Decanter Awards: Croatian winemakers win five platinum and 34 gold medals

Croatian winemakers achieved historic success at the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards. In a fierce competition of 17 thousand wines from 58 countries, they won five platinum and 34 gold medals! Wines from all regions were awarded, and the top quality and competitiveness of Dalmatian autochthonous varieties were confirmed by 22 medals won by winemakers from Šibenik-Knin County.

Between the Krka River and Prokljansko Lake, there are three hectares of vineyards and wines of world renown! Ante Sladić sent 10 samples to the most important wine competition in London and won 10 medals.

“Practically all of our wines won medals and of those, we have three golds. In fact, all of our varieties, all of our positions are covered by medals,” said Ante Sladić, owner of the winery.

Lasina, an old Skradin variety, was almost eradicated. Ante revived it - and experts recognized it. And rated it as the best Croatian rosé ever registered and 12th in the world!

“It is often called "Dalmatian Pinot Noir" although it has no genetic connection to it. But it is reminiscent of it because of its elegance, because of its high quality,” explained the winery owner.

In the karst in Jadrtovac, a vineyard grows Pošip, which has won world gold for the second year in a row. It is closely followed by Maraština and Babić.

“These wines have character and I believe that when all tourists come to Croatia, to the Šibenik region, they want to try indigenous wines, something different than what they usually taste. I believe that all these indigenous varieties should be developed and that they have extremely great potential,” said Nikola Baran, the winery owner.

And the potential of the Promina region - lies underground. In the vineyard above the old mines, the golden debit has a special minerality.

“Every now and then I find lumps of bauxite in the vineyards, so that minerality gives an indelible trace, an indelible stamp to all wines and is obviously recognized at the international level,” said Tomislav Tukić, the winery owner.

With 22 medals this year, Šibenik-Knin winemakers have proven that indigenous varieties are their strongest asset on the global stage. They continue to build on their vision with new wineries, tasting rooms, and thousands of new vines. The best is yet to come from this region.

Source: HRT