Wines of Croatia: First Ever Grand Portfolio Tasting
By Marisa D'Vari | June 13th, 2011 | Category: News | No Comments »
“We are very lucky today!” a woman said, stepping onto the gorgeous rooftop of a West Side building where the gorgeous sun displayed its golden rays after several days of clouds and rain.
And in a similar vein, the wines of Croatia are seeing the light of day. Thirty Croatiion producers were on hand to pour their finest wines, showcasing their unique terroirs. Most of them spoke excellent English, and if I understood them correctly, restaurants are stocking Croatian wines, seeing them as a quality wine and a value.
The native grapes have unfamiliar names, yet many wines I tasted are familiar … Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malvasia. The Croatian wines are made as single varietals and in blends, and from Cru vineyards. Many of the reds had some degree of oak (Croatian) yet softer tannins.
Croatia’s signature native varieties include Grasevina, Malvazija, and Plavac Mali, as well as Posip, Teran, and Zlahtina. To showcase the wines pairing versatility, various dishes were served including lobster rolls. I really enjoyed a sample of the famed Paski cheese from the island of Pag (served both fresh and aged) along with the other gastronomic treats.
While one can’t characterize a wine or style based on thirty producers, overall impressions suggest the reds have softer tannins than many other regions and are extremely food friendly. The whites, because of the climate, highly aromatic. When you see a Croatian wine on the shelf, give it a try
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