Croatian wine is one of the country’s best-kept secrets! If you’re heading to Croatia, you’re in for a treat because the wine scene here is a blend of tradition, passion, and a bit of that rugged Mediterranean soul. But here’s the kicker: unlike in Napa or Bordeaux, Croatian wines might not be household names yet, but once you taste them, you’ll wonder why they aren’t. And lucky for you, you can score some amazing bottles at everyday grocery stores without breaking the bank.
Also, as you read, we’ve got prices listed in US dollars $ rather than Euro (which Croatia converted to in 2023). The dollar is usually a little weaker than the Euro but they’re historically close with the US dollar being 80-90% of a Euro dollar.
A Quick Sip of History
Croatia’s wine history goes back over 2,500 years, thanks to the ancient Greeks who first planted vines on the islands. The country’s climate is perfect for winemaking—think coastal breezes from the Adriatic and sunny slopes inland, creating a wide variety of wine styles. But here’s what’s fun: Croatia has over 130 indigenous grape varieties, many of which you won’t find anywhere else in the world. So, get ready to explore some truly unique flavors!
Wine Regions 101
Croatia’s wine regions can be split into two main categories: coastal and continental.
- Coastal regions (like Dalmatia and Istria) are known for their Mediterranean-style wines, especially reds. Think sun-kissed, bold, and juicy.
- Continental regions (like Slavonia and Hrvatsko Zagorje) produce more white wines, often fresh and crisp, perfect for warm days by the sea.
Key Wines & Grapes to Know
Let’s talk specifics. Here are some of the most common Croatian wines and grapes you’ll find in grocery stores, and what you should look for on the labels:
- Plavac Mali (Red)
- Flavor: Full-bodied, tannic, bold, with flavors of dark fruits, dried herbs, and a hint of spice.
- Where it’s from: Dalmatia (southern coast).
- Why you’ll love it: It’s related to Zinfandel (yes, the same grape California loves), so if you’re into big, bold reds, this is your wine.
- Best brands in grocery stores: Look for Dingač or Postup on the label—these are famous subregions for Plavac Mali. Bottles from producers like Miloš, Matuško, or Zlatan Otok are a safe bet.
- Price range: $10–$20. Can you believe that?
- Graševina (White)
- Flavor: Crisp, light, citrusy, and floral, similar to a dry Riesling.
- Where it’s from: Slavonia and the Danube region.
- Why you’ll love it: It’s perfect for hot days, light seafood, or just sipping by the water. It’s also one of Croatia’s most widely planted grapes, so you’ll find it everywhere.
- Best brands in grocery stores: Iločki Podrumi and Kutjevo are two great producers. You’ll spot these in most stores.
- Price range: $6–$12 for a solid bottle. Talk about a deal!
- Pošip (White)
- Flavor: Medium-bodied, peachy, with hints of honey and almonds.
- Where it’s from: Korčula (island in southern Dalmatia).
- Why you’ll love it: Pošip is a coastal white that pairs beautifully with seafood (which, let’s be honest, you’ll be eating a lot of in Croatia). It’s richer than Graševina but still super refreshing.
- Best brands in grocery stores: Korta Katarina, Grgić, and Blato 1902 are solid picks.
- Price range: $12–$18.
- Malvazija Istarska (White)
- Flavor: Crisp, mineral-driven, with notes of green apple and lemon.
- Where it’s from: Istria (northwest coast).
- Why you’ll love it: Malvazija Istarska is super food-friendly. It’s the go-to white in Istria, and locals swear by it. It’s zippy and refreshing, perfect for seafood or a fresh salad.
- Best brands in grocery stores: Kabola, Roxanich, and Coronica are solid picks.
- Price range: $10–$15.
- Teran (Red)
- Flavor: Earthy, fruity, with lots of dark berry flavors and a bit of spice.
- Where it’s from: Istria.
- Why you’ll love it: It’s a red that’s not too heavy—perfect for sipping on a warm evening. Teran is Istria’s flagship red, and it’s got a wild, untamed flavor that pairs wonderfully with grilled meats.
- Best brands in grocery stores: Look for Clai, Benvenuti, and Trapan.
- Price range: $10–$18.
- Babić (Red)
- Flavor: Rich, with dark fruit, dried figs, and earthy undertones.
- Where it’s from: Dalmatia (especially near Šibenik).
- Why you’ll love it: If you’re into something a bit more rustic and intense, Babić is your go-to. It’s fantastic with Dalmatian prosciutto or cheese.
- Best brands in grocery stores: Bibich and Bura make excellent Babić.
- Price range: $10–$20.
Grocery Store Shopping Tips
- Look for labels with the words “vrhunsko vino” (premium wine) if you want to splurge a little, but “kvalitetno vino” (quality wine) will still give you great value.
- Don’t sleep on local co-ops (called zadruga). They produce fantastic wines for everyday prices.
- Ask the locals! Croatian grocery store staff or even other customers are super friendly, and they love recommending wines.
- Supermarket chains like Konzum, Tommy, and Spar often have wine sections filled with local treasures. Don’t worry, you won’t need to search for some fancy wine shop—just hit the local supermarket, and you’re golden.
Wine Tasting Site
Random cultural wine tidbits
You’ll see a lot of Croatians mix in sparkling water with their wine. It’s called Gemišt, a word borrowed from the German where gemischt means mixed (both the Croatian and the German words are pronounced exactly the same). People mix white wine (usually dry wine) with sparkling mineral water in various ratios. In short, it’s a way to make your wine go further and on a really hot day, it’s a way to hydrate while you drink alcohol. Croatians also do this mixing when they come to the U.S. and it baffles most servers.
In a lot of small towns, you’ll see plain bottles with wine for sale (like the main image for this post). These are super fun to buy and try and you never know what you’re going to get.
Places to read more from the experts about Croatian wine in-depth
- Valentina Silovic is a sommelier, writer and wine enthusiast and she will forget more about Croatian wine than we will ever know. We use her recommendations a lot. She has some great “guide” pieces on wineandmore.com:
- Of course a good Reddit thread, because what is research without Reddit?
- A fun, short YouTube series on Croatian wines from Exotic Wine Travel and Matthew Horkey.
Final Quick Tips
- If you see a bottle with the label Plavac Mali or Dingač and it’s around $10–$15, grab it!
- For whites, Graševina will be your trusty sidekick, and at $6–$10, you can’t go wrong.
- Don’t be afraid to try wines with unpronounceable names—Croatian wines are a world of discovery!
Now, all that’s left to do is grab a bottle (or three), head to a sunny terrace, and enjoy the taste of Croatia. Cheers, or as we say in Croatia, živjeli!