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Malvasia is the best wine of Vinistra 2026. But not from Istria or Dubrovnik, but from the Balearic Islands

Published: 23.04.2026

Events Istra i Kvarner Malvazija istarska Žlahtina Teran Refošk Ocjenjivanja Malvasija dubrovačka Vinistra Zigante Vero Kozlović Bodega Rossneu Tomaz Clai PZ Vrbnik Rossneu
Ivo Kozarčanin
Ivo Kozarčanin
Bakhov Sin

The champion is the Malvasia Blanc 2025 from the Rossneu winery, located near Palma de Mallorca. Zigante Vero holds the title for the best young wine, while Kozlović takes the honors for the best mature wine

The 2025 Malvazija Istarska from the Zigante Vero winery in Grožnjan is the best young Malvazija at this year's Vinistra, while the 2019 Santa Lucia from the Kozlović winery in Buje took first place in the mature Malvazija category. The 2025 Malvasia Blanc from the Spanish winery Bodega Rossneu won the Best in Show title as the highest-rated wine at the 17th World of Malvazija competition. This wine is made from the variety which is called Malvasija Dubrovačka in Croatia.

 

Nine platinum and 97 gold medals

A total of nine platinum medals were awarded, along with 97 gold, 385 silver, and 104 bronze medals. The 2021 Teran Superior from the Tomaz winery in Motovun is the champion among mature Terans, the 2020 Brombonero Refošk from the Clai winery in Buje is the top mature Refošk, and the title for best young Žlahtina went to the 2025 Vrbnička Žlahtina from the Vrbnik Agricultural Cooperative.

These results come from Vinistra’s 32nd wine and spirits competition and the 17th edition of the World of Malvazija, held in mid-April in Poreč. There were over 700 wines entered, including a record number of Malvazija wines: 350 from six countries. Sixty samples were submitted for the regional spirits competition covering Istria and Kvarner. The scores are available on the Vinistra website.

Photos: Merlo de Graia