Graševina 2016, Slavonija, Croatia

Croatia has a long and noble history of winemaking going back to the ancient Greeks. It has its own local grapes and some great sites for growing grapes. We don’t see many of their wines in Ireland, with the exception of Vina Laguna (independents), Golden Valley (Marks & Spencer) and a few others. Now, from next Monday July 10th, Lidl is offering two inexpensive Croatian wines. The white Graševina is light and dry, with plump honeyed fruit. Good value at €8.99 a bottle while stocks last.

Plavac 2014, Central & South Dalmatia, Croatia

Plavac, or Plavac Mali, to give it its full name, is the most widely grown black grape in Croatia. It is usually found along the Dalmatian coast, and in Dingac, the premium red wine region of Croatia. Plavac means small blue grape. Wine anoraks might be interested to know that it is a cross between Crljenak Kaštelanski (the father of Zinfandel) and Dobricic. The wine is soft and supple with sweet plum fruits; very gluggable with white meats. €8.99 a bottle from Monday, 10th July.