More recently, Croatia has become one of the most thrilling wine destinations in Europe despite an established reputation as having one of the most stunning coastlines and historic towns ever. The Croatian wines are receiving the much deserved recognition finally, and that too with Istria award winning Malvazija, gutsy Teran, Dalmatia indigenous Plavac Mali, Pošip, and Grk. And there is no better way to enjoy them than by enjoying the real-life wine pairing experiences that combine the local food, winemakers who are passionate and unique scenery that the wines are produced.

Croatia is not a destination to simply taste wine, but to get to know the cultural narrative behind the drink. A lot of the wineries of the country are family owned and some of them are several generations old and every bottle signifies the soil, climate and custom of the land. You may be sitting in a hill cellar at Istria, in a vineyard in Dalmatia by the sea, or in an ancient estate in the interior country, all of the experience is intimate, personal and deep to the situation in which it takes place.

The ideal place to start on wine lovers is Istria, commonly known as the Tuscany of Croatia. This is an exquisite white Malvazija that is only a match with fresh seafood, cutting-edge truffle meals, and home-made cheeses. Teran is a very colorful and full of character, but it is matched with Istrian prosciutto which is low cooked meats and aged cheeses. Most wineries have prepared pairing menus and multi-course tastings and vineyard drives which emphasize the wine and cuisine match of Istria. Every traveler needs to have these pairings at least once when they are looking out of rolling vineyards and medieval townships on the hills.

Dalmatia is an entirely new wine character. Here we have sun-tanned vineyards, planted on steep slopes with views of the Adriatic, yielding strong, communicative reds and with sharp and mineral whites. The progenitor of Zinfandel, Plavac Mali, is a fine match with Dalmatian delicacies such as pašticada, grilled fish, lamb under the bell and cuisine based on olives. Wine tasting usually involves local olive oils, seafood, traditional sweets and even chocolate pairing in places such as Hvar, Korčula and Pelješac all intended to bring out the special terroir of that particular island. Dalmatian wines are full-blooded, full of character, full of aroma, and the soul of the Mediterranean.

This is further enhanced by wine pairing experiences in continental Croatia. Plešivica, Međimurje and Slavonia are some of the regions that make some sparkling wines, aromatic whites and wonderful dessert wines that even seasoned wine lovers cannot guess what to taste. Combinations here can be made using homemade pastries, charcuterie, freshwater fish and other local specialties. These are the locations that are not that famous, which makes them ideal for tourists that seek to explore Croatia beyond the shoreline.

Why then is wine-pairing in Croatia really so? It’s authenticity. Several wineries continue to make small batches where emphasis is made on quality, rather than on quantity. The winemakers can be the ones to lead the tastings and tell their stories, family background and how each microclimate influences each varietal. The culinary combinations are local, seasonal and closely tied to the scenery. You are either a wine lover or just a curious tourist, but all these experiences are authentic, personal and memorable.

InTravel Croatia uses wine travel a step further. Wine pairing tours will span across the entire Croatia, introducing you to the absolutely best that this country has to offer you: the small wine shop/vineyard tours, the fine dining restaurants, or the exclusive wine tastings in Vineyards that have not been published anywhere outside the local circles.

The following are some of the most sought-after wine tours:

✨ Istria Wine and truffle pairing tour. This tour is ideal in this category of food and wine tourism, which entails high-quality Malvazija and Teran wine with truffle delicacies, olive oil and visiting lovely hill-top towns.

✨ Dalmatian Islands Wine Experience. Go to Hvar, Korcula or the Pelješac peninsula and see centuries-old vineyards, taste Plavac Mali with a meal and have a lifetime experience of the coastal views.

✨ Zagreb Plešivica Sparkling Wine Route. An excellent option that travelers will have when staying around Zagreb will be family wineries, where one can taste the sparkling wine, have gourmet and wine and local cheeses and pastry.

✨ Wine and culture tour of Dubrovski. Learn the history of wine production of the Konavle area, sample local varieties and savor the matches with classic Dalmatian dishes.

Everyone has a custom-made and tailored-to-you tour that will provide you with the most authentic wine experience ever. Regardless of the purpose of your travel be it to relax, explore the culinary world or a party, the wine pairing events in Croatia provide an ideal mix of culture, flavor, landscape and tradition. One drink reveals to you something new about the character of the country you are in, and every two drinks reveal to you the fruitfulness of the country you are in.

Allow InTravel Croatia to plan the ultimate wine trip. Whether you are taking a wine tour, holding a gourmet lunch, or a personal transfer and chosen winery, we ensure that you have an incredible wine experience as much as the country itself.