Tasting Wines From Croatia

Tasting Wines From Croatia – Episode #798

January 11, 2010

Gary and guest Cliff Rames, who’s spreading the word about Croatian wines and grape varietals, taste through 4 different and interesting bottles.

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“Thanks a landlord it! I acquired yet some insight. Life is so colorful…” by air jordan 2
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Bibich Debit Lucica
2007 Ottocento Crno
2006 Bura Plavac Mali
2006 Enjingi Riesling

Links mentioned in todays episode.

Posted in Croatia, red, review, white, wine, wines

View Comments

January 13, 2010

brianaf
Absolutely fantastic episode!
January 13, 2010

Bought Records
In 1993 I worked with a guy who was a dual citizen, Croatia and the US. His father sent him some wine before Christmas and everyone he knew did not appreciate wine but he had grown up with it. He knew that I liked wine and asked me to share it with him. It was amazing wine. I do not remember the vineyards and never knew the price range but it was among the best wines that I have tasted. In fact it was the first time that I had a white wine that I loved. The red that he had was pretty amazing as well but I was kind of in shock at how much I loved the white when that had never happened to me before. He got a lot of good laughs out of that.
January 13, 2010

danoeno
“I've had one Croatian wine in my life and it wasn't memorable”

Don't base your opinion on the entire country on one unmemorable wine. I've had unmemorable wines from France, Italy, Portugal, Argentina, and the US. Yet I still keep drinking and exploring wines from each of these countries!
January 13, 2010

Richie
QOTD: Not yet. But I have been to Croatia and liked it alot. Beautiful country!
January 13, 2010

Loren Sonkin
I have had a few. Gary nails it wanting more value driven wines. None of the wines I have had were worth the money other than to try a different wine region. I would buy another bottle or two, but to buy more the prices need to come down (at least for me).
Here are my notes on the wines I have had:
2004 Kozlovic Malvazija
Probably should have been drunk a year ago, but still showed well. Deep golden in color, clear and bright. The nose has minerals and peaches. Nice texture. Peaches on the palate with a nice crispness from the acidity. Long finish. 13% Alc. 87

2005 Bura Dingac.
Bottle No. 0868. Purple in color, ruby hues and mostly opaque and bright. The nose has some spice and black raspberries. A nice earthiness to it as well. On the palate, this goes well with the pizza. Zinesque, is easy to say knowing the relationship of Plavic Mali to the Zinfandel grape. I am not so sure, but perhaps. A bit of coffee grounds and plums on the palate. Good finish. I liked this wine, but I paid $60 for it (out of curiosity) and it is not worth anywhere near that. At $15 to $20, it would be a fun wine. That said, for a one timer, it was fun.

2004 Zlatan Plavac
Made from the Plavac Mali grape. Ruby/black in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has some brett to it, which I really enjoyed. Also some black pepper and cranberries. On the palate, this is a bit to alcoholic. It does not fully handle its 14.5%. At the same time, there is a lot of acidity to this. It NEEDS food. Tastes of cranberries, raspberries and black pepper. It mellows a bit with air. Nice finish. A fun wine. I paid $37 and not worth a second bottle, but the first was worth it for the opportunity to try something different. 88

Excellent show.
January 13, 2010

missatiejacket
Great show. I haven't had any Croatian wines, but I will certainly try some if they become available in my local market (Maine) or if I see them in my travels.
January 13, 2010

nickcaruth
wow, awesome episode, cliff knows his stuff

qotd – no but I'm going looking for some today
January 13, 2010

jayhitek
QOTD: Never have tasted one. Would like to though.
January 13, 2010

Bking
Great show! Also just watch the episode on Merlove and thinking I”m gonna have to see what it's all about! Keep bringing it not just with the shows but great guests!
January 14, 2010

cmaloy
LOVED the show!!! Cliff was an amazing guest and now I am on the hunt to try some Croatian wines.

QOTD: I have not tried any, but I will soon. Gonna have to make a trip to Croatia now just for a wine tasting.
January 14, 2010

RG
Great one, GV.
January 14, 2010

Cliff
Wines of Croatia will alos eventually be organizing wine tourism trips to Croatia…stay tuned!!
January 14, 2010

cmaloy
I am looking forward to this. I would be interested. Please let me know.
January 14, 2010

gncohen
Great episode!! Excellent guest. Wish the wines were a bit cheaper and affordable though! I wonder if they're easy to find in Tennessee where I live….
January 14, 2010

Phil G
very interesting, looking forward to trying some more croatian wines!

qotd – i know that i've had some in the past, but can't remember any specifics… again, look forward to having more in the future.
January 14, 2010

Phil G
nice win for the Jets last Sat, btw…
January 14, 2010

Weston3220
now this is my type of episode, a wine passionate person, well two.

qotd: nope never I would have to check if there is even any here in BC. Canada
January 14, 2010

teckdeck2008
Wow, you've picked some good guest lately.

Qotd: I have never had any Croation wine, but its mostly due to lack of money lately. Once I get a legit job, I'll definitely try a wine from a different region every week. And from the way the episode went today i should probably make croatia my next choice.
January 15, 2010

JudyYo
This was a guest who was well informed and prepared. He was worth watching. As soon as the show was over I ran down to our local Whole Foods to see if I could find the wines he talked about but no luck. I am going to continue the search because I want to try these. Please continue to have shows that broaden our knowledge.
January 15, 2010

jsums
Never had a Croatian wine…but I will now. Thanks, fellas!
January 15, 2010

Hampers
Just gone through the Tasting Wines From Croatia – Episode #798 and found it to be awesome. Love this episode. Keep up the good work.
January 15, 2010

alexkeywest
I spent 3 weeks in Croatia last june. The wines and the food are at best mediocre. We were in Split, Hvar, Dobrovnic and several smaller islands. We ate in the highest rated restaurants in the major cities and highly recommended places in addition. We also ate in many konobos (the equivalent of a family run tratoria in Italy). Again the food was mediocre and the house wines, with the surprising exception of the rose, almost undrinkable. $ 50+ for a Croatian wine….you're crazy
January 16, 2010

wiljak
Get the man a microphone.
January 16, 2010

jason
QOTD; Was drinking the Bibich Riserva Skradin while watching the show. Mind boggling to try and relate this to US Zinfandel.

Great show Gary! Would love to see more on these little known outposts of the wine world!
January 16, 2010

lindseyc1112
Great show, this one and the last, love the lil niches of the wine world and world in general and all the information. Found the part about the toughness of the skin and its drought tolerance to be interesting. Loved shows 797 and 798. Good work.

Linds
January 17, 2010

BigJoe
Your guests' passion was absolutely contagious. Probably the best show to date in mho. I appreciate your steadfast dedication to the value plays, but please don't be afraid to showcase the pricier wines occasionally. Even us broke-ass guys out here like to splurge on a really great wine every now and then, and these give us something to aim for so we aren't in danger of wasting our money.
January 17, 2010

JiminAtlanta
Very interesting show. I have not had any wines from Croatia, but it sounds like I should. I hope to get to Croatia in the next few years and try some there.
January 18, 2010

Joe Trdinich
I visited Croatia in the summer of 2005 and had a few wines there. I liked the reds, did not care for the whites. Brought home a bottle of 2001 Milicic Dingac that our wine group rated very highly and wished we had more. In addition to being a beautiful country I was very impressed with the reds.
Thanks for a great show!
January 18, 2010

andre_hm
Hi Cliff.

QoTD: being in Hungary (just next door to Croatia), and enjoying summers in the Adriatic, I got to taste loads of it. I usually find the whites more consistently good than the reds. I've had some Matusko Dingac 2005 that was really good. I even had some home made stuff in Hvar island that tasted beautiful. If anyone goes over there, try their destillates: Biska from a producer called Veralda, is excellent (and not too strong at 38%).

My concern coming back was to be stopped at the border and have the boot open by the guards… would be difficult to explain all those bottles.
January 18, 2010

andre_hm
Alex, thing is, as Croatia becomes more and more turistic, attracting many times less demanding tourists from Europe, you cannot stop at the first joint.

Go off peak season and you'll be treated much better. Don't just stick to the coastline and go inland. Ask around for a restaurant. Buy your own wine and fish from the market (if you know how to/can cook it). The rules pretty much apply wherever you2're travelling to.
January 19, 2010

pawncop
This was a great episode. Good guest and as you pointed out, very well prepared.

QOTD – Not yet but will be looking for them.
January 24, 2010

markedjone
All people that love white wines give it a try to the “Traminac” (variety of grapes: traminer or gewurztraminer in Germany) made by “Ilo?ki podrumi.” Gold colored, low acid, oil texture, rose, honey, ginger, lichy.. amazing wine..
January 24, 2010

Filip Floreani
Hey guys thank you for spreading the news on Croatian wine that is finally evolving into something presentable to the US and the rest of the world.
I only find that Slavonian wines and particularly the red ones are somewhat underestimated when compared to Dalmatian and Istrian grapes. So why not try a bottle of Frankovka from the Orahovica and Pozega district. Kept in barrique it proves to be a very gamy full of taste of black berries and a hint of vanilla. I'd be thrilled to see a bottle of those on the show which I find highly entertaining and inspiring.
Best regards and keep going,
Filip
January 24, 2010

Cluster001
I would like to thank you for the promotion of Croatian wines!

I am from the continental part of Croatian territory. There are several authentic wine that should be mentioned “Traminac (white)”, “Grashevina (white)”, “Frankovka (black)”. These are wines with numerous international awards. There are several interesting stories from the history of the Croatian people about wine (history of the Ilok Fort – http://vinskacesta.opcina-erdut.hr/). Did you know that Croatia has the biggest wine barrel in Erdut town 75,000 l (http://vinskacesta.opcina-erdut.hr/)?
January 24, 2010

mostar
keep on tasting Croatian wines Gary!
much respect !
January 24, 2010

dalibor
Nice show,
I have a suggestion 4 U:
U should try some wines from Mr. Mihaly Gerstmajer,
village of Zmajevac, region of Baranja, Croatia!!
Good work, keep on promoting our small, but beautiful country!!! )
January 25, 2010

Antun
Enjingi? Wow!

You can see all other wines from Enjingi here: http://www.enjingi.hr/en_wines.html

And of course – keep on tasting Croatian wines and come to Croatia Gary
January 25, 2010

ahillsey
Cliff's a cool dude.
January 27, 2010

John Santamaria
Great episode and an outstanding guest. Would really love to give these a try, especially the Ottocento Crno. I just emailed the distributor so hopefully the can point me towards some retailers that ship to or are within a short drive of the Allentown, PA area. Thank you Gary for expanding my wine knowledge.
January 31, 2010

Sonja
I'm from Croatia and just wanted to say great work Cliff on promoting Croatian wines (I'll be checking out the website). Hope the word on Croatian wines spreads.

QOTD: From these here I've only tried Enjingi Riesling, but now I'll definitely look up Ottocento Crno (being in a red wine phase now). Another great red wine is Frankovka, from the northern continental part of Croatia.

Also Gary, hope you do a show on Macedonian red wines, they're currently my favorites.
February 27, 2010

donutcrisis
This guy has an amazing temperament and personality. I would like to see you bring him on for another round of Croatian wines. He really knows his stuff.
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