New records at the 30th International Wine and Spirits Competition and 15th The World of Malvasia. Results are expected in eight days.

Judge excellence and quality, award wines you would enjoy in the company of your loved ones. With these words, Caroline Gilby, president of the judging committee of The Wine & Spirits Awards and The World of Malvasia opened these two highly esteemed events in the wine scene, taking place at the Parentium Plava Laguna hotel in Poreč from April 9 to 12.

New records have been set again. In Poreč, a total of 740 samples are being evaluated, 40 more than last year.

"Out of that number, as many as 340 are Malvasias from 11 countries. For comparison, last year there were 317 from seven countries. This year, Malvasias have arrived from Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Montenegro, Serbia, Germany, and we also have two premieres - one Malvasia from Macedonia and three Malvasias from Australia. All the Malvasias received are competing for the Best in Show title, the best Malvasias in the world, for the third year in a row. There is also a record number of samples of spirits, only beverages from Istria and Kvarner are being judged, and 75 of them have arrived, compared to 57 last year. This year, 50 judges and 20 trainees from 15 countries have come to Poreč," said Luka Rossi, president of the Vinistra association.

Caroline Gilby has been at the head of the judging committee for ten years and says it is an exceptional privilege to be part of this competition, which confirms that the quality of wines is increasing year by year, as well as the confidence of winemakers.

"The fact that the highest number of wines has been submitted so far, even after the difficult 2023, is truly a huge recognition for the Vinistra association and confirmation that this is a professional and well-organized competition. I would like to emphasize the very successful cooperation with Vinistra as an organization celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. It wasn't easy to establish an association in 1994 in this area, and the Vinistra association is an example of how to contribute to the prosperity of a wine region like Istria. Congratulations to everyone involved from the beginning. This is a small region in the big wine world and it's hard to make an impression, but the Vinistra association has certainly succeeded," said Gilby, who was awarded a plaque by the Vinistra association for her special contribution to contemporary Istrian winemaking.

The festive atmosphere at the 30th Vinistra

The Wine & Spirits Awards and The World of Malvasia traditionally announce Vinistra, the most anticipated wine event in the region, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary, so the atmosphere at the Žatika hall in Poreč from May 10 to 12 will be festive.

Poreč Mayor Loris Peršurić emphasized that Vinistra is not just a fair but also a brand for the city of Poreč, as well as for the entire Istria region. He thanked all winemakers, members of the Vinistra association who have been involved in this beautiful Istrian wine story for the past 30 years. Today, when we talk about Istrian wines, we talk about a synonym for quality, and during Vinistra in Poreč, everything is filled to the last seat, said the mayor, a sentiment echoed by Nenad Velenik, director of the Poreč Tourist Board.

"It is no small matter to announce the jubilee 30th edition of Vinistra and the 15th The World of Malvasia, traditionally held in our Parentium hotel. Plava Laguna proudly emphasizes its long-standing partnership with Vinistra, and three full decades of international wine exhibitions are evidence of the growth of Istrian winemakers and domestic production. Istrian wines easily find their way onto the wine lists of our hotels, reaching our guests who thereby receive a comprehensive tourist experience. Thanks to Vinistra as well, Istria has firmly established itself as a wine region on the world wine map, thereby contributing to the promotion of the destination," said Emil Perdec, F&B manager of Plava Laguna, a well-known hotel company in Poreč and a long-time partner of Vinistra.