The results of Vinistra’s 31st competition for wines and spirits and the 16th World of Malvazija are in. Best in Show for the finest Malvazija went to the Justina wine from Damjanić. This Malvazija Istarska (Istrian Malvasia) from the 2019 vintage carried off the flattering title among 350 Malvazijas that arrived for judging from as many as eight countries.
Champion titles were claimed by Vina Dešković for the best young Malvazija Istarska 2024, Zigante Vero for aged Malvazija Istarska 2020, the Tomaz winery for the best young Teran 2024, the Kozlović winery for Santa Lucia Teran 2019, the Slovenian producers Vinska klet Kralj for Refošk 2024, and Jogan for aged Refošk 2020. In the categories of Žlahtina and Muškat Momjanski (Momjan Muscat), the best were the Pavlomir wine house with Žlahtina 2024 and Vina Franković with Muškat Momjanski Luna d’Oro 2021.
Seven platinum medals were awarded to wines and spirits that scored a minimum of 95 points. These were Monemvasia-Malvasia 2010 from the Greek winery Monemvasia, Malvazija San Salvatore 2015 from Benvenuti vina, Templara 2023 from the Rossi winery, Malvazija Istarska Grand Cru 1 2020 from Vina Brčić, Teran Barbarossa 2021 from Tomaz, along with the Travarica from Destilerija Rossi and Aura’s Fernet Amaro 78.
Four types of wine glasses were used during the judging, most often Riedel glasses for Malvazija, and all wines from the 2020 vintage and older were decanted beforehand. Each wine was tasted at its optimal temperature. The chance to taste the awarded wines will come at the 31st Vinistra, from 9 to 11 May in Poreč. All the results are published on the Vinistra website. The links are World of Malvazija and Wine and Spirits Competition.
Text and photographs: Vinistra
18 April 2025
