Best Central Croatian Alcoholic Beverage Types
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Gemišt is a Croatian cocktail made with a combination of white wine and sparkling mineral water. In order to prepare it, it is enough to simply mix the two well-chilled ingredients together in a glass. It is recommended to use dry white wines with higher acids such as Rajnski Rizling, Graševina, Škrlet, Moslavac, and Kraljevina.
The name gemišt is derived from the German word gemischt, which means mixed. It is especially popular in central Croatia during summer, and it has been found out that continental Croatians enjoyed gemišt as early as the 19th century.
Škrlet is regarded as an indigenous Croatian white grape. Although its origin is still unknown, this late-ripening grape was first mentioned in writing in 1856. It is primarily grown in Pokuplje and Moslavina and gives best results on southern slopes that receive enough sunshine throughout the year. Škrlet is commonly made into fresh and crisp young wine, characterized by its light yellow color with typical green hues.
It usually displays floral and fruity notes of green apples, pears, and yellow plums, which complement its bright acidity. The wine pairs well with light dishes such as freshwater fish, pasta, or poultry-based main courses. Interestingly, the name of the grape stems from the German word scharlach (scarlet fever), due to the typical red dots that occasionally appear on the vine.
Gvirc is a traditional drink from the northwestern part of Croatia, especially popular in Samobor and the surrounding area. The name derives from the German word "gewürz," meaning spice, due to the fact that gvirc is, in fact, spiced mead.
The key ingredients are quality water and chestnut honey. A bit of hops is added, serving as a preservative and imparting a distinct flavor. After fermenting for several months in barrels, the mixture is filtered and colored with caramelized sugar to achieve its signature yellow hue, and various spices are infused into gvirc for added aroma.
Bermet is a type of aromatized wine that hails from Samobor. The base is made with crushed grapes, while the additional components vary, but the most common choices include figs, carob, oranges, lemons, and wormwood (Artemisia absinthium).
The ingredients are left to ferment and are then topped with red wine, sugar, vanilla, cloves, and nutmeg. The drink is then filtered and barrel-aged for a minimum of three months. Bermet results in a dense, ruby red drink with an intensive herbal aroma and a bitter-sweet flavor dominated by fruity, herbal, and spicy notes.
Best Central Croatian Alcoholic Beverage Producers
Wise Grus is a distinguished distillery located in Daruvar, Croatia, a town historically associated with cranes, symbolizing magic, longevity, and mystery. The name "Wise Grus" reflects this heritage, with "Grus" being the Latin term for crane. The distillery is committed to producing high-quality fruit brandies, emphasizing traditional methods and local ingredients.
The production process begins with the careful selection and preparation of fruits, ensuring optimal quality and ripeness. This is followed by controlled fermentation at lower temperatures to enhance fruit aromas, and a sophisticated distillation process utilizing advanced equipment like deflegmators and reinforcing columns.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
BEST Wise Grus Spirits
The Spirit in the Bottle is a Croatian distillery dedicated to producing premium quality spirits. Their flagship product, Old Pilot's Gin, is crafted using handpicked, homegrown strawberries at peak ripeness, free from artificial flavors or coloring, and aged in Croatian and American oak barrels.
The distillery emphasizes a blend of heritage and innovation, aiming to capture the essence of tradition in each bottle. Additionally, they support noble causes by donating €5 from every bottle sold to the Indigo Animal Protection Association.
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2019
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - London Dry Gin Gold Trophy
2019
World Gin Awards - Country Winner
2022
BEST Old Pilot’s Spirits
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2022
BEST Badel 1862 Liqueurs
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2023
BEST Distillery Vertigo Spirits
Tomac Winery, situated in the Plešivica region near Jastrebarsko, Croatia, boasts a winemaking tradition spanning over a century. The family-owned estate cultivates approximately 9 hectares of vineyards, featuring varieties such as Rhine Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and indigenous Plešivica grapes.
Renowned for their sparkling wines, Tomac Winery employs the traditional méthode champenoise. Notably, they were among the first in Croatia to adopt the ancient Georgian technique of fermenting and aging wines in qvevri—large clay amphorae buried underground.
BEST Tomac Winery Wines
Korak Winery, located in Jastrebarsko within Croatia's Plešivica wine region, is a family-owned estate renowned for its premium wines and exceptional dining experience. The winery cultivates approximately five hectares of vineyards on the southern, southeastern, and southwestern slopes of Plešivica's winegrowing hills, focusing on high-quality, limited-production wines.
Korak Winery produces a variety of wines, including Rhine Riesling, Sauvignon, Chardonnay Sur Lie, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. Their vineyards are situated at elevations between 350 and 400 meters above sea level, benefiting from favorable conditions that contribute to the unique character of their wines.
BEST Korak Winery Wines
Best Central Croatian Alcoholic Beverages
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
AWARDS
World Gin Awards - Country Winner
2022
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2019
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - London Dry Gin Gold Trophy
2019
World Gin Awards - Country Winner
2022
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2022
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2023
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum
2022
Tomac Amfora is a unique white wine from Croatia’s Plešivica region, made by Tomac Winery using ancient Georgian techniques. Fermented and aged in underground clay amphorae (qvevri), it blends Chardonnay with local Plešivica grape varieties, undergoing extended skin contact that creates a deep amber color and complex flavors.
The wine offers aromas of stone fruit, citrus, and caramel, with a full-bodied palate featuring dried apricot, orange peel, and subtle oxidative notes. It pairs beautifully with dishes like roasted duck or spicy cuisine and is best served at 8°C. Recognized by Decanter as a stellar wine, Tomac Amfora showcases Croatian winemaking at its finest.
Tomac Amfora Brut Nature is an innovative sparkling wine from Croatia’s Plešivica region, crafted by Tomac Winery as the world’s first sparkling wine fermented in Georgian clay amphorae (qvevri). Made from 50% Chardonnay and 50% old Plešivica white varieties, the wine undergoes six months of skin contact in amphorae, 18 months in wooden barrels, and traditional bottle fermentation.
It has an amber hue, aromas of quince, brioche, and orange, with a balanced palate featuring ripe stone fruits, citrus, and a subtle oxidative note. Recognized by Decanter in its 75 most exciting wines of 2016, it pairs beautifully with seafood and rich dishes, served best at 8°C.
Korak Winery’s Chardonnay Sur Lie Laškovec is a refined, Burgundy-style white wine produced from vines planted in 1990 on the southwestern slopes of Plešivica at 350 meters above sea level. Fermentation takes place spontaneously in 225-liter French oak barrels using natural yeasts, followed by 12 months of aging on fine lees with bâtonnage (lees stirring) every 15 days.
The wine is then matured for an additional 12 months in 3,000-liter, 100-year-old Croatian oak barrels. This Chardonnay offers a complex bouquet of hazelnut, pistachio, ripe melon, and fig, with buttery and smoky nuances. The palate is rich and full-bodied, featuring balanced acidity, a slightly spicy character, and a long-lasting finish.
Diplomat Brut Nature is a premium sparkling wine from Croatia's Plešivica region, crafted by the renowned Tomac Winery. Made using the traditional méthode champenoise, it blends 80% Chardonnay and 20% Plavec Žuti grapes, with secondary fermentation in the bottle and maturation on lees for 3-4 years.
It boasts a pale yellow hue with copper reflections, aromas of ripe pear, grapefruit, and brioche, and a full-bodied palate with fine bubbles and a long, elegant finish. Ideal for pairing with sushi, shellfish, and risottos, it’s best served chilled at 6-8°C, showcasing Tomac’s commitment to quality and tradition.
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