9 Eastern European Countries Making Bang-For-Your-Buck Wines

Sep 13

Featured on the Alcohol Professor // September 13, 2020

Croatia

The wines of Croatia have become increasingly popular in the last decade, but they have been made here for centuries. Croatia recently joined the EU in 2013 and has become a tourist hotspot due to its sunny weather and friendly locals. Vineyards scale the Dalmatian Coast and its islands up to Istria in the north and inland near the capital, Zagreb. Hvar Island (A UNESCO Site and home to the oldest still-operating vineyard in the world, Stari Grad Plain) and Pelješac Peninsula are the centers of quality wine production in Croatia. Fun Fact: Zinfandel was recently discovered to be native to Croatia, where it is known as Crljenak Kastelanški.

Wines to try:

Skaramuča Plavac Mali 2017 - Dingač, Pelješac Peninsula ($15-$17) Plavac Mali (meaning “small blue”) is an offshoot of Crljenak and grows in amphitheater-shaped vineyards that gaze out to sea. This unoaked fruity red is great chilled and yummy with oysters.

Slovenia

Much like its neighbors, Slovenia has emerged from the grips of communism. In 1991, Slovenia broke free from Yugoslavia and focused on rebuilding viticulture by establishing the Zaščiteno Geografsko Poreklo system to further distance from its low-quality wine past. Scattered around Slovenia’s borders are three winemaking regions: Primorska, next to Italy’s Friuli, Podravje in the northeast, and Posavje, a stones-throw from Croatia. Collectively, production is overwhelmingly white (hovering around 70%) with native grapes Zelen and Pinela producing juice in a wide range of styles. Sivi Pinot (Pinot Grigio) from Brda is also worth a sip.

Wines to Try:

Rodica Refošk 2016 - Primorska ($18) This robust rouge comes from vineyards perched near the Gulf of Trieste that give it some mineral, spice, and everything nice.