Last Week's Tasting
Wines from Istria, The Tuscany of Croatia
April 16, 2025
Mirena Bagur of Croatian Premium Wine Imports impressed in her presentation. She is erudite and passionate about Croatian wines and has been one of our most popular guest presenters.
Mirena Bagur of Croatian Premium Wine Imports impressed in her presentation. She is erudite and passionate about Croatian wines and has been one of our most popular guest presenters.
Located at the top of the Adriatic, the Istrian peninsula is shared by Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy. Between the Alps' and Adriatic foothills, Istria is blessed with hills, a moderate climate modulated by the sea breeze, and several types of soil ideal for wine growing. The diverse soils are enriched with deep limestone deposits, allowing for the cultivation and production of numerous varieties. We will taste several expressions of Istria’s two main varieties.
White
The Grape: Malvazija Istarska or Malvasia Istriana
The Malvasia grape can be crisp if it comes from the coastal area or full-bodied if it comes from inland. It has luxurious fruity notes. You can feel honey, lemon peel, and pear on the nose, with a nutty, slightly bitter finish.
Damjanić Malvazija 2022
From Coastal vineyards, it is dry, fresh, round, balanced, and harmonious, with a hint of saltiness and bitterness. It can be aged 3 – 5 years and is paired with pasta with meat or seafood, risotto with seafood, shrimp, fish specialties, and white meat with grilled vegetables. $34, Six or more $29.99
Fakin Malvasia 2022
Hand-harvested from estate vineyards in Istria’s mountainous north, fermented and aged in stainless steel. With juicy flavors like apricot, melon, and peach cradled in silky softness, this mouthwatering white is just the ticket for warm-weather sipping. Pair it with grilled fish, shellfish, chicken salad, veggie pasta, or creamy risotto—or serve it as an apéritif. $34, Six or more $29.99
Red
The Grape: Teran
“Teran is more ancient than Cabernet or Pinot Noir. Native to Istria, it dates back at least 700 years. It produces elegant, fresh wines with lively fruit and relatively firm tannins that respond well to barrel aging and are adored for their wild herbal aromas and smoothness. Like Cabernet, Teran’s higher tannins and acids require the skillful hands of the winemaker. Its wines have medium to strong bodies, rich in aromas of red fruits, such as sour cherries, sweet cherries, and blackberries, with medium and pleasant tannins.
Ritoša Teran 2017
The wine spends one year in small wooden barrels before bottling. It has a dark ruby color, a mild scent of red rose and pepper, and a taste of mixed berry fruit with a good body and freshness. Drink it with game dishes, red meat, and grilled or blue fish. $32, Six or more $29.99
Damjanić Duro 2019
The blend is half Teran and Borgonja, the latter of which is the same grape as Austrian Blaufränkisch or German Lemberger. Fermentation in stainless with aging in oak wooden barrels for 12 months, and then in a bottle for 6 – 12 months
Vibrant with blackcurrant, blackberry, and raspberry – plus a touch of spice. Drink cool now or over the next 7 – 10 years with grilled or roasted beef, pork, lamb, meat-based pasta dishes, and hearty soups and stews. $60, Six or more $53
Fakin Teran 2022
In this fresh and fruity red, Marko shows us why Motovun is a primo region for Teran, Istria’s flagship native variety. Handpicked and aged in stainless steel, his unoaked take on Teran is pure liquid velvet. It has ripe berry flavors like cherry. It’s full and strong-bodied, with a taste and nose of forest fruits. Its acidity and tannins give it roundness and a long aftertaste. It's good with meat dishes and red sauce pasta. It is Ideal for longer aging. $34, Six or more $29.99
Fakin Il Primo Teran 2019
This selection of the best grapes from 50-year-old vines in the Flaminio” single vineyard 1972. Harvested by hand at the start of October, it was macerated and fermented for 21 days. Aging was 24 months in new Oak barrels. The wine is medium-bodied, with the aroma of forest fruits.
Wine Enthusiast “ ruby red color that, with aging, passes into brick red tones. Full and strong-bodied with a flavor and nose of forest fruits. Its acidity and tannins give it roundness and a long aftertaste. Ideal for longer aging. $60, Six or more $53
Croatian Sampler , one each of the wines $277
Or mix any six or more at their case prices
Order by phone at 617.367.8605, or reserve here: Click to Order
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