Top 100 red wines of Istria

Discover the top 100 best red wines of Istria as well as the best winemakers in the region. Explore the varietals of the red wines that are popular of Istria and the best vintages to taste in this region.

Discovering the wine region of Istria

Romania is located at the geographical crossroads between Central and South-Eastern Europe. The Romanian wine industry uses a wide range of indigenous and international red and white Grape varieties. Both vinifera and American grape species are present here, as well as a number of hybrids. The latter are chosen for their resistance to varying Climates.

The Fetească white grape varieties (the two variants Fetească Regală and Alba) are the most widely planted in Romania. They account for a significant portion of the country's white wine production. Romanian "Riesling" is more likely to be Welschriesling than true Rhenish Riesling. Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat (Ottonel) and Sauvignon Blanc are reliably identifiable.

As far as red wines are concerned, the great Bordeaux classics Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are planted in large numbers in Romanian vineyards and together account for about 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Other well-known reds include Pinot Noir and Blaufrankisch (Kekfrankos/Lemberger). Fetească Neagră makes its home in the eastern Part of the country, in the province of Moldova (or Moldavia), on the border with the country of the same name. With Ukraine to the North and Bulgaria to the south, Romania is clearly a country with Slavic influences.

News from the vineyard of Istria

Drought emergency declared in northern Italy

Severe drought in northern Italy has led to the country’s government declaring a state of emergency in several regions, including Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont and Veneto. Funds of €36.5m (£31m) would be made available to these regions for drought relief, the government said. Agriculture body Coldiretti said last week that the Po river, which flows across northern Italy to the Adriatic Sea, was almost unrecognisable. Drought in the Po Valley threatened around 30% of n ...

Rhône Valley Wine Tour with Matt Walls

We are excited to announce the first of Decanter’s Wine Experiences, a series of carefully curated wine trips hosted by our regional wine specialists. Each trip is a carefully tailored once-in-a-lifetime experience that will grant guests access to the best vineyards, restaurants and wine experts of the region.   Starting with a trip to the Rhône valley, Matt Walls will be hosting the first Decanter Wine Experience, imparting his knowledge of the region which he has honed over the years while rep ...

Distilled – carbon-neutral Yorkshire vodka launched

What to drink now… Mimosa Perfect for spring brunch, the Mimosa is a mix of equal parts Champagne and orange juice. The cocktail is attributed to Frank Meier, head bartender at the Paris Ritz, who served the first Mimosa in 1925, though the recipe appeared elsewhere in France at the same time. Either way, it’s a twist on the British Buck’s Fizz, invented in 1921 at the Buck’s Club in London, which used more Champagne and could include gin. Avoid vintage fizzes or special cuvées: a classic ...

The best wines of Istria in other styles