More than five dozen distinct grape varieties are grown in Croatia, with 800+ wineries and some 20,000 registered winemakers producing many delicious wines, but these are the wines you’ll want to put on the top of your list to try.
Babić
Babić is grown around Sibenik at the north end of the Dalmatian Coast region from the native Croatian grape. It produces a dark, full-bodied red wine with a strong density and intense fruit flavor with aromatic spices and soft, rounded tannins, very tasty with cheeses, meats, or fish.
Bogdanuša
Bogdanuša is an ancient grape variety that originates in Stari Grad but today it’s mostly grown around Ager, producing light white wines with a refreshing taste and floral aroma. The name translates to “gift from God,” with Bogdanuša wines playing a significant part in religious festivals. Try it with a risotto, fished-based main course, or seafood stew.
Borgonja
Borgonja comes from Istria, a soft and fruity dry medium-bodied wine with a ruby red color made from the gamay grape. It goes well with soft cheeses like Brie, goat cheese, cured hams, smoked salmon, and roast lamb.
Debit
Debit is made from yellow grapes in the Dalmatia Coast region. It’s one of the predominant grape varieties, also referred to as Pagadebit and Puljižanac, and has a citric herbal taste. Enjoy it with chicken-based dishes, cooked white fish, or grilled prawns.
Dingač
A robust red wine made from the Plavac Mali grape in the Pelješac Peninsula, part of the Dalmatian Coast region, Dingač is a high-quality wine often chosen for special occasions. One of the most famous Croatian wines, it ranges from dark red to purple and has a fruit flavor, with cherries, plums, and herbs, pairing well with red meat and aged cheese.