Croatia is a land of good food and good wine. In every part of it, you’ll find amazing authentic food ranging from the Mediterranean diet, which is one of the healthiest in the world, all the way to the classic Balkan meat dishes like “ćevapi”.
Every food has its own best pair in drinks. Luckily, Croatia is home to many great wines which go perfectly with traditional food. Every region in this country has its own tradition of wine-making or viticulture. This is why you’ll find a large wine section in every larger supermarket and you can really get to know Croatia through these wines.
What Are the Best White Wines in Croatia?
Malvazija
This type of wine is authentic to Istria, a coastal region of Croatia. It’s also grown in neighbouring Slovenia and Italy. There are a few versions of Malvazija, one of which has an IQ mark of Istrian Quality. IQ assures you that this wine was made from only the most quality grapes and has gone through the proper process. Malvazija wines are relatively strong and are an ideal match for classic Istrian cuisine.
When visiting Istria, make sure to visit some of its local wineries which offer tours of the wine-making process. Pair this with amazing accommodation and you’ll rest like never before.
Graševina
This is one of the most beloved white wines in Croatia and it’s perfect for “gemišt” – a refreshing drink made of wine and sparkling water. However, it’s an amazing wine by itself, and you might have heard of it under the name Welschriesling. Many other European countries have their own type of this wine. In Croatia, it’s grown in the region of Slavonija so it’s perfect to pair with local Slavonian dishes.
There are some of the oldest wineries in Slavonija where you can visit the vintage wine cellars and try this refreshing wine. For the most luxurious experience, check out Slavonian villas near Kutjevački Podrumi on Villas Guide.
Which Black Wines Are the Best in Croatia?
Plavac Mali
Plavac Mali is an autochthonous wine from the Croatian region of Dalmatia. It’s traditionally made on the southern part of various islands like Hvar, Pelješac and Brač. One of its varieties, Dingač, is the first wine that got the “Croatian Wine” mark. Numerous final products come from this sort so make sure to try them all.
Babić
Another fantastic red wine is Babić, also from Dalmatia. It’s native to Croatia and best paired with classic Dalmatian cuisine or the Mediterranean diet. The perfect match for it is meat dishes. Babić is a dense wine with high alcohol content and sugar so it’s got a characteristic taste. It’s one of the most highly praised wines in Croatia and it’s perfect for long storage so you can bring it home as a present or a memorabilia.
Of course, Croatia is home to many other wines, all of which have their own benefits, but we hope this blog post gives you a good overview of some of our favourites.
