📍 Central and Southern Dalmatia

Central and Southern Dalmatia is a wine zone in southern Croatia, on the Adriatic coast and islands: the Pelješac peninsula, the islands of Hvar and Korčula, and the surroundings of Dubrovnik. It is a hot, dry and sunny land where vineyards often grow on stony slopes above the sea.

The main red grape is Plavac Mali. It was born from a cross between Crljenak Kaštelanski (that is, Zinfandel or Primitivo) and the local Dobričić, and gives dark, tannic, full-bodied wines of high strength. The best known are Dingač and Ponikve on the Pelješac peninsula. In 1961 Dingač became Croatia's first protected appellation.

Among whites, Pošip, the best-known white of Korčula, and Grk from the village of Lumbarda stand out. They make mineral whites with citrus and herbal notes.

Central and Southern Dalmatia are part of Dalmatia and of Croatian winemaking. If Istria is known for white Malvasia, Dalmatia is known for red Plavac and island cooking. Plavac Mali goes well with roast meat and cheese, and Pošip with fish and seafood. The name Central and Southern Dalmatia on a label shows that the grapes grew in this very area, which makes it easy to look for similar wines.