Slavonia

Region Continental Croatia

Green countryside landscape in Daruvar region, Croatia, vineyard on hills .jpg

In the northeast of Croatia, where the borders of Hungary, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina meet, lies the region of Slavonia and the Danube sub-region. This fertile region is known for its vast fields and rich agricultural tradition. Amidst rolling hills and valleys full of vineyards, where rivers such as the Danube, Drava and Sava flow, the art of winemaking has been deeply rooted here for centuries.

In this region, the Graševina grape, the most widely planted variety in Croatia, flourishes, producing fresh, dry and sometimes powerful wines. Slavonia is a region that is rediscovering itself. Today, it shines like a hidden gem, known for its culinary delights and exquisite wines. It is only a matter of time before this underrated pearl of Croatia is discovered by travellers from all over the world.

The grape varieties in Slavonia

This region excels in the production of various wine styles, from refined sparkling wines to sweet wines. However, the area is best known for its dry white wines. These crystal-clear wines range in color from subtle yellow-green to deep gold and are characterized by medium to high alcohol content, balanced acidity and refined fruitiness. The aromatic intensity varies, giving each wine a unique character. Graševina is a white grape variety that is not native to this region, but its wines are distinguished from those from other European countries.

Thanks to the favorable conditions, the region is ideal for late harvest wines, botrytis-affected selections and even ice wines. These predicate wines are complex, intense in color and have a rich, almost syrupy texture. Sparkling wines from this area are usually blended from several grape varieties, which provides a wide range of primary aromas and a lively, refined mousse.

Graševina | the grape of Slavonia

Welschriesling is called Graševina in Croatia. This is not a Croatian variety and does not belong to the family of the famous Riesling grape. It has become known mainly through the wines from neighboring countries Austria and Hungary. In Slavonia, Graševina is particularly well expressed.

From sweet to dry, full or light and sparkling, the wine styles vary considerably and the winemaker has a lot of choice with this versatile grape. A trend in recent years is that the winemaker determines which wine style will be made based on the must content, in other words the sugar content.

Graševina wines have an average alcohol percentage and a refreshing acidity, which contributes to their lively and invigorating character. Graševina can also produce full, complex white wines with an impressive depth. The naturally high acidity also makes the grape particularly suitable for the production of sparkling wines, which are sparkling and refined in nature. In addition, Graševina is often used for late harvest wines and even ice wines, where the concentrated sugars and aromas provide a rich, honey-like taste experience.