This is the message to wine lovers from the web page of Livio, Albert and Nikola Benvenuti, father and two sons, not twins although they look the part. Their winery was pivotal in all 10 years of Vinistra and in the hearts of all who tasted their wines. Since 2003 their young and fresh Malvasia, has regularly won gold medals at the great Istrian wine fair each spring in Poreč, twice winning the best rated wine award. Their Terranos were also champions of Vinistra twice.
The first encounter with their aged Terrano, as all of them are in their cellar in Kaldir, a village on a hill across from Motovun town in north-western Istria, convinced me of the potential of the variety. Each subsequent tasting only confirmed this conviction. Wines from these two varieties positioned the Benvenutis firmly among the most significant Istrian winemakers such as Coronica or Clai, while this year showed they have plenty more to offer.
First, at the International Wine Challenge in London, one of the most prestigious wine ratings in the world, they won gold and the national champion title with the sweet wine Muscat San Salvatore 2011. The variety is Muscat White, often called the Momjan Muscat, flourishing well in Kaldir in the same name vineyard at 400 metres above sea level. This wine was offered to participants of the Wine Vision conference in the Californian Sonoma Valley, where representatives of 100 wineries from around the world conversed about the future of wine growing and winemaking, among them Albert Benvenuti.
Then their second “candy,” Corona Grande 2013 wine, won five stars, meaning at least 95 points from a 100 at the Wine Stars rating, the most comprehensive rating in Croatia. A mix of Malvasia, Muscat and local variety Ulovina have a harmonious wine of seductive scent to be enjoyed in peace and quiet. From the San Salvatore position they make an excellent sweet Malvasia, so their wines are an excellent choice for the holidays.
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