On the day that Team Croatia won their first Olympic Medals (3 August 2012), a wine tasting event of award winning Croatian wines was being held at Croatia House, The Pelham Hotel London. Hosted by the Croatian Chamber of Economy under their ‘Vina Croatia’ brand, guests had the opportunity to taste wines imported into the UK from the four main production regions of Croatia: Istria, Dalmatia, Slavonia and Danube, and Croatian Uplands.

Three importers Croatian Fine Wines Limited, Vino Nostro Limited and The Vin Bin presented a superb selection of over 40 Croatian wines for the guests to taste during the three afternoon tasting sessions.

Oz Clarke, wine broadcaster and author, joined the tasting in the afternoon and was delighted to celebrate and congratulate the Croatian rowing team that he had watched winning a silver medal earlier in the day. Oz fully appreciated the achievement of the Croatian rowers as he had rowed when at Oxford University and still has his oars on his study wall.

His Excellency, Dr Ivica Tomić, the Croatian Ambassador also attended the event and celebrations with the Croatian rowing team after watching them win silver medal.

James Waddell of Croatian Fine Wines Limited who had organised the event commented “This is what Croatian wine is all about; tasting the quality, the purity and the place of wines from across the country with light refreshments beautifully prepared by a Croatian chef. It is great to see such a good number of guests and industry professional enjoying and being impressed by Croatian wines.”

Sunčanica Skupnjak-Kapić, Managing Director of International Relations at the Croatian Chamber of Economy remarked “We are delighted to host this event as it is another opportunity for us to help increase awareness of Croatian wines in the UK and to support the Croatian wine importers.”

Paul Jenc, Deputy Head Croatia House at the Olympic Games London 2012 was pleased to say “The celebration of Olympic success and Croatian wine is a perfect combination. Everyone is happy at the silver medal success of the Croatian Olympic rowing team and enjoying tasting the wines from across Croatia”.

Wines from the following Croatian producers were presented:

Istria: Franc Arman, Pilato, Kabola, Zlatna Vrbnicka (near Istria)

Dalmatia: Bura, Blato, Gracin Babić, Korta Katarina, Stina, Tomić, Vinarija Blato, Zlatan Otok

Slavonia and Danube: Adžić, Mihalj, Enjingi, Zdjelarevic

Croatian Uplands: Bodren, Borfan, Chateau Vrbanc, Korak

Further Information:

James B Waddell, Managing Director
Croatian Fine Wines Limited, 34 Whitegates, Mayals, Swansea SA3 5HW
www.croatianfinewines.com sales@croatianfinewines.com Tel: +44 (0)7711 3399 13

Sunčanica Skupnjak-Kapić, Managing Director, International Relations Department
Croatian Chamber of Economy, Rooseveltov trg 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
www.hgk.hr sskupnjak@hgk.hr Tel: 00385 (0)1 4828 382

Oz Clarke congratulating David Martin one of the Croatian Olympic Rowing Team for winning silver medal

Deputy Oz Clarke with Croatian wine importers and Olympic Rowing Silver Team Medallist David Martin