Grand Tasting 2018: Croatian Winemakers Coming to New York City

It’s been a long three years, but good news has finally arrived: The 2018 Vina Croatia Grand Tasting is coming again to New York City!

This trade and media only tasting is scheduled for Monday, March 26, 2018 from 11:00 AM till 4:30 PM at Astor Center.

Guests will have the unique opportunity to sample over 100 wines from dozens of Croatian estates and award-winning wineries. Over twenty winemakers and/or winery representative will be on hand to speak with guests and answer questions, including Agrolaguna; Badel; Degrassi; Skaramuča; Erdutski Vinogradi; Fakin; Iločki Podrumi; Jako Vino (Stina); Kabola; Katunar; Korta Katarina; Kozlović; Matošević; Miloš; JasnaAntunović Turk; Osilovac; Rizman; Veralda; Bibich; Buhač; Cattunar; and Zlatan Otok.

This is the forth Grand Tasting of the wines of Croatia in the United States. The previous three were in 2011, 2013, and 2015.

The 2018 program includes two masterclasses, which are RSVP only and expected to sell out quickly. The first is masterclass, Cracking Croatian Wine, will be hosted by authors and vinous travelers, Dr. Matthew Horkey and Charine Tan. The second masterclass, Croatian Hall of Fame Wines, will feature a selection of Decanter World Wine Awards and other award-winning wines and will be lead by Wines of Croatia founder, sommelier, and wine writer, Cliff Rames.

Registration for the walk-around tasting and masterclasses is complimentary and exclusive to members of the wine trade and press. To register and submit your RSVP, please follow this link or email: events@fmg.nyc

We look forward to seeing everyone in NYC!

New York sommelier promotes Croatian wine

(Translated from the original post, published 11.03.2016 by Peter Panjkota, RTL Televizija Croatia)

For the past ten years, Cliff Rames, a native New Yorker whose father is from Murter island, has been on a mission to popularize Croatian wines in America. Many top sommeliers have listened, and Croatian wines are now offered in many bars, including one in the heart of Manhattan.

“Sometimes bar owners or sommeliers have not heard of Croatian wine or do not want to take the risk to buy a wine they think nobody knows,” said Cliff. “That is why it is hard work and you have to personally hand-sell these wines. But once they taste them, they usually say, ‘this is interesting…this is great…we should do this’”.

And they do. Like here at Anfora wine bar, where Plavina from vineyards around Šibenik is offered among proven favorites from France and Italy.

“These wines are special in their own unique way,” said Cliff. “I think that people who understand wine will want to taste the uniqueness of the wines of Pelješac, Hvar, Slavonia or Plešivica and be willing to pay a few dollars more for the experience—the experience of tasting a unique, indigenous variety that grows no where else except on a single island or field in Croatia.”

And has this experience been shared by any American celebrities?

“I once served wine to Jennifer Lopez,” laughed Cliff. “Unfortunately it was not from Croatia. It was from France. There is still time. So, Jennifer, if you’re watching….”

Conversations over wine often turn to politics, so a question for Cliff: What about this crazy campaign for the US presidency?

“Before i answer that, I need a drink!” laughed Cliff. “This is one of the craziest elections. What will stay with me—I hate to say it—is fear. Fear that this has opened a Pandora’s box of craziness, intolerance, hatred and just terrible politics for the future. So much negativity. So much attacking. It’s going to influence elections in the future and it makes me afraid, it makes me unhappy,” revealed Cliff.

Regardless of whether Hillary or Trump prevails, we hope that Croatian wine will be ever more frequently consumed.

For the original text and video, please click HERE.

Vina Croatia 2015: Croatian Winemakers Storm Manhattan

A Short Report & Photos from the 2015 Vina Croatia Grand Tasting in NYC (Photos © 2015 Cliff Rames)

Braving frigid winter temperatures and blustery Hudson River winds, representatives from twenty-four Croatian wineries and over 500 guests turned out on February 24, 2015 for the third Vina Croatia – Vina Mosaica Grand Tasting at Astor Center in New York City.

Save the Date! Croatian Wine Grand Tasting Coming to NYC

We are pleased to announce the Vina Croatia Grand Tasting 2015 of the wines of Croatia, which will be held on February 24, 2015 at Astor Center in New York City. This is a TRADE ONLY event.

This will be the third Grand Tasting of the Wines of Croatia in NYC since 2011 (the first was held on June 7, 2011 at Hudson Terrace, and the second occurred on February 26, 2013 at Astor Center).

Sneak Peek: Dalmatian Winemaker Alen Bibić Visits NYC

Mr. Bibić kicked off his first day in New York City today with an epic tasting of seven debit wines, in styles ranging from sparkling to sweet and everything in between. A full report will come tomorrow. In the meantime here is a sneak peek snapshot of the man in action, and a link to the post that always sums up any wine tasting experience with Mr. Bibić: “Holy S*** That’s Good!” 🙂 

Alen Bibic (Photo by Cliff Rames)