Published by Jeremy.
Disclaimers: This review uses WSET Diploma terminology and our own rating scale. Read more here. We use demographic data, email opt-ins, display advertising, and affiliate links to operate this site. Please review our Terms and Conditions for more information. This website is intended for those of legal drinking age in your jurisdiction.
We love finding field blends from countries we do not get wine from all too often, because the odds are good that we'll find a wealth of new-to-us grapes to try.
Zlatan Otok's Bilo Idro Marina Cuvee Bijali was one such bottle that was a field blend often containing bogdanusa, posip, prc, trebbiano, and malvasia bianca lunga to name a few.
For those who like fruity and mineral-driven white wines, this one should be on your radar!
Croatian Field Blend Full of Mineral Notes
This Croatian field blend was pale lemon in color with medium(+) aromas of pear, yellow apple, wet stone, saline, beeswax, toast, butter, grapefruit, honey, pineapple, lemon, nectarine, and white blossom.
On the palate, it was dry with medium acidity, alcohol, body, and finish, and a medium(+) flavor intensity. We had slightly simpler flavor notes than the aromas with lemon, lime, pear, yellow apple, grapefruit, wet stone, saline, beeswax, and toast being present.
Although we do wish that the flavors on this one were a bit more complex like the aroma, we appreciated the fruit and mineral notes in the wine all the same!
Croatian Field Blend Food Pairing – Soba Noodles
We paired this mineral-driven white wine with Japanese Soba noodles as we thought the mineral and waxy notes would pair well with the flavorful noodle dish. We had a spike in pineapple flavors which was quite pleasant, and the strong mineral notes were lessened with the pairing as well.
Score 3 / 5
We'd buy a glass of this one.
Overall, we quite enjoyed this wine, particularly for the mineral-forward nature of the wine. Although we thought the aromas were a bit more complex than the palate, we definitely would consider a glass of this one at any time, especially with a great food pairing that matches the great flavor.
Zlatan Otok is located at Put Stjepana Radića 3, Sveta Nedjelja in Croatia. We purchased this bottle locally and enjoyed it in 2025.
Upgrade Your Home Wine Bar
Need to upgrade your wine bar? Grab some new wine accessories:
