In Poreč, on 23 April 2026, Vinistra’s 32nd Wine and Spirits Competition and the 17th World of Malvazija (Svijet Malvazija) were held. The Malvazija Istarska 2025 – Istrian Malvasia – from the Zigante Vero winery of Grožnjan is the champion in the Young Malvazija category, while this prestigious title in the Mature Malvazija category went to Santa Lucia 2019 from the Kozlović winery of Buje. The Rossneu Malvasia Blanc 2025 from the Spanish house Bodega Rossneu, as the highest-scoring Malvazija, was awarded the title of Best in Show 2026.
The Teran Superior 2021 from the Tomaz winery of Motovun is the champion in the Mature Teran category, and the Brombonero Refošk 2020 from the Clai winery of Buje in the Mature Refošk category, while in the Young Žlahtina category the champion title went to Vrbnička Žlahtina 2025 of the PZ Vrbnik cooperative.
A total of five champion medals were awarded, along with one Best in Show, nine platinum, 97 gold, 385 silver and 104 bronze medals.
These are the results of Vinistra’s 32nd Wine and Spirits Competition and the 17th World of Malvazija, which are traditionally held in mid-April in Poreč and are eagerly awaited.
To recall, this year in Poreč more than 700 samples were judged – the largest number of Malvazija to date, as many as 350 samples from six countries – while the regional spirits competition, covering the area of Istria and Kvarner, received 60 samples. The awards ceremony will be held on 6 May at the Hotel Parentium Plava Laguna in Poreč, on the eve of Vinistra, the longest-running and most popular Croatian wine exhibition. Its 32nd edition was announced at the MIVA Wine Gallery in Zagreb. Top Malvazijas and Terans were poured, and it was an occasion to once again taste wines from the Riedel Malvazija Istarska glass – the same glass that will be used at the forthcoming wine exhibition, held in Poreč from 8 to 10 May.
“Vinistra brings an exceptionally rich programme and once again confirms its status as the most important wine event in the region. We can look forward to outstanding wines, strong international interest and a chance to showcase the breadth and quality of Istrian winemaking,” said Luka Rossi, president of Vinistra, the association of winemakers and viticulturists of Istria.
Do not forget: from 8 to 10 May, the 32nd Vinistra takes place in Zagreb.
Results of the Wine and Spirits Competition: https://vinistra.hr/hr/ocjenjivanje-vina-jap-2026
Results of the World of Malvazija: https://vinistra.hr/hr/svijet-malvazija-2026
Photo by: Merlo De Graia, Domagoj Sever
