Samobor’s bermet wants to be discovered across Croatia and beyond

Samobor bermet is stepping out from its traditional home in Samobor, Plešivica and Zagreb. The aromatized wine has European Union protected geographical indication status, yet remains little known elsewhere in Croatia. Samobor now wants to change that, and September will become the month of bermet.

The campaign will center on two events. The first Samobor Bermet Days will take place at Brenta, a newly renovated space for local winemakers and grape growers. The program will also feature Bermet Run, a race held in three rounds along historic Samobor routes. Each round will finish at one of three wineries known for bermet: Pavlin, Philipecz and Župančić.

“Igor Paulić said organizers want to use an attractive and entertaining program to spark interest in Samobor bermet, a historic drink that deserves much more attention. He said the events will also include education and will introduce the drink to younger people, including through cocktails.”

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Our wish is to spark interest in Samobor bermet, a historic drink that, in our opinion, deserves much more attention.

Samobor Mayor Petra Škrobot is backing the event, along with local brands including Igomat, producer of Samoborska češnofka, and Nikl bakery, associated with rudarska greblica. The third race will pass near St Anne’s Chapel, known for a memorable scene in the Croatian film “One Song a Day Takes Mischief Away.”

Antun Filipec of Philipecz Winery described bermet as a specially aromatized wine made from wine and plant-based flavorings. Local varieties frankovka and portugizac are combined with carob, figs, orange peel and wormwood, which gives the drink its distinctive bitter aroma. The article says bermet emerged in the mid-19th century as a stomach remedy prepared only by pharmacists.

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Bermet is, according to the classification in the Croatian Wine Act, a specially aromatized wine.