A vruja is a fresh water source beneath the sea surface.
A unique oenological experience is in the works for visitors of the manifestation “Wine and Vruja,” to be organised by the Ikarski Barkajoli association this weekend, with the support of the Tourism Board of Opatija, Liburnija.com reported on August 3, 2017.
Offered will be superior wines aged over a year in ideal conditions of the Ika natural phenomenon, vruja (a fresh water source beneath the sea surface). A total of 2.400 bottles from the wineries Miklaužić, Petrač, Andrija, Prelac, Kabola, Plovanić and Ilok Cellars were sunk last year in special cages to a depth of 20 metres into the karst underwater source, and on Friday, August 4, at noon the divers of the Public Firefighting Unit Opatija and Opatija Volunteer Firefighting Society will retrieve them, starting the three-day manifestation.
A day later at 16h the central part of the manifestation will begin, including the tasting of the wine sunk last year and the sinking of a cage with new bottles of superior labels for a one-year archiving. Sommeliers and wine connoisseurs confirmed that wine aged in the sea shows the best characteristics compared to the same varieties kept in the traditional way, hence the interest of winemakers for this manifestation is growing, with Tomac, Ferenac and Belaj Castle joining in.
“This year we will sink around 3.000 bottles into the vruja, continuing the growth of our attractive manifestation. Next to a larger number of winemakers, the land programme has also been enriched, so visitors will be able to taste the wines and enjoy a rich entertainment programme, with a wine auction and search for sunken bottles near the beach. When it gets dark we also plan a spectacular backdrop on the sea – a play of sails and light,” announced Vjekoslav Zahej, President of the Istarski Barkajoli association.
The wines will be available for tasting with the purchase of a special tasting glass, joined by specialties of the Knezgrad restaurant, while the interesting programme will be led by Extra Roby, with the performances of Alba, Leo and DJ Mriža. The cultural section of the event will be complete with a photography exhibition “Kvarner in Pictures,” organised by the Fotoklub Color from Rijeka and Ika District Board.
Translated from Liburnija.com.
