Istrian Quality - The Mighty Teran

Istria is a region well known for its wine, and in recent years it has been regularly declared as one of the best wine destinations in the world. The prestigious Wine Enthusiast included Istria into this category in 2015, and already next year, Istria was listed by the European Best Destinations.

The fact the Istrian winemakers association, Vinistria, awarded the IQ (Istrian Quality) label in the project of special marking and emphasizing quality only to Malvasia and Teran, making them official representatives of Istria, speaks volumes about how Istrian winemakers see their region and which wines they consider to tell the best story about Istria and its history. 

What makes Teran so mighty?

Due to the similarity of varieties and the Slovenian protection of the Teran name for the wine produced on Kras, which is actually a Refošk variety, a certain confusion was made when these varieties were in question and they were often compared. With the help of modern methods, the agronomists finally determined the definite difference between these two varieties, which is especially visible on the leaves. The inner side of the Teran leaf is hairy, while it is smooth with Refošk.

Teran grapes ripen late, in late September and early October. From ripe grapes, we get red wine of intense color, red shades like rubies, even purple on the edges. It has a lush fruity scent, which reminds of raspberries, but also other berries - blackberries, blueberries, and currants. What is peculiar about Teran is its balance of high acid content, unusual for red wines, and high extract (Teran variety accumulates about 16% of sugar), which makes the taste of this wine strong, full, robust, but at the same time harmonious. The ripening of Teran takes at least a year, and to keep its fruity aroma and other variety characteristics, wine is often kept in oak barrels. Teran is also specific for its high polyphenol content, which is why it is attributed with medicinal properties.

This strong black wine is served at a 18ºC temperature and is perfectly paired with red meat and venison, and is an indispensable element in the tasting of the famous Istrian prosciutto.

Politics and love - history of Teran in Istria

Teran is, like Istrian Malvasia, an indigenous Istrian grape and wine variety, known to Istrians since always: it is mentioned in historical sources more than 600 years ago. It is obvious that even then Teran was a characteristic variety of the region, which the local people were proud of: it was given to the imperial emissaries in 1390, and later to the Venetian (1408), and Austrian (1411) ambassadors. Even further in history leads us the story of Roman empress Livia Drusilla who attributed hers, for the time unusual, longevity to the Istrian wine Pucinom from Sovinjak, the only one she drank and for which the historians believe it was from the Teran variety. Up until a hundred years ago, Teran was the leading variety of the region: it was noted that in 1880 it accounted for 90% of the total range. It is still a leading black variety, even though it makes up for only 9% of all vine seedlings in Istria.

The Istrian Teran found itself even in the famous literary classic that far reaches and deeply depicts the spirit of Europe in its time: Casanova’s Memoirs. In one episode, this famous seducer found himself in the Istrian town of Vrsar, where, while enjoying Teran, experienced another famous love adventure. In honor of Giacomo Casanova and his Istrian adventure, the Casanova tour is held every year in Vrsar, where you can enjoy the reviewed romance of the 18th century - with a glass of Teran, of course.

Medicinal properties, the elixir of life, a love potion… All this seems to be hidden in a glass of magical Istrian Teran. Visit some of the Istrian winemakers, taste Teran, and discover all its charms.