ZAGREB, 17 Sept (Hina) - Croatian winemakers say this year’s harvest could produce exceptional wines after a return to normal weather conditions, contrasting with last year’s extremes that led to the earliest harvest on record.

Slavonian vintner Vlado Krauthaker said grape yields were strong and sugar and acidity levels balanced, with lower alcohol content of 12–13%. “This year we have a standard harvest under normal conditions,” he said, noting shortages of local labour had been offset by workers from Nepal and India.

Kristijan Polovanec, head of the Bregovita Hrvatska association, said rainfall and disease pressures were lower than last year. “The must values are excellent, and this year could be remembered for very good wines,” he said, though stressing that cellar work would be crucial.

Badel’s chief oenologist Dubravko Ćuk described the season as comparable to 2020 and 2021. “Yields are very good, and the wines could be top quality,” he said, adding that the company mostly relies on local pickers, with Nepali workers also contributing.

In Istria, winemaker Ivica Matošević said heavy rains complicated the harvest but yields were higher than last year. “The quality is good, though it could have been even better without so much rain,” he added.