History Croatian wine

wine press in roman art 1st century ad

like rest of central europe , southern europe, viticulture in present-day croatia existed hundreds of years before rise of roman empire. recent research has shown illyrians living in dalmatia during bronze age , iron age may have grown grapevines. however, true beginning of grape cultivation , wine production in croatia related ancient greeks settlers, arrived on croatian coast in 5th century bc. greek writer athenaeus wrote 18 centuries ago high quality wine produced on dalmatian islands of vis, hvar , korčula. coins period have motifs related grape cultivation , wine, demonstrating importance of wine in economics of ancient greek colonies.

under roman empire, wine production grew, becoming more organized. wine exported other parts of empire. artifacts time include stone presses squeezing grapes , amphoras sunken roman galleys. decorations on numerous religious , household items bear witness wine-making culture.

as croatians arrived , settled area, learned predecessors, , wine production continued expand. during middle ages, there royal court official called royal wine procurer , responsibilities included production , procurement of wine. free towns adopted legal standards on winegrowing , protected accordingly. example, statute of town , island of korčula in 1214 contains strict rules protecting vineyards.

priests , monks continued wine production

in 15th century, ottoman turks arrived in south eastern europe, , imposed strict anti-alcohol laws part of new islamic law. fortunately, ottoman empire tolerant of christianity. catholic church traditions involving wine may have “saved” local wine production complete extinction—as priests , monks permitted continue making wine church services.

in 18th century, of present-day croatia came under control of habsburg empire, wine production flourished through 19th , 20th centuries. history of wine changed dramatically in 1874, when phylloxera, hazardous grapevine pest, started appear in europe. wine production dropped, first in france , germany, growers struggled blight. time, croatian vineyards remained unaffected, , wine exports increased fill demand. french companies planted vines in croatia view expanding operations in safe area. however, turn of 20th century, croatian vines had succumbed phylloxera, leading destruction of vineyards , collapse of local economy in many areas. large numbers of wine growing families moved new world, contributing growth of wine production there.

under communist system of yugoslavia, wine production centered in large cooperatives, , private ownership of vineyards discouraged. quantity rather quality became main focus. croatian war of independence in 1990s saw many vineyards , wineries once again destroyed. however, move small, independent producers, croatian wines once again competing best in world wine market.