If Croatia is only a very young state, it is on the other hand a very old wine country. Wine in Croatia has a long, long history. Vines have been cultivated there since Antiquity. It was introduced around 5 centuries BC by the Greeks who planted the first vines in southern Dalmatia and more particularly in the islands unsuitable for any other form of cultivation with their rocky slopes falling steeply towards an indigo sea.
Today in full renaissance, a direct consequence of the independence won just over 25 years ago (June 21, 1991). It has allowed the emergence of a young and dynamic generation of winegrowers firmly determined to reconnect with an age-old tradition which was in danger. As in France, wines are strictly labeled according to their origin. There are some 300 official wine regions, generally divided into coastal and inland wines. The majority of wines are white and are produced in the interior of the country, while red wines are produced along the coast.
Although there are hundreds of grape varieties in Croatia, experts agree that the red Plavac Mali grape produces the best red wine. Plavac Mali is genetically identical to the Zinfandel grape which clearly comes from Croatia, and not Italy as has long been believed. Prosecco sparkling wine from Croatia comes from the white Bogdanusa grape. Malvazija from Istria and Posip from Korcula produce Croatia's most famous white wines.
