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Remembering 2024! We were judging bag-in-box wines and the first was from Ilok, followed by two Dalmatian ones

Published: 21.04.2024

Ivo Kozarčanin
Ivo Kozarčanin
Bakhov Sin

Iločki Podrumi’s Graševina 2020, Dalmacijavino’s Debit 2021, and Badel 1862’s Benkovac Red Cuvée took the top three spots at the bag-in-box wine tasting held at the Zagreb, earning gold awards. Silver awards went to Dobra Berba’s Bijelo 2021 (a blend of Graševina and Riesling), Gospoja Winery’s Žlahtina 2021 and Dalmacijavino’s Merlot 2018, while bronze awards were given to Đakovačka Vina’s Graševina 2021, Badel’s Graševina Vezak 2020, and Vupik’s Graševina Terra Vinea 2020. We also specifically selected the best wines for gemišt.

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The wines were evaluated by Franjo Francem, Frane Ševo, Željko Suhadolnik, Dijana Grgić, and Tomo Jakopović.

Wines from all four Croatian wine-growing regions were submitted for evaluation. All of them are in quality wine category based on organoleptic assessment criteria at the Croatian Agency for Agriculture and Food’s Centre for Viticulture, Enology and Olive Growing. Three of the gold-medal wines would actually qualify for the premium wine category. 

 

Practical packaging

Bag-in-box packaging is exceptionally practical because the tap prevents oxygen from entering the inner bag, allowing the wine to retain its original organoleptic characteristics for weeks after opening. This makes it an ideal choice for hospitality venues wishing to serve wine by the glass. Furthermore, the low price point eliminates concerns about sales volume, as the wine remains affordable for the customer.

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Some of the samples from the evaluation

The packaging is convenient for households and especially for trips. It maintains the temperature for a relatively long time, and any leftovers can be stored at home for a while. With day-trippers and other gemišt enthusiasts in mind, after evaluating the still wines, we specifically selected those with pronounced freshness that are suitable for mixing with sparkling mineral water.

Debit was best for gemišt

Thanks to precise pouring into the glasses, every judge received an equal ratio of wine to water, and the selection of the best was unanimous: Dalmacijavino’s Debit took first place, Gospoja’s Žlahtina second, and Dobra Berba’s Bijelo third.