By arriving in Croatia, numerous lovers of Dionysius' liquid inquire about the best Croatian wines. Without false modesty, there are many quality wines and it all depends on what kind of wine you prefer. In any case, everyone will find something that will suit his palate. In order not to fall into the trap of judging the best Croatian wines, we will present to you Croatian wine regions. Today, you are going to Istria to meet Istrian wines because they are one of the first associations when Croatian wines are mentioned. So, what it's like and why it's fun to enjoy Istrian wine?
Istrian wine is the poetry of taste and smell, it is an inseparable part of Istrian man, his passion and love, the deepest intimacy and open pride, a lavish gift of rock land, and abundant sun. The history of wine and the local people is a story that lasts for almost 2000 years since the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius brought the vine to the warm Istrian land. There are various types of wines that reflect the diversity of the climate and the soil on which they grown. From young light white wines of colorful autumn as such as Malvasia, Muscat, Pinot blanc or Pinot Gris to full of elegant flavors of mature barrique and Istrian red wines as such as Teran, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Traveling through wine roads is also an adventure through indigenous Istria, its landscapes, and picturesque hills. Searching for cellars and wine stories, you will discover solitary stanzas, and a perfect blend of the rural way of life and the achievements of the modern age. Each season brings new vistas of a vineyard, and each harvest brings new champions. Istrian wines have been winning the top of prestigious competitions for years, and are especially well listed at the world's largest wine competition Decanter. This is the result of serious work in the vineyard and cellar that brought the winemakers of Istria a well-deserved recognition.
The most common wine varieties in Istria are already mentioned a few moments ago, but some of them stand out because they are native wines of Istria. Of the white wines, Malvasia and Muscat should be certainly be mentioned in that context, while red wines include varieties such as Teran, Muscat Red, Bergonja, and Refoska.
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Istrian Malvasia wine is medium to strong, full, rounded, and harmonious with an alcohol content between 11.5 and 13.5%. It is a golden and fragrant wine, fruity aromas are most often dominated by apples, plums, and apricots, and in mature wine, you can feel the slightly bitter taste of almonds. About 60% of the wine produced in Istria refers to Malvasia. In 1998, it was declared the best indigenous variety in Croatia and a year the best white wine in Croatia. Malvasia is served at a temperature of 10 ° C with appetizers with vegetables and pasta with cheese-based sauces, and cream, smoked fish, boiled and baked white fish, boiled veal, and pork.
Muscat Momjan (Istrian Muscat) is an indigenous variety of Momjan. Due to its location and microclimate, it is unique in the world. It is a quality white wine with the rest of the sugar, produced from the Muscat Momjan grape variety. It is golden yellow in color, with a luxurious aroma and rich taste. It is served as an aperitif or as a dessert wine or with the first courses of truffle-based dishes. It is served at a temperature of 10 - 12 ° C.
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Teran is an old Istrian indigenous variety that was first mentioned more than 600 years ago. Until a hundred years ago, it was the main Istrian variety that was planted in most of the local vineyards. Gives moderate to strong wine, 11-12.5 vol% alcohol. It achieves top-quality in good years in the area of central Istria, but also on the red soils of northwestern Istria. Teran wine has a characteristic ruby-red color, which is interwoven with a purple tone. The aroma is fine, pronounced, and recognizable, with a typical fruity character dominated by raspberry flavor. Due to its inherent fullness and a large number of polyphenols, it is also considered a medicinal wine.
Due to its characteristics, it goes perfectly with meat dishes and venison, as well as with prosciutto and cheese. Its characteristics are most pronounced when drunk at a temperature of about 18-20 ° C.
Muscat red for more than 100 years conveys a good reputation of Poreč winemaking. It is traditionally produced as a dessert wine. It has 8% unfermented sugar and 16 vol% alcohol, and the delicate scent of roses leaves a lasting memory. It is recommended with dessert dishes served at a temperature of 16-18 ° C.
Borgonja is one of the oldest known grape varieties. This old Istrian autochthonous variety achieves the best results on red soil in northwestern Istria. It is suitable for the production of young Beaujolais wine. Burgundy wine is moderately strong to strong, 11-12.5 vol.% Alcohol, distinct aroma, and very harmonious, refreshing acidity and a certain bitterness. It smells like forest fruits and violets and its color is from garnet to dark red.
Low alcohol content and medium acidity give drinkability and the possibility of this wine to adapts to a variety of dishes and even those that go with white wines. It goes best with pasta, lasagna, soft and medium-hard cheeses, meat in white sauce. It is serviced at a temperature of 15-18 ° C.
Refošk is an autochthonous Istrian variety, rich in expression and character, with a fruity bouquet of raspberries and cherries and a light shade of grass. Its color is intense, deep, like a ruby, and is rich in lactic acid and iron. Numerous medicinal properties are prescribed to it. It is offered with venison, and especially with Istrian prosciutto. It is served at a temperature of 16 ° C. Refošk does not have a lot of alcohol, on average it reaches about 11 vol.%. As it ages, it acquires a more intense fruity scent and a high-value aroma.
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In short, Istrian wines offer a layered story that has only just begun to unfold. so don't waste time and enjoy the flavors of Istrian wine by booking your unforgettable experience by following the link. We guarantee a multitude of rich flavors and perfectly selected wines just for you.
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Wine description source: http://histrica.com/hr/g/gastronomija/vino/
Enjoy the Magic of Istrian wine! Live it & love it! 😎😍