12/01/2024
Ready to taste some Croatian wines, try delicious food, and explore some hidden gems along the Dalmatian coastline and inland, please join us in Croatia in September 2024 and September 2025 on the exclusive Gourmet & Wine Journey.
If you are a Travel Advisor interested in cooperation please contact us directly.
Program: https://www.dubrovnikguidetours.com/adriatic-cruises/
Croatia is “a fine wine region with undiscovered wine gems
Although Croatia is a small country, it offers many interesting things to its guests. Among other things, it is interesting for its wine, which has been produced here since the beginning of vine cultivation in Europe. In addition to a long tradition of wine production in Croatia, one can still find a large number of indigenous grape varieties, many of which are of specific characteristics and superior potential. If we take into account the facts that the area for growing grapes is very diverse, that in this small area, four of the five climatic zones can be found, and that there are many variations in relief and soil composition, the conclusion is that Croatia has many kinds of wines of different and often original in their characteristics, in short – wine for every taste.
A large number of varieties have existed here since the beginning of cultivation, and the reasons for this were many. Geographical position, turbulent history, and links with other nations and cultures have enabled our country to be introduced to many foreign varieties, but a large number of the varieties certainly originate from here too. This is further confirmed by the latest results of genetic research which agree that this area is an important center in the development of genetic varieties, whence many Croatian, but also some world varieties originate. Consequently, in the pre-phylloxera era, when the wine was at its peak Croatia was growing more than 400 varieties, but in the reconstruction of vineyards, many varieties disappeared. However, the latest results from Croatian vineyard inventory and genetic identification of varieties in cultivation show that about 130 varieties can still be found that can be regarded as indigenous. Many of them have very high oenological potential, so in recent years several rehabilitation programs have been implemented and some varieties have already become economically important.
Croatia today
Viticulture and wine production are still very important economic activities in Croatia. According to some indicators, a large number of residents directly or indirectly are connected with this production, and the potential is much larger than the current situation. The total area of vineyards in Croatia, according to official statistics, is about 33,000 hectares and wine-growing areas are divided into two regions (continental and coastal Croatia), 12 sub-regions, and 66 vineyards. Within these, many locations stand out with especially good ecological conditions where they produce famous wines. The composition of vineyards shows that the majority of vineyards are small (less than a hectare – more than 80% come under this category) with small producers predominating. Many of those produce wine only for their own use, but there is also a remarkable number of market producers – more than 700 wineries produce around 2000 wines with a protected geographical origin.
But there are only twenty of those whose production exceeds 3000 hl/year and who belong to the category of big wine producers.
Today, Croatia grows many varieties of grape vines – the official variety list shows that there are two hundred of them.
SOURCED: Croatian Eno Gastronomy
If you are ready to taste some of them, join us in Croatia in September 2024 or Sept 2025 on the exclusive Gourmet & Wine Journey.
Program: https://www.dubrovnikguidetours.com/adriatic-cruises/
For more details please contact us directly at
E-mail: [email protected] or +385 91 239 1685 ( Whats App)
