Istrian wine scene impresses yet again

by croatiaweek
May 7, 2023
in Food & Wine

(Photo credit: Merlo de Graia)

More than 80 winemakers, visitors from around the world, excellent workshops, the finest delicacies, and a great atmosphere marked the second day of the 29th Vinistra.

Poreč, May 6th, 2023 – When champion wines from Kadum, Dobravac, Fakin, Benvenuti, and other Istrian wine veterans, as well as relatively new names in the Istrian wine scene, are presented in one place, such an event cannot be missed.

Therefore, this weekend, all roads lead to Poreč for Vinistra, which this year gathered 80 Istrian winemakers in the Žatika hall.

(Photo credit: Merlo de Graia)

The atmosphere is great, so wine lovers, including foreign guests, do not mind that the 29th edition of the oldest and most respected wine exhibition is held on two-thirds of the sports hall surface. Part of it is fenced off due to accelerated preparations for the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, which is also held in Poreč from May 11th to 14th, and this most prestigious world wine competition has its exhibition space at Vinistra. There is quite a crowd because there is no wine lover who does not want to taste some of the hundred or so best-rated wines in the world.

(Photo credit: Merlo de Graia)

Award-winning Malvasias alongside award-winning world wines

“As the organizer of the fair in Belgium, I know how much effort and work is behind such an event, but to see so many people and well-known Istrian wineries in one place is truly impressive. I had the opportunity to taste Malvasia and Teran for the first time a few years ago, I am well educated about these varieties, I participated in Vinistra’s assessment last year, and I have to admit that I am in love with Malvasia and its wide range of styles, and I really like Poreč and Istria,” said Thomas Costenoble, Director of Concours Modnial de Bruxelles.

(Photo credit: Merlo de Graia)

There is also a crowd in the neighboring exhibition space of the World of Malvasia, where award-winning wines from around the world that arrived at this year’s Vinistra assessment, which can freely be called a world competition of this variety, can be tasted.

(Photo credit: Merlo de Graia)

“Given the exceptionally dry period last year, fresh Malvasias from the 2022 harvest will have a shorter lifespan, those aged from 2020 and 2021 are in excellent condition, as confirmed by the platinum medals from this year’s World of Malvasia. The aged Terans from 2019 and 2020 are excellent, and even the young ones from 2021 and 2022 are very good, although there are fewer of them on the market because winemakers opt for aged versions,” commented Emil Perdec, a well-known Croatian sommelier and F&B manager of Plava Laguna, the good spirit of Vinistra.