Croatian Wines: Varietals to Know

[ 2 ] June 22, 2010 | The Hungarian Girl

A vineyard in the Island Brac, the third largest island in Croatia.

Compared to other wine producing countries, Croatia exports only a small amount of wines. However, this Mediterranean country of more than 4 million people is quickly gaining a reputation for its fine wines. Recently, the Croatian Institute of Viticulture and Enology has introduced the Protected Geographical Origin status for its wine (similar to the AOC standard in France).

There are three major wine-producing regions along with several subregions and close to 200 registered varietals. Here are just a few of the leading varietals to be found in Croatia.

Babic: A native dark red from Primošten. The grape produces a deeply flavoured wine with a pungent bouquet.

Bogdanuša: A white grape variety grown on the island of Hvar, where it originated from. Wines from this grape tend to be dry with a green-yellow to golden color and contain more than 12% alcohol. Mostly used in blends to add body.

Graševina: Graševina is the most planted white grape variety that serves as the basis for the Slavonian wine industry.

Marastina: A white grape variety which is believed to have originated from Italy. It is grown on the Dalmatian islands and is frequently used as a component in a blend for Prosecco.

Plavac Mali: The leading indigenous red varietal in Dalmatia. Wines produced from Plavac Mali are rich in flavor and high in both alcohol and tannins. One of the best wines in Croatia.

Pošip: A native grape from Korcula which produces some of Croatia’s most renowned white wines. Pošip has distinctive flavor with aromas of dried apricots and figs.

Škrlet: An indigenous white grape variety from Moslavina.

Teran: An indigenous dark red from Istria, once thought to be Refosco, now producing outstanding wines.

Vugava: Aromatic white from the remote Dalmatian island of Vis, believed to be the original Viognier.

Žlahtina: A native white grape from the foothills of Krk and Vinodol, which are cultivated in limited amounts in vineyards not far from the Glagollic town of Vrbnik.

Share this post: