Wine Guide

Croatia has over 130 indigenous grape varieties and a 2,500-year-old winemaking tradition — yet hardly anyone knows Croatian wines. This is changing rapidly.

The Most Important Grape Varieties

Grape Variety	Type	Region	Character
Plavac Mali	Red	Dalmatia	Related to Zinfandel. Full-bodied, dark, tannic. Croatia's most important red variety.
Dingač	Red	Pelješac	First Croatian appellation (PDO). Plavac Mali from steep slopes above the sea. Concentrated, high in alcohol (14-16%), expensive (20-50€).
Postup	Red	Pelješac	Softer sister of Dingač, also Plavac Mali. Fruitier, more accessible.
Babić	Red	Primošten	Medium-bodied red with herbal notes. Perfect with grilled meat.
Teran	Red	Istria	Fruity, acidic red on Terra Rossa soil. Good with truffles and pasta.
Graševina	White	Slavonia	Croatia's most cultivated variety (= Welschriesling). Fresh, light, affordable.
Malvazija Istarska	White	Istria	Aromatic, full-bodied, often aged in wood. Istria's flagship white.
Pošip	White	Korčula	Full-bodied, complex, with notes of almonds and honey. Croatia's best white wine.
Grk	White	Korčula (Lumbarda)	Extremely rare — grows only in Lumbarda on Korčula. Mineral, dry, unique. A must-try!
Žlahtina	White	Krk (Vrbnik)	Light, fresh white, perfect with fish. Best enjoyed in Vrbnik on Krk.
Debit	White	North Dalmatia	Light, fruity, uncomplicated. Perfect summer wine.

Wine Regions

• Istria: The most exciting region — Malvazija and Teran on red soil. Wineries: Kozlović, Coronica, Kabola, Benazić, Roxanich (Orange Wines!)
• Pelješac: Steep slopes above the sea, Plavac Mali at its best. Dingač and Postup are cult. Wineries: Matuško, Saints Hills, Mike Grgić (the Croatian-American wine legend)
• Hvar & Korčula: Island-specific varieties: Pošip, Grk, Bogdanuša. Wineries: Tomić (Hvar), Bire (Korčula)
• Slavonia: Continental climate, Graševina dominates. Emerging: Krauthaker, Kutjevo