10 top Croatian wines under €12 a bottle 

Although it is undeniable that Croatian wines have significantly increased in price recently, there are still some quality wines which won’t break the bank and offer great value for money. 

Gastro portal Kult Plave Kamenice have selected ten excellent and widely available bottles from various wine regions in Croatia that cost between 6 and 12 euros.

Here is their list of 10 Croatian wines that they say offer great value for money.

1. Branko Mihalj Graševina 2021, Kutjevo

(Photo: Mihalj)

The great Branko Mihalj passed away in the spring of 2023. Mihalj, a passionate advocate of Graševina and arguably the most original winemaker from Slavonia, released young wines on the market approximately 16 months after harvest. As a result, Spar began selling his 2021 Graševina just before his death. In some Spar stores, you can still find this vibrant, powerful testament to Mihalj’s talent. The 2021 Graševina has 14% alcohol, is completely dry, contains a touch of botrytis, and will last another seven to ten years. €10.50 (Spar)

2. Cmrečnjak Pušipel Classic 2022, Međimurje

Cmrečnjak Pušipel Classic 2022

This brilliant, crisp, and mildly aromatic wine with a steely structure won a Decanter silver medal. It is one of the best basic Pušipels in Croatia. €9.90 (Vrutak)

3. Dvanajščak-Kozol Pušipel 2023, Međimurje

Dvanajščak-Kozol Pušipel 2023

This summer, Pušipel started to replace Sauvignon Blanc as our favourite wine for hot weather. It seems that the quality of Pušipel has drastically improved over the past five years.

The Dvanajščak-Kozol winery, led by the renaissance man Viktor Dvanajščak, has managed to produce a quite good Pušipel from the notoriously complicated 2023 harvest. €9.50-10 (Vrutak, Vivat, Spar)

4. Vina Laguna Terra Rossa 2022, Istria

Vina Laguna Terra Rossa 2022

Laguna’s Terra Rossa, a cuvée of Merlot, Teran, and Borgonja, also won a Decanter silver medal this year. We know of no other Croatian red wine that costs only seven and a half euros and can boast several Decanter medals.

Terra Rossa is best served lightly chilled, and its fruity aromas and flavours, with some ripe tannins, pair nicely with pizza and barbecue. €7.50 (widely available)

5. Blato 1902. Korčulanka, Korčula

Blato 1902. Korčulanka

Blato has succeeded in making Korčulanka, a fresh blend of indigenous Dalmatian white varieties, one of the most reliable mass-market wine brands in Dalmatia.

Korčulanka offers incredible value for money. It can be enjoyed on its own as an aperitif, but also pairs well with all types of summer salads, as well as small fried blue and white fish. €6 (Vrutak)

6. Vina Laguna Malvazija 2023, Istria

Laguna’s Malvazija in a clear bottle is an absolute bestseller among Croatian wines. Over a million bottles from the 2023 harvest have been filled, and it is already running low in some places. Laguna’s Malvazija is easy to drink but not bland, and its varietal character is easily recognisable. €8 (widely available)

7. Krauthaker Graševina 2023, Kutjevo

Krauthaker Graševina 2023

The name Krauthaker is synonymous with Graševina, synonymous with Kutjevo, and synonymous with quality. Given the strength of the brand and its gastronomic versatility, Krauthaker’s Graševinas are sold at extremely reasonable prices. €9.50 (Vrutak, Spar, Konzum)

8. Belje Premium Graševina 2023, Baranja

Belje Premium Graševina 2023, Baranja

Belje’s Premium Graševina with its gold label is one of the most awarded Croatian wines in Europe. Let us recall that at last year’s Decanter World Wine Awards, the Premium Graševina from as far back as 2006 won a gold medal.

Despite the challenging harvest, the 2023 Graševina has retained a lot of strength and easily recognisable aromas of pear, apple, and chamomile. The 2023 vintage is fresher than several previous ones. €9-11 (widely available)

9. Madirazza Pošip i Maraština 2022, Dalmatia

This fresh yet distinctive southern wine is part of the négociant collection by Tonči Madirazza, one of the most important winemakers from Pelješac (who will soon also be promoting a range of original spirits).

Given the growing popularity of both varieties and the high purchase prices of Pošip, Madirazza’s cuvée of Pošip and Maraština offers excellent value for money. €9.90 (Spar)

10. Iločki podrumi Kvalitetna Graševina 2023, Croatian Danube

Iločki podrumi Kvalitetna graševina 2023

Last year’s harvest was particularly challenging in the far east of Croatia, where diseases nearly decimated the vineyards of Ilok. Nonetheless, even in the most complicated harvest since 2014, Iločki podrumi managed to produce a fresh, technically correct, varietally recognisable wine at an exceptionally affordable price. €5.5-6.5 (widely available)