The 2nd Salon of Sparkling Wines Zagreb has been held in the Dubrovnik Hotel, glistening in bubbles along with the first snowflakes of the year. Snow did not burden the presenters or many visitors in enjoying excellent domestic and foreign sparkling wines, with good energy and joy on all faces. After the very successful premiere last year, the connection of Zagreb and Ljubljana is becoming stronger and better. Thus the organizers decided to establish an international network of sparkling wine salons, primarily in the region. The first salon was the one in Zagreb, while on February 16, the 5th edition of the Salon Penečih Vin in Ljubljana will continue the series.
The second edition of the salon in Zagreb proved again that a large audience exists for sparkling wines and loves to expand its horizons. Some 500 visitors were seen, true admirers of sparkling wines and some fifty journalists. Presenters were exceptionally pleased with a new audience, recognizing novelties on the market, asking additional questions at tastings and buying the sparkling they like. Along with the wines, organizers offered snacks prepared by the Dubrovnik Hotel kitchen.
The Salon was opened by Slovenian Ambassador Smiljana Knez, noting the importance of such events for good economic and friendly relations of the two nations, which their embassy supports. The best sparkling wines of the Salon were named, after a joint rating held in Ljubljana, with a mixed Slovenian-Croatian jury. Winners were given awards by Franjo Francem, Deputy President of the Croatian Sommelier Club.
Awards for the best rated wines of the 2nd Sparkling Wine Salon Zagreb were divided into two categories:
White sparkling wines:
– 1st place: Radgonske gorice d. d., Zlata radgonska penina Ciconia, 2007
– 2nd place: Juve y Camps (d’Avgvsta Impex d.o.o.), Juve I Camps reserva de la familia, brut nature, 2012
– 3rd place shared by: Vinogradništvo in vinarstvo Čarga 1767, Donna Regina, brut nature, 2013, bijelo and Istenič, No.1, nv
Rose sparkling wines:
– 1st place: Vinogradništvo in vinarstvo Čarga 1767, Donna Regina, brut, Rosé, 2013;
– 2nd place: OPG Željko Kos, Rosula, 2015, brut;
– 3rd place: Radgonske gorice d. d., Zlata radgonska penina, rosé, 2012
There were 39 presenters at the salon, mostly sparkling wine producers from Croatia and Slovenia, with several sparklings from Italy, Spain and France as well as biodynamic sparklings. Over 100 wines were available. The goal of the Salon is to promote sparkling wines, elevate wine culture and monitor the growth of the sparkling scene in the region through tastings and education, which is why three free workshops were held: Legret champagnes, one with the best rated Croatian and Slovenian sparklings led by sommelier Mario Meštrović, and the last with glasses made by Staklarna Rogaška with Graben wines.
“The Salon showed once again that Croatia and Slovenia have excellent winemakers, superior sparklings and a high level of wine culture. It was another proof that meetings are successful when wine is the topic. I enjoyed every moment,” said Rado Stojanovič, Director of Radostne Prireditve company and both salons.
Translated from the G.E.T. Report.
