Croatian wines

Croatian wines
by Lena Guttert

Croatian wines have a history that is known since the age of ancient Greek settlers (2500 years ago) and their wine production on south Dalmatian islands: Vis, Hvar and Korčula. Wine is a popular drink in Croatia and the locals drink it with their local specialties. Wine is commonly being diluted with normal or sparkling water that makes 2 drinks known as gemišt (a combination with white wine and sparkling water) and bevanda (a combination with red wine and water). For many years wine production in Croatia was divided in two main groups – continental and coastal wine production. However, few years ago wine experts, wine makers and sommeliers made a new classification in four wine regions – Dalmatia, central Croatia, Slavonia and Baranja as well as Istra and Kvarner. These four main areas are devided in twelve subregions. Today Croatia has 64 different kinds of grapes, more than 800 wine productions and almost   20 000 registered wine makers. The most popular Croatian wines are Babić, Malvazija, Debit, Pošip, Plavac, Bogdanuša, Dingač and Graševina. Most of Croatian wines are white, fewer are red and the least are rose wines. In 2010. Croatia was the 30th country in the world for wine making and the production in total was estimated about  50 000 tons. Croatians are very proud of their wines.