Big potential for Istrian wines in northern European markets

by croatiaweek
February 7, 2022
in Food & Wine

Big potential for Istrian wines in northern Europe markets

(Photo credit: Neven Jurjak)

Istrian wines will be presented on 11 pages in a special edition of the Dutch and Belgian wine magazine Perswijn.

Exceptional top quality wines and a great organised tasting, and Teran is one of the biggest positive surprises, said Ronald de Groot, editor-in-chief of Perswijn after an exclusive two-day workshop organised by Vinistra and the Istria County Tourist Board.

The most widely read Dutch and Belgian wine magazine has a circulation of 12,500 thousand copies, the portal has more than 175 thousand unique visitors, and in a special article titled Alto Adriatico, a report on Istrian wines on as many as 11 pages will be published.

(Photo credit: Neven Jurjak)

Journalist Paul Balke, a well-known wine critic and author of the book North Adriatic, was with the editor-in-chief at the tasting. His first encounter with Istrian wines happened 14 years ago when he started visiting Vinistra.

(Photo credit: Neven Jurjak)

An exceptional leap in quality

“Since my first encounter with Istrian wines, I have noticed a big shift, wineries are investing heavily in quality and today Istria has truly exceptional wines. The two-day tasting offered very interesting surprises. Malvasia and Teran as autochthonous varieties are very interesting to the market, and I noticed that several varieties thrive in Istria, so great potential lies in this segment.

Definitely this peninsula is one of the most important parts of the northern Adriatic, which wine professionals must follow very carefully. I enjoy not only wine, but also the silence, the beauty of the landscape, and it is always good to eat there,” Balke said.

(Photo credit: Neven Jurjak)

Istria has accepted the challenge

The duo from Perswijn were joined by sommelier Jasenko Selimović, who lives in Sweden and is currently preparing a book in that language about the wines of Southeast Europe. Among them, Istrian wines will get a special chapter.

(Photo credit: Neven Jurjak)

“In Sweden, as in all other Western European countries, the habits of wine lovers have changed. They are less involved in international varieties, and there is an interest in original, autochthonous, unusual wines, so in that sense, Malvasia and Teran have a great chance.

Istria is one of the best wine regions in this part of Europe, it has made the biggest qualitative leap, accepted the challenge, responded to world trends, is open to new ideas and technologies, which stems from its openness to other cultures,” Selimović said.

(Photo credit: Neven Jurjak)

72 wines from 24 wineries presented

Vinistra presented itself with 72 top wines from 24 wineries. Wines from Benvenuti, Tomaz, Fakin, Ipša, Monte Rosso, Degrassi, Sosich Wines, Arman Marijan, Pilato, Radovan, Ivančić, Cuj, Coronica, In Sylvis Wines, Domaine Koquelicot, Marčeta, Meneghetti, Vina Laguna, Damjanić, Franković, Kabola, Cattunar, Kozlović and Matošević were tasted.

(Photo credit: Neven Jurjak)

“I am happy with the positive reactions of our guests, especially when it comes to indigenous varieties of Malvasia and Teran. These types of interactive workshops have proven to be extremely important for the promotion of Istrian wines in foreign markets such as northern Europe, which is relatively new and we are just opening, although some of our winemakers are already present there.

In addition, the eno-gastronomic offer is one of the key motives for coming to the destination, so the promotion of Istrian wines is an important part of our tourist story,” said Nikola Benvenuti, President of Vinistra.