Croatia ready for UK wine push

Vina Croatia is hoping to build on Croatia’s recent inclusion in the European Union and develop its sales within the UK.

The fourth London-based tasting will take place at The Westbury Hotel in October, showcasing more than 150 wines from the country. Vina Croatia is a collective comprising over 30 of Croatia’s wine producers and the wines at the tasting will come from the key regions of Istria, Slavonia and Danube, Croatian Uplands and Dalmatia, and will include both indigenous and international varietals.

Marketing manager, Elvira Belović, said: “2013 is an important year for Croatian wine; our EU membership marks the start of a real commitment to the UK – our key export market – and we are looking to develop our sales here by investing in a sustained generic presence beyond the tasting.”

Croatia has seen as slow but steady growth in the UK since the first tasting in 2010 and now boasts listings with several agents and major retailers. And after joining the EU in July, there is a renewed focus on exports as relaxed trading conditions give winemakers greater access to key markets, including the UK.