5 Best Buy Reds Under 10 EUR (and 1 Sparkling Rosé)
If you’re looking for great wines that offer excellent value, check out the top-rated Croatian red wines worth buying, including a sparkling rosé option!
Many people are aware that enjoying a glass or two of red wine can provide various health benefits, as well as some psychological benefits. 🙂
We’ve meticulously curated a selection of five red wines, plus sparkling rosé wine that provide excellent value for money. These wines are in such demand that they are frequently bought by the case rather than just one bottle.
And despite being red, they make for ideal wines to enjoy on a beautiful summer day.
1. Vina Laguna Terra Rossa
Vina Laguna Terra Rossa, is a distinguished red wine from the enchanting Istrian Peninsula. This creation draws upon the red soil found in the region, carefully selected to complement the unique characteristics of each grape variety.
Iron-rich red soil (Terra Rossa) of Istria nurtures many fine Croatian wines.
The essence of Terra Rossa lies in its extraordinary blend of grape varieties:
Teran brings a vibrant freshness and an unmistakable local identity, while Borgonja adds a captivating touch of minerality and delicate floral notes.
Merlot, renowned for its fruitiness and velvety texture, contributes an additional layer of complexity.
The result is a captivating wine with a deep ruby-red hue, imbued with the flavors of succulent blueberries and luscious blackberries.
Delicate floral aromas dance enticingly while the palate is greeted by abundant fruitiness.
The wine’s supple and smooth character is perfectly balanced by a refreshing crispness, lending it delightful longevity.
The subtle tannins elegantly wrap around the senses, creating a delightful and lasting impression.
2. Kiridžija Plavac Mali
Meet Vedran Kiridžija, a revered figure in the Croatian winemaking industry.
Despite his remarkable talent, Vedran remains relatively unknown to the wider market, primarily because of the limited quantities of wine he produces.
Within the walls of his 300-year-old home, Vedran passionately crafts small batches of two distinct wines: Plavac Mali and Plavac Mali from Dingač appellation.
Both wines are derived from the same grape variety, Plavac Mali, yet they originate from vastly different peninsula regions.
In the realm of Croatian wines, Dingač holds a revered status akin to that of a “grand cru,” denoting the highest quality vineyard.
On the other hand, Plavac serves as the foundation, forming the base wine from which these exceptional creations are born.
Kiridžija Plavac Mali, is characterized by its higher alcohol content and offers an exquisite sensory experience.
Plavac Mali is famous and infamous to some because of its naturally high tannin content. But with all its antioxidant, antiradical, antimicrobial, and antimutagenic properties of tannins, this red is highly recommended.
Its bouquet entices the senses with a delightful blend of mint, berry, and tobacco aromas.
The wine has a buttery finish that gracefully balances the sharp, dry notes, leaving a clean and lingering aftertaste.
3. Enosophia Rubi Fusion
The third part of the puzzle lies in the Slavonia region, namely Feričanci wine-growing sub-region.
Enosophia Winery offers exceptional value for money when it comes to wines.
Enosophia Rubi Fusion red blend showcases a delightful combination of fruitiness and a fuller-bodied profile, complemented by a pleasant influence of wood aging that imparts sweet spices and vanilla flavors.
The taste is undeniably seductive, with a gentle structure that harmoniously blends the following varietals:
This wine is a perfect match for cold appetizers featuring dried meat and mature cow’s and goat’s cheeses.
It also pairs exquisitely with meat specialties crafted from the game, lamb, and beef while being equally suited for enhancing the flavors of spicier traditional Slavonian cuisine.
Additionally, it harmonizes well with river fish delicacies, offering a versatile choice for various culinary preferences.
This Croatian red wine was awarded a bronze medal in this year’s Decanter competition to validate its excellence further.
This accolade is a testament to its exceptional quality and reinforces its status as an excellent recommendation.
4. Testament The Dalmatian Dog Babić
Testament Winery resides in the enchanting wine-growing region of Northern Dalmatia, nestled close to the medieval town of Šibenik.
Here, amidst a distinctive climate and the idiosyncrasies of the soil, the grapes of Šibenik have long grappled to flourish and prosper.
This ancient “survival ritual” permeates the essence of Testament wines, evident in their profound and vibrant hues and captivating flavors and aromas.
The uniqueness of Testament wines emanates from the extraordinary Pošip and Babić grape varieties.
These indigenous grapes thrive solely in this portion of the Dalmatian coast, where the esteemed Testament vineyards proudly reside.
Imbued with the benefits of an organic production process, these wines are blessed with the region’s exceptional microclimate and soil, culminating in a remarkably rich and intricate taste.
Among these splendid offerings stands the Dalmatian Dog, a wine that exemplifies its “younger brother,” Babić.
The Dalmatian Dog Babić is a fruity, medium-bodied wine with lively acidity and sturdy structure.
Its deep ruby color entices, while the aromas of ripe red cherry and indigenous Dalmatian herbs captivate the senses.
Crafted exclusively in stainless steel, the Dalmatian Dog Babić embodies the spirit of its terroir, exuding vibrancy and an exuberant zest for life.
The accomplished enologist, Juraj Sladić, has triumphed in creating an impressive best-buy Babić wine without the need for aging in wood.
5. Medea Teran
Medea Winery, established in 1956 through the merger of farmers cooperatives in the villages of Rovinj, Pula, and Barban, has a rich history rooted in the heart of Istria.
Noteworthy for its characteristic freshness, the Teran grape lends a vivacious quality to the wine, while a subtle nuance of astringency mingles harmoniously with its extractability.
These remarkable attributes blend together to create a wine embodying Istria’s spirit, delighting the palate with its harmonious fusion of flavors such as black currant, blueberry, raspberry, and black pepper.
Of course, in our opinion, local character is usually more pronounced with local variety.
Dark red in color with blood-like purple edges, typical color of Teran. This amazing best-buy red from Istria is very fruity, cheerful, and refreshing.
A freshness is genuine for Teran pairs perfectly with pasta and many meat dishes, including cured meat and definitely some hard cheese 😉
6. Enosophia Today Rosé Sparkling Wine
One additional recommendation is not only for summer days or days of celebration. To bring some spark and light, almost nothing compares to affordable sparkling rosé.
Of course, it must be of good quality regardless of the technique and price. Enter Enosophia’s exquisite fruity and dry sparkling wine, offering a delightful burst of freshness and a persistent effervescence that dances on the palate.
The pronounced and invigorating freshness creates a seamless transition into the elegant taste of ripe citrus fruits.
Enosophia Winery from the Feričanci wine-growing sub-region believes strongly in their Blaufränkisch grape, and by using the Charmat method, they achieved this beauty with – Enosophia Today Rosé Sparkling Wine.
Beyond all the refreshing qualities of strawberries, tropical fruit, and apple, there is depth and perfect balance, so one might easily mistake this for Methode Champenoise.
With its refreshing profile, pronounced freshness, and light-bodied drinkability, this sparkling wine is a superb choice for an elegant aperitif.
It also pairs seamlessly with tuna carpaccio, salmon, seafood, an array of cold cuts, and soft cheeses.
It also is an excellent companion to selected desserts, including Panna cotta and tart.
Enosophia’s sparkling wine embodies the epitome of craftsmanship, showcasing the winery’s dedication to excellence in every bottle.
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