Croatia is proud of it high quality and various wines (up to 700 wines with
protected geographic origin) and brandies, fruit juices, beer and mineral
water. In the south people drink bevanda with their food (heavy, rich flavored
red wine mixed with plain water), and in the north-western regions gem�it
(sour-flavored wines with mineral water).
Excellent Istrian wines include: Malmsy of Buje, Cabernet of Poree, Sauvignon
and Merlot, as well as Terrano of Buzet, Žlahtina of Vrbnik, and sparkling
wines Bakarska Vodica etc.
Dalmatian wines, like olive oil and salted olives, have been praised from
the ancient times, which the present names of some of the indigenous wine
sorts reveal (Grk - Greek from the island of Koreula, Pre from the island
of Hvar). The famous wines include Dingae and Postup from the Pelješac Peninsula,
Babia from Primo�ten, Vugava from the island of Vis, Plavac from Bol, Pharos
and Zlatni Plavac from the island of Hvar, Pošip and Grk from Koreula, Maratina
from the island of Lastovo, Malmsy from Dubrovnik etc. but also Prosecco
(sweet desert wine) and liqueurs (Maraschino, Vlahov).
Zagreb and Varazdind also represent wine region. One should taste the following
fines from this region: Portugizac from Pljeivica and Jastrebarsko, the
Rhine Riesling, Chardonnay from �trigova and Muscat Otonel, sparkling wines
of Turk as well as the wines from wine-cellars in Bojakovina, Pinot Blanc
from Zelina, Moslavina Škrlet from Voloder as well as many other wines,
but also the traditional drink gvirc (gverc) with gingerbread cookies.
Slavonia and Baranje also have very tasty and soft w wines, such as Kutjevacka
Graevina and Kutjevo Chardonnay, Rhine Riesling of Enjingi but also the
Graevina of Krauthaker and Zjelarevi, Ilok Traminer, Pinot Blanc from Pajza
and Erdut, Riesling from Belje are distinguished in the world. The wines
from the wine cellars of the ?akovo diocese, famous for the production of
wines used in liturgical service, are also well known.
Ilok Traminac (supreme quality)
Supreme quality Traminac from Ilok has been produced since 1710.
It is distinguished by an exceptionally high quality, which is recognised
by true devotees of this royal variety. It is of a straw yellow
to golden yellow colour, of a verypronounced varietal aroma and
flavour, and the full-bodied quality characteristic only for Traminae.
Most often, it is a semi-dry to dry wine because it regularly gathers
a high content of sugar,which allows the unfermented sugar to remain
in the wine. Its harmony and elegance make it an exceptionally pleasant
aperitif, suitable for choice from white meat and fish, and it goes
particularly well with light desserts.
It contains from 12.0 to 14.0 vol.% of alcohol,
and 5.0 to 6.0 g/l of total acids.
It is served chilled to 10-12�C.
Packing: 750 ml
�Traminac" show the best varietal characteristics exactly in
Ilok. It was served at the coronation of Quenn Elizabeth and it
is exhibited in the quenn's collection of wines as a wine with king's
quality.
The supreme Welsh Riesling from Ilok is a dry white wine, and only,
in exceptional
years, semi-dry. It is of a nice light greenish-yellow colour, of
an exceptionally developed varietal aroma and flavour. The wine
is full-bodied and harmonious due to its balanced content of alcohol
and acids, and the exceptional pedological and climatic benefits
of the Srijem winegrowing hills. Thanks to all these characteristics,
Ilok Riesling is positively among the leading in Europe. It goes
well with a large number of various dishes from white meat and sea
and freshwater fish.
It contains from 11.0 to 12.5 vol.% of alcohol,
and from 6.0 to 6.5 g/1 of total acids.
Dry white wine of excellent quality from the Hvar vineyards.
It is made from the grapes having the same name as the autochthonous
Hvar variety
growing on the ecologically clean regions: Vrboska, Rugonja, Kru�evje
i Podhum.
It is yellow green in colour. It has a very distinct aroma and a
harmonious and surprisingly fresh taste.
We recommend serving at a temperature 8-12 �C with white meat and
high-quality saltwater fish.
The first Croatian top quality wine of protected geographic
origin: Geneva �1961.
Dingac is made from the indigenous Plavac Mali grape variety grown
in the limited locality known as Dingac on the steep southern hillsides of the
Peljesac Penisula. It has a deep ruby red color, remarkably distinctive
and rich bouquet and subtly pronounced varietal aroma.
Wonderfully balanced and full-bodied flavor that lingers
on the palate is what makes this wine so unique. Chilled
to 18 �C, Dingac pairs incredibly well with delicious dark meat
dishes and quality food fish.
Top quality red wine since 1967. Often referred to as Dingac�s
"baby brother".
Postup, as well as Dingac, must be written with a capital initial
letter, because these
are the greatest Dalmatian wines. It is made from the indigenous
Plavac Mali grape variety grown in the limited locality known as
Postup.
Dark ruby in color, full-bodied and delightfully balanced in flavor,
with a faint note of tartness, Postup Potomje makes a fine match
with dark meat dishes, game and grilled oily fish or squids. It
should be served at a temperature of 16-18 �C.
Among the white wines of Korcula and Peljesac, the best known is
POSIP, which is considered one of the top Croatian wines and almost always served
at state and diplomatic banquets. It was proclaimed a famous wine
in 1967. POSIP is an exceptionally dry wine of a golden color and
a very pleasant aroma. the alcohol strength is about 14%. the vine
from which this famous wine is produced is also called posip, but
the best quality POSIP is obtained from the combination of 50% posip,
40% rukatac and 10% bratkovina. It is made in the cellar of the
PZ Posip in Cara, from grapes grown in the vineyards of Carsko polje,
one of the most beautiful landscapes on the island of Korcula.
