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The first appearance on the Paris wine stage among the world’s leading regions impressed wine professionals. Istria’s strength lies in its indigenous varieties and top quality.
Vinistra once again confirmed its status as the leading wine association in the region. It presented Istrian wines on the international wine scene as the only Croatian association representing the national colours at the prestigious Wine Paris fair, held from 9 to 11 February. In competition with the world’s leading wine regions, Istria was showcased as one of the most dynamic Mediterranean wine stories.
At the Vinistra stand in Hall 4, 13 Istrian wineries were presented: Fakin, Medea, Kozlović, Clai, Benvenuti, Meneghetti, Matošević, Rossi, Deklić, Pervino, Festigia, Damjanić and Kabola. Over the course of three days, their wines attracted the interest of importers, sommeliers and wine critics, who recognised their authenticity, pronounced terroir and contemporary approach to production.
“The interest in our wines was exceptionally high, which makes us especially proud. We came to this fair with a clear goal – to proudly present our two indigenous varieties, the white Malvazija Istarska and the red Teran. Although Istrian winemakers also produce excellent wines from well-known international varieties, our true strength lies precisely in our authentic wines, which have long been recognised as a distinctive part of the global wine scene and continue to win prestigious international awards,” emphasised Vinistra Director Ivan Marić.
Two masterclasses also attracted great attention. “Don’t Forget the Z – The Different Faces of Malvazija Istarska” was led by top expert and one of the editors of Decanter, Caroline Gilby, who highlighted why Malvasia deserves strong international visibility. The second masterclass, “Discover Istria – A Vinous Exploration of the Peninsula,” hosted by Claire Cocks, was led by Vinistra Association President Luka Rossi and its Director Ivan Marić, offering an overview of the diversity of the Istrian wine scene.
“Participating at Wine Paris was an exceptional opportunity for us to demonstrate how much Istria has progressed as a wine region in just over thirty years. We presented ourselves jointly, strongly and in an organised manner, and the market response confirmed that our wines have their place among the best. Istria is no longer a hidden gem, but a recognised European wine region with a clear identity and a high level of quality,” said Luka Rossi.
More than 6,500 exhibitors from as many as 170 countries present themselves at Wine Paris, and the fair attracts over 63,000 visitors. During the event, more than 240 workshops and nearly 26,000 business meetings are organised, clearly confirming its global importance. The prestige of the event is further underscored by the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, while among the exhibitors was also singer Kylie Minogue, who presented her own wine line.