Europe s Most Overlooked Wine Country

#WineCountry #Croattia

CROATIA
Enjoy the show? We're independently owned and produced and would LOVE your support! You can also watch ad-free! Join Vino VIP: https://www.visforvino.com/vip

Croatia is one of Europe’s most compelling yet underexplored wine nations, where geography and history combine to create remarkable diversity in the glass. From the Adriatic coast of Istria and Dalmatia to the continental plains of Slavonia and the green uplands around Zagreb, the landscapes are as varied as the wines themselves. In this episode, Vince travels across these distinct regions to explore how shifting borders, cultural influence, and family tradition have shaped a modern identity rooted in native varieties. Meeting winemakers championing grapes like Malvazija Istarska, Graševina, Teran, and Plavac Mali, he reveals how this Adriatic country has quietly revived one of the most dynamic wine scenes in Europe.

All locations, wines, and wineries are listed at: https://visforvino.com/croatia/

DESCRIPTION:
Croatia surprised me in the best way. I knew there was good wine here, but I didn’t expect this much range, energy, and personality packed into one country. I start in Zagreb to set the stage. Croatia’s history is complicated, borders have shifted, empires have come and gone, and you can actually taste that mix of influences in the wine. I sit for a long lunch at Restoran Korčula, talking through coastal wines and what sea air and heat do to grapes like Plavac Mali and Posip. Then I swing north to Međimurje and Štampar Winery, where the wines feel totally different. Cooler climate, more precision, bright whites, and sparkling wines that show another side of Croatia most people never see. In Slavonia at Kutjevo Winery, we dive into Graševina, Croatia’s most planted grape, tasting both a classic dry style and ice wine. Then it’s west to Istria. At Kozlović in northern Istria, I taste aged Malvazija and Teran and see how this region balances Italian flair with its own identity. A stop in Grožnjan brings a little culture before heading south to Medea Winery, where sea breezes and limestone shape fresh Malvazija and structured reds. The trip wraps with an upscale dinner at Spinnaker alongside several winemakers, reflecting on how far Croatia has come. Different regions, different climates, different vibes. One small country that absolutely overdelivers