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If you are reading this we are sure you have a lot of questions regarding Croatian wine center. Questions like… Will I ever have the privilege to taste perfectly aged Croatian wine in a cellar built in 1232 AD? At the same stone table where Holy Roman Empress and Queen of Germany and Austria, Maria Theresa was sitting?
Highly unlikely. Because there is only one place on this planet where you can do just that. The place where the mighty queen had a late-night confidential talks. Discussions about the future of the empire and the world.
One of the smallest, oldest and most famous Croatian towns, named as one of the Top 3 wine locations in the world. There’s Californian Napa Valley, French Burgundy, and Croatian wine Golden Valley. And the town of Kutjevo is in the center of the Croatian wine industry.
These three micro-locations produce the best quality grapes in the entire world. And the best wines, as you probably already know.
The world-renowned vinery, that carries the same name as the town, is making sure that every visitor gets a taste some of the best wines in the world. At that same table, where kings and queens were plotting their games while enjoying those same Croatian wines.
Yes, there is a special section of the cellar, behind the age-old oak door, with hundreds of bottles of archive wines. Left there to age, some specimens are over a hundred years old.
The tour lasts for about two hours and culminates with the tasting of the 4 most famous Croatian wines. One is always the unforgettable ice wine made exclusively from selected frozen grapes.
To produce that special wine, they leave grapes on the vine during the winter. Harvest occurs in January or February the next year and after at least two days and nights with temperatures below -10°C.
The result is an unlikely, sweet and refreshing wine like no other you have ever tasted.
Now, add the fact that you are sipping it in the underground cellar built almost 800 years ago by a group of monks. Imagine how deep of an impression this entire experience leaves on a person.
And that’s just a small part of the rich and fertile caldera of the mighty, ancient mega volcano. After all, you can’t just drink wines all day long. You could, but…
How about some trekking or hiking with…
There is a location on the north edge of the Golden Valley, on the foothill of Papuk mountain, where Earth is reminding us how powerful and might it truly is. The hot water, heated by the molten lava is emerging from the deep core, reaching the surface.
In some places, it’s enough to drill just a shallow hole and you have your own steam bath. For decades, people were congregating in Velika to enjoy the benefits of the hot bath under the clear blue sky. It’s a small town just 15 kilometers north from Požega, the county’s administrative center.
It is a welcomed retreat after a day of hiking to ancient fortress overseeing the entire valley.
The heat coming from down below keeps the ground warm even during the coldest winter days. Volcanic soil that turned into humus over the millennia. A natural shield of five distinct hills, the remnants of the ancient volcanic summit that now surrounds the valley. That’s the recipe for a uniquely fertile environment.
When they first came here, Romans immediately named it ‘Vallis Aurea’ or the Golden Valley.
Because in this part of Croatia, people are best known for dried, smoked delicacies and strong, spicy stews cooked outside, on the fire. In other words, if you are a bit tired of seafood, beaches, olives and olive oil, pasta, and all that sea salt and “healthy food,” maybe you should start your dinner with something else.
The whole variety of spicy sausages, fresh cow cheese and cream, irresistible and unforgettable Slavonian Kulen, smoked bacon and ham. All kick-started with the inevitable “Šljivovica.” A strong, aromatic liquor made from distilled plumbs, traditional in this part of the world.
Then, after the calming effect of Šljivovica and those powerful appetizers, just let yourself go and enjoy. Enjoy in a sequence of dishes coming one after another while the relaxing sounds of traditional instruments are playing in the background.
That’s how they spend their evenings and nights over there and you are more than welcome to join.
Your destination: Požega’s Golden Valley. They are expecting you.
Your CTC Team, I.K.
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