Five championship titles and eight platinum medals, the biggest surprise at the 14th World of Malvasia in the Best in Show category.

The champion title for fresh Malvasia was awarded to Kadum winery from Poreč. The Sonata Riserva 2020. from the Rovinj winery Dobravac is a champion in the category of aged Malvasia, while Fakin winery won the champion title in the category of fresh Teran. In the category of mature Teran, Benvenuti's Teran Livio Benvenuti from 2019 won the championship title.

The championship title among fresh Refoscos was won by the Slovenian winery Jogan from Pobega, while the biggest surprise was the Best in Show title at the 14th World of Malvasia. It was awarded to Italian wine Passito Na'jm 2020, from the Cantine Colosi winery, made from the Malvasia delle Lipari variety. This sweet Malvasia from the Aeolian Islands has become the best Malvasia in the world for this year.

It is worth noting that this year's Vinistra international wine and spirits competition, and the 14th World of Malvasia, received as many as 700 samples, with 90 judges from 17 countries deciding on the best ones.

"All records have been broken. 30 percent more samples arrived in Poreč than last year, including 317 Malvasias from seven countries, 325 other wines, and 58 spirits. There are more and more winemakers, especially Malvasia producers, who have recognized the exceptional quality of our evaluation. I would like to congratulate all the winners on the excellent work done in the vineyard and cellar," said Luka Rossi, President of the Vinistra Association of winegrowers and winemakers of Istria, which will be organizing the 29th Vinistra in Poreč from May 5th to 7th, followed by the prestigious Concours Mondial de Bruxelles world competition from May 11th to 14th.

Platinum for three Malvasias, three Refoscos, and one Muscat

In line with the continuous improvement of quality at the Vinistra evaluation in recent years, a minimum of 90 points is required for a gold medal, and since last year, Vinistra has introduced the platinum category for all wines with at least 95 points.

At the 14th World of Malvasia, two wines from Vižinada - Pilat's Malvazija Sur Lie from 2019 and Deklić's aged Malvasia from 2020, as well as Justino's Madeira Malvasia Colheita 2009 from the Portuguese Madeira, won this medal.

Among other wines, in addition to Benvenuti's Muscat San Salvatore from 2017, three Refoscos also won platinum medals: the 2020 one from the Prelac winery in Momjan, and two Slovenian ones - Santomas 2020 from Vinska klet Santomas in Šmarje and Capris Refosk Vinakoper, also from 2020.

In the category of strong alcoholic beverages, the Buzet-based Aura won the platinum medal for Fernet Amaro 78, and as usual, the awards will be presented to the producers on the eve of the 29th Vinistra, on Wednesday, May 3.