At a two-day masterclass in Ourém, Portugal, Istria confirmed its status as a wine and olive growing destination. With Vinistra’s organization and with the support of the Istria County Tourist Board, award-winning Malvasias, Terans and extra virgin olive oils were presented.

Yesterday, a two-day masterclass in Ourémo, Portugal, ended with the tasting of extra virgin olive oils from Istria and Portugal as part of the ART&TUR festival. In sports terms, it was a return match after the masterclass held at the beginning of the month at the Zagreb TourFilm Festival.

With Vinistra’s organization and with the support of the Istria County Tourist Board, the famous sommelier Emil Perdec presented three wines to the Portuguese audience on the first day of the masterclass.

The Istrian sequence began with sparkling wine Festigia Blanc de Moi Brut, Laguna wines, with an elegant dry taste, smooth and fine pearling. It was followed by the aged Malvasia Santa Lucia from 2017, a Kozlović wine, refined, multi-layered, with a finely rounded body and creamy texture, beautifully ripe, with a long and rich finish, and after it the powerful Teran Il Primo from 2018, a Fakin wine, full and powerful body with the smell and taste of forest fruits, beautiful, finely rounded, ideal for aging.

As an olive growing region, Istria presented itself with Ipša's spicy Istarska Bjelica 2022, Meneghetti's intense Izbor Buža 2021 and Salvela's excellent Aurum blend from 2021.

“It was a nice experience to taste and compare Portuguese and Istrian wines. The wines went well together and complemented each other because the Portuguese wines were weaker and more delicate in structure than the Istrian wines. And the olive oils were also a good combination. Both the Istrians and the Portuguese chose two single varieties, while the third was a blend of several varieties. Ipšin was the most lively and playful considering that it is from 2022, and the Portuguese Fátima Blend from 2021 was the most specific and unusual. It originates from Fatima, a famous Marian sanctuary, neighboring city of Ourému," said Emil Perdec.

The Portuguese sommelier Bebiana Monteiro also agreed with the Istrian sommelier.

“It is a truly special experience to bring two countries together and to get to know Istrian wines. Although they share some common characteristics in production, the wines are different and it is very important for wine lovers to discover and understand these differences", Bebiana pointed out.

The Portuguese promoted the Bairrada wine region with the sparkling wine Aliança Baga Reserva Blanc de Noir Bruto 2019, the white wine São Domingos Maria Gomes & Bical 2021 and the red Messias Tradição Baga 2018, while the olive oils Cabeço das Nogueiras Premium Cornicabra 2021, Cabeço das Nogueiras Cobrançosa 2021 and Fátima Blend 2021 represented central Portugal.

“Workshops like these are the perfect opportunity to present and promote Istrian wines. I am happy that the Portuguese were delighted with our indigenous Malvasia and Teran varieties and once again confirmed their exceptional potential on foreign markets", said Luka Rossi, president of Vinistra.