THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE CHEESE AND WINE
Our local cheese and wine reflect the richness of local nature as well as the skill of local wineries and cheese producers. That is probably the reason why one of our favourite local wines is Bogdanuša, a variety that is indigenous to the island of Hvar. This white wine has a green-yellow colour and fresh taste with a bit of lavender noticeable in the aroma. It is a wine perfect for sipping while enjoying fish or meat next to the sea.
Plavac Mali is another local favourite and a must try wine. The name is a reference to small blue grapes that the wine is made from. Plavac Mali is an elegant red wine that brings flavours of black cherry, blackberry and orange peel to the palate. Our favourite pairing is with a medium rare steak.
Some of our local wines, like Crljenak Kaštelanski, became famous worldwide. A few years ago, experts have concluded that Crljenak Kaštelanski, an indigenous Croatian sort, is the ancestor of the world famous American Zinfandel!
The story goes back all the way to the 15th century, where written records have been found that tell the story of winemaking with this red grape variety on the islands of Vis and Hvar. The variety was of such quality that it was taken to Italy in the 18th century where it became known under the name Primitivo.
Crljenak Kaštelanski is well known for its deep red colour, gentle aromas of berries and spices making it a perfect companion to a medium rare steak or some local sheep cheese.
Local sheep cheese because is the best local cheese. What makes this cheese special is island climate and vegetation. The sheep eat grass that contains salt from the sea, providing the island sheep milk a distinct taste different than your regular sheep milk. This flavour twist is later reflected in the cheese. Local producers are proud of their semi-hard sheep cheese, because it brings together a distinct flavour of sheep milk with the influence of the Adriatic Sea salt into a complex tasting cheese with a pleasant aftertaste.