California, originally came from the Balkans? “Tribidrag” – as the variety is called in Croatia – is also genetically almost identical to the southern Italian Primitivo. Ripe and strong red wines characterize the narrow coastline and the numerous islands in the Adriatic. The steep vineyards provide optimum sunlight. Perfect ripening conditions result in monumental drops. Its proximity to the sea with its refreshing breezes creates a good acidity structure and ensures that the wines age well. Slavonia has a continental climate with harsh winters and short, dry summers. White wine, for example Grasevina (Welschriesling), is mainly grown there.
International Ambassadors
After the collapse of Yugoslavia, a few young winemakers began making modern wines to compete in the highly competitive international wine market. Winemaker Zlatan Plenković, who passed away in 2016, has made the “Zlatan Otok” winery, with vineyards on the resort island of Hvar and the Dalmatian mainland, one of the best in Southeast Europe and has produced numerous award-winning wines. Today, his sons continue to run the company successfully. With Vlado Krauthaker from the winery of the same name, the North also has an excellent ambassador. Their best wines with a Burgundian touch have already won numerous awards and are highly prized on the international wine scene. Both symbolize the boom that will cause a worldwide sensation in this great wine country.
Coop’s wide range of wines includes producers of “Zlatan Otok” and “Krauthaker”, as well as other Balkan wines.
Inspire yourself!
Tasting Balkan wines, I noticed not only the incredible variety of grape varieties and styles, but also the excellent quality of wines in the middle price segment. You get a lot of wine for relatively little money.
Three Croatians to remember
The article comes from Tobias Gysi, a wine scholar and Swiss sommelier.