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Many Istrians
conceive wine a inexplicable
unearthly sacred potion, a
necessity and passion, the
culture of living, as
nourishment and liquor,
prayer and a curse. Istrians
have been historically
devoted to the grapevine. A
proverbial saying confirms
it; Wine comes from
grapevine and milk from a
goat. Wheat is life, while
wine is a myth and as our
elders would say, The bread
is for the flesh and wine is
for the soul. |
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Over
the past century
the Istrian
malmsey has
borne the title
of the most
famous and
ubiquitous wine
of our
peninsula.
Regular abundant
vintages,
exuberant
growth,
resistance to
disease and the
quality of wine
produced from
it, have assured
her this leading
position.
Depending on the
chemical
processing
procedure,
nurture and
vintage year,
its color varies
from straw to
golden yellow.
Its scent
primarily
reminds of the
locust flower
scent. The
contents of its
main components
make her an
average to
full-bodied
wine, its volume
of alcohol
ranging from
11.5 to 13.5
with delicate
bouquet and
fresh taste. It
complements most
superbly the
entire variety
of the
Mediterranean
cuisine.
The Istrian
counterpart of
malmsey is teran.
Teran and its
subtype refosc
are both
considered the
pristine,
indigenous wines
of Istria. We
tend to call the
red wines black,
mostly because
of teran's
intense, deep,
ruby color. The
local farmer
gently whispers,
Its color is
similar to
hare's blood and
it can be drunk
like milk. Its
bouquet is
fruit.like and
its special
taste is easily
recognized.
Healing power
has been
attributed to
it. It is in
excellent
harmony with
heavier, more
caloric dishes,
such as local
stew, sauces and
venison.
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A great many
connoisseurs of Istrian
wines will tend to rank the
highest the Istrian muscatel
or, to be more specific, the
muscatel produced in and
around Momjan, owing to its
gold-like color, intense
bouquet of wild clove pink
and its exquisite aroma. Dry
and sweet. Worthy complement
of dessert and many other
delicacies. even aphrodisiac
power has been attributed to
it, especially as regards to
virtuous ladies.
Istria, this miniature
continent and the largest
peninsula of the Adriatic
coast, slopes gently into
the sea towards the
eternally sunny southwest.
The wine's bouquet and body
is enriched by the special
land structure, i.e. the red
soil spreading over the
littoral and the white soil
covering the hinterland
area. The vineyards spread
over approx. 15.200 acres of
land. The western
viticulture area (in the
vicinity of Porec, Buje,
Pula and Rovinj) is the
largest, its vineyards
covering approx. 14.430
acres. The Central Istria
wine-growing hills (around
Buzet and Pazin) spread over
some 516.44 acres, while in
the eastern part (near Labin),
there are around 255 acres
of vinegrapes.
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