Zagorje – Međimurje

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The highest parts of Hrvatsko zagorje, at elevations of 500 to 1,000 m above sea level, are ridges whose basement or surface consists of Mesozoic carbonates or Palaeozoic metamorphic and igneous rocks.
• The greater part of Hrvatsko zagorje is built from Tertiary sediments such as conglomerates, sandstones, and marls, deposited mainly in a lacustrine environment and extensively dissected by watercourses.
• The weathering of Palaeozoic crystalline rocks, Mesozoic argillaceous limestones, and various clastic deposits gave rise to diverse clays and fine-grained sands, which favoured the development of arable soils on the so-called 'gorice' (hillside vineyard ridges).
• The Međimurje area is predominantly lowland, dominated by younger Neogene clay–sandy sediments, with vines cultivated at elevations of 240 to 330 m above sea level.
• The climate of this area is classified as humid, moderately continental, with moderately warm summers and fairly rainy, cold winters, a mean annual temperature of approximately 11.1 °C, and annual precipitation of approximately 890 mm, of which more than 55% falls during the growing season.

• Viticulture in this area dates back to Roman times, when the Romans introduced the vine and established vineyards on mountain slopes during the rule of the Roman Empire.
• In the 13th and 14th centuries, viticulture and winemaking stagnated as a result of the Turkish invasions, during which vineyards were cut down and destroyed, with recovery beginning only after their withdrawal.

• White wines from this area are crystal clear, ranging in colour from yellow-green to yellow, medium in alcohol, with moderate to high acidity, good extract, and discreet to pronounced fruity, floral, and spicy aromas.
• Red wines from Pinot noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Frankovka are clear, with varying intensities of ruby-red colour, medium alcohol, moderate to high acidity, moderate tannin ripeness, and pronounced fruity aromas.

• The collision of continental and Alpine climates produces greater diurnal temperature variation, which is conducive to the production of fresh, approachable wines with good acidity and expressive primary fruity and floral aromas.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in Croatia

Sources

• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-HR-A1662
• Official trade body site — Društvo vinogradara i vinara Međimurja “Hortus Croatiae” Štrigova