Carić Winery Plovac Ploški from Hvar featured in best restaurant in Holland. Three Michelin starred De Librije even created a special menu item to match the big Croatian red.
Plovac Ploški by Carić Winery from Hvar has been chosen by the three-Michelin starred De Librije restaurant in The Netherlands
Croatian wines are increasingly seen abroad. More and more top sommeliers are enamoured of the pearls of Croatia and the wines are now even served in the best restaurants in the Benelux, including the three-Michelin-starred De Librije. Here is the very first delivery.
Bogdanuša, pošip, graševina, plavac mali, to Dutch and Belgian wine lovers this sounds like secret language. That is because in The Netherlands and Belgium these varietals are still unknown.
Croatiangrapes.com is an importer of Croatian wines in the Benelux. They started less then two years ago and have already achieved a lot in the promotion of Croatian wine. Step-by-step they are working to introduce the finest Croatian wines to the adventurous wine drinkers in their market.
The best way to do this is by introducing the wines to people who create innovative wine lists. “For this we have to start at shops and restaurants in the high-end segment”, says Croatiangrapes.com’s founder and co-owner Mario Pranić.
“Especially the last six months we achieved a lot. We have many shops and restaurants now selling Croatian wines and we even achieved to get wines on the menu of several Michelin-star restaurants both in The Netherlands and Belgium. Including the three-Michelin-starred De Librije, which was once again voted ‘Best Restaurant in The Netherlands’ this year.”
After a thorough selection with several tasting rounds the sommeliers of De Librije selected Vina Carić Plovac Ploški 2009 to accompany a extraordinary delightful new dish on their menu developed by head chef and restaurant-owner Jonnie Boer. This beautiful dish is: Lamb with mushrooms, seaweeds and yogurt with salted lemon. This special high quality Dutch lamb comes from the ‘Kamper Island’ in the vicinity of the restaurant. The big red wine from the hot, rocky southern slopes of Hvar island in the Adriatic is the perfect compliment to the aromatic lamb dish.
Carić winery is based in the village of Svirče on the island of Hvar. They produce a full range of red, white and rosé wines from grapes grown exclusively on the island, including some varities that are not grown anywhere else.
Owner and head grower Ivo Carić, himself also a gourmet chef, said: "We are very proud to be selected by De Librije. It is great that Croatian wines are beginning to get the recognition they deserve. It is especially pleasing that the best restaurant in Holland created a special dish to match our wine."
From the steep slopes of Hvar to the level plains of the Netherlands
Another Michelin-star restaurant, Sel Gris in Belgium, added the eco-Brut Re 2013 from Kabola in Istria to the wine list and very soon they will serve another Beautiful Croatian wine from PP Orahovica. This latter wine will be new in the range of Croatiangrapes.com.
“My dream for the future?”, Pranić knows exactly what that would be. “First we have to ‘conquer’ the top restaurants. Meanwhile we need to find more ‘open-minded’ wine shops across the Benelux so people start to see Croatian wines everywhere. Ultimately, I hope the beautiful Croatian wines will become mainstream and are widely available. We really believe in that, that’s why our company slogan is: Life is Grape!”
At this moment Croatiangrapes.com is working with six wineries; Kabola from Istria, Vina Carić and PZ Svirče from the island of Hvar, Feravino Feričanci and PP Orahovica from Slavonia and Vinarija Madirazza from the Peljesac peninsula.
Total Croatia News also contacted Paul Robert Blom, who heads Schermer Wijnkopers Hoorn. His company has been importing wine and spirits into Holland since 1782, and Croatian wines since 1969. Blom is an internationally recognised wine expert and judge, who has been judging wines at international competitions for over forty years.
"Well done! This is a great achievement for Criatian wines. Our company has been importing Croatian wine, and wine from neighbouring countries, into Holland for many years. I liked Croatian wines so much I now spend part of the year in Croatia. I would like to congratulate Vina Carić, and I look forward to even more good Croatian wines beng available in Holland."
May 13, 2016
