The finest wine varieties in Croatia

Various international grape varieties are grown in Croatian wine regions, but special attention is being paid to indigenous ones that shape the country’s oenological identity.

The finest dishes are naturally accompanied by fine wines, which there is no shortage of in Croatia. Winemakers produce them not only from popular international varieties, but also from indigenous ones, which are gaining traction and are too valuable to ignore. Each Croatian region has at least one very popular and highly regarded variety that is used to produce wines in all price ranges. These are some of the most well-known grape varieties grown on Croatian soil.

Gra?evina aka Welschriesling

This variety, called Gra?evina in Croatian, is also known under the names of La?ki?Riesling, Riesling Italico or Italian Riesling, Olasz Riesling or Gra?ica. It is an international grape variety grown in Croatia and other countries in Central and East Europe. It is popular among winegrowers and winemakers because it is fruitful and resistant to diseases, and produces a steady yield year after year. It is predominantly grown in the regions of Slavonia and Podunavlje, and pairs well with fattier foods characteristic of Slavonian cuisine. It is mainly cultivated in the Kutjevo wine country and the southern slopes of Papuk and Krndija mountains, but it has also had success in the far south of the country, in Konavle. One of the benefits of the Welschriesling is that it can be used to produce various types of wines, which enables winemakers to be creative when it comes to different styles. There are now fresh and mineral Welschriesling wines on the market, as well as more complex wines made after a late harvest, a selected harvest of dried grapes, or an ice harvest, all of which produce sweet and aromatic “predicate” wines served as an aperitif or dessert wine.

Istrian Malvasia

Even though the Istrian Malvasia got its name from the largest peninsula in Croatia, and is considered to be an indigenous Istrian wine variety, the exact place of its origin remains unclear. This grape variety is grown on the entire Istrian peninsula, as well as in the neighbouring countries of Slovenia and Italy. It is rich and fruitful, offering mainly grapes that produce medium strong and strong wines with high alcohol content, medium levels of acidity, and floral and fruity aromas. There are three basic types of wine made from this white grape variety: base Malvasia, a lower-quality wine intended for fast consumption; fresh Malvasia, which carries the IQ (Istrian Quality) mark, is produced from high-quality grapes and has a shelf-life of up to three years; and matured Malvasia that hits the markets no earlier than two years after the grapes are picked, and can last several years.

Plavac mali

Plavac mali, known also as Plavac, Plavac mali crni and the like, is a popular indigenous variety that originated in central and southern Dalmatia, where it is still one of the predominant varieties. The most suitable areas to grow Plavac mali vines are hills facing south, in places such as Dinga? and Postup on the Pelje?ac peninsula, Sveta Nedjelja, Zavala and Ivan Dolac on the island of Hvar, and the village of Murvica on the island of Bra?. It takes a while to ripen, it favours difficult terrain, and it’s resistant to diseases. Plavac mali from the village of Dinga? was the first wine to receive special recognition for its quality in the area of present-day Croatia, in 1961. It can produce strong wines with a high alcohol content and strong flavours, as well as light fruity wines that are usually available in a more affordable price range.

?lahtina

?lahtina or ?lajtina is an indigenous white grape variety of the Croatian Littoral region. It is mostly grown on the island of Krk, specifically on the Vrbnik Field, which produces the most widely known wine from this grape variety, the Vrbnik ?lahtina (vrbni?ka ?lahtina), which bears the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). ?lahtina is considered a high-yield variety. The dry wine it produces is clear, golden-yellow and moderately strong, with a fruity aroma, high minerality and mild salinity, and a smooth and harmonious taste. In addition to being used for winemaking, ?lahtina is also a delicious table grape variety with a full body and thick skin. The main properties of wines produced from this variety come to light during the first two years, which means that ?lahtina is not a wine that should be kept longer than that. Although it is considered to have a short shelf life, it can be used to make sparkling wines by fermenting it in tanks.

Po?ip

Po?ip, Po?ip bijeli, Po?ipak and Po?ipica are all local names for this indigenous white grape variety. It comes from the island of Kor?ula, and can also be found on the islands of Lastovo and Mljet. Po?ip thrives on sandy soils, protected from wind, and gives large clusters that produce a high-quality, delicious wine. The golden yellow wine is dry, offering a strong aroma of dried apricots and figs, and has 12–13% of alcohol. Po?ip wines have a distinct fragrance and high acidity levels, and they make for great wines to store and age. It is one of the oldest and most highly regarded white varieties, which is associated with Kor?ula because it has been cultivated there since ancient times. In 1967, the wine that came from the village of ?ara on Kor?ula became the first white wine in Croatia to be awarded the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), and it still holds value today. In fact, the Po?ip variety is steadily gaining importance in southern Croatia, spreading and being grown on the mainland as well, in vineyards that are sprouting up across Dalmatia.

Babi?

Babi? is an indigenous red grape variety grown mostly in Dalmatia, which produces dark, dense and tasty wines that are highly valued. In Croatia, it is also known under the names of ?iben?anac, Babica, Babi?evi?, Roguljanac and Pa?anin, and there are two widespread subvarieties of it – Babi? veliki and Babi? mali. The two Babi? varieties differ in the size of the clusters, and wines produced from Babi? mali also contain a higher amount of sugar and alcohol and are more full-bodied. Babi? is a dark blue grape variety, with medium large berries characterised by a thin and soft skin and juicy flesh. Babi? grows best in the areas of Jasenovik, Strana, Kremik, Bucavac and Trovrh around the town of Primo?ten, where it has been cultivated since the very beginnings of local winegrowing, as well as in the Ka?tela wine hills, ?ibenik hinterland and the island of Bra?. Babi? is characterised by high acidity and tannin levels and high alcohol content, which make it suitable for a long ageing process and long-term storage.

Frankovka aka Blaufr?nkisch

The Blue Frankish (Frankovka in Croatian) is a red grape variety that has been grown in Europe for centuries, which produces delicious red wines of moderate acidity. It is a variety with a relatively high yield that can be made into exquisite wine, which has led to an increase in its popularity in recent years. It is widespread in inland Croatia, namely the Slavonia and Moslavina regions and Ple?ivica Mountain, but it is also grown in the Croatian Littoral and Istria, where it is known as Borgonja . Among the Blue Frankish vines grown in Croatia, the one from Ilok has received special recognition for its quality. The Blue Frankish initially produces fruity, light and airy wines, but as the wine matures, it becomes more elegant, and in some cases it lasts up to several years. It has a distinct ruby red colour, and its flavour has been described as a fruity aroma of ripened cherries and blackberries.

Taste Adriatic terroir!