Highlands

Region Continental Croatia

The region also known as "Central Croatia", or the Croatian Highlands region, is gaining popularity. This wine region extends around the capital Zagreb and forms a unique landscape. As can be seen on the map, the area is bordered in the north by the tripoint of Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia. In the west it extends to the Slovenian border, in the east it borders Slavonia and in the south it reaches the Dinaric Mountains.

In this region, most vineyards are located on rolling hills with light to medium slopes, at an altitude of 150 to 400 meters above sea level. In the easternmost part, on the southern slopes of Mount Moslavina, there are vineyards on soils formed by the deposition of newer soil layers on a granite subsoil. These soils consist mainly of sand and clay. A special legacy of the receding ancient Pannonian Sea is the remaining quartz sand, which today contributes to the unique properties and quality of the local wines.

The grape varieties of the Highlands

The Croatian Highlands are ideal for wine growing, where soil, climate and the unique location of the vineyards come together to produce grapes of exceptional quality. The region is particularly dominated by Graševina (Welschriesling), a grape variety that excels here in fresh, lively wines with refined acidity, balanced alcohol content and a generally dry finish. But the true soul of the Croatian Highlands also lies in the rich diversity of indigenous grape varieties, which give the wines an authentic and distinctive character

The diversity of microclimates allows certain grapes to develop favourable acidity levels, ideal for sparkling wines, while others can be affected by noble rot, ideal for the sweet wines of this region.

the Croatian "Champagne"

High-quality sparkling wines are made in the Croatian highlands. The grapes reach an ideal acidity level that is necessary to ensure freshness for these wines. Plešivica is called the “Croatian Champagne”, and this is no coincidence. The rolling green hills and temperate climate create the perfect conditions for the production of sparkling wines. Many of these wines are made using the traditional method, where the second fermentation takes place in the bottle – a technique that ensures refinement and complexity in the glass.

To clarify, the name Champagne is an appellation (protected designation of origin) in France. You will not find the name Croatian Champagne on the bottle. It is an indication and service for comparison with a certain microclimate, soil and method of winemaking.

Drink Croatian "Champagne"

Wine: Griffin Brut

Winery: Griffin Ivančić

Grape: Müller-Thurgau

Colour: White

Alcohol: 11.5%

Location: Plešivica

Region: Croatian Highlands

Year: Non Vintage

Profile:

This sparkling wine is a top production from Croatia. The Müller-Thurgau grape gives the Griffin Brut a pronounced apple-green-yellowish color and typical floral and fruity aromas of apples and citrus fruits. It is a wine with a lively character and the elegance is unmistakable.