Teran in Ljubljana 2014

by stasa cafuta trcek (text & photos)

Where: Hotel Union, Ljubljana, Slovenia

When: 30 May 2014

What: Promotion of Teran PTP from consortium KARST growers of Teran

Every year at the end of the Spring Teran wine is presented in Ljubljana, to journalists and to the rest of the public. It is already a traditional event hosted by winemakers from the (Slovenian) Karst – KRAS. A consortium KARST growers of Teran (Konzorcij kraških pridelovalcev Terana)", with the aim of linking major Karst winemakers, improving the quality of Teran and joint promotion of the Karst in general. We had a chance to taste vintages 2013, 2012 and 2011. Teran is a Slovenian specialty. And if you ever come to Slovenia TERAN is must taste wine. Why? Living in Karst is very difficult. An integral feature of the Karst region is strong wind, called Burja. Karst contains many caves, have a unique landscape – with many sinkholes and biological characteristics. Arable land is little. The water level oscillates during the season. People from Karst are strong. Harsh climate also influenced the architecture. Villages are built of stone. So you can imagine out of that short description that Teran is Rustic wine with intensive red colour and lower alcohol content. It is fresh in mouth. You can smell forest fruits. Teran calls for food!

After tasting for journalists, every each of us has to comment the wines. For 2014 tasting I summarized that the samples are every year more and more unified and representative. The food that it was served went very well with wines. I suggested to the winemakers to write instead of their surnames just TERAN to the cork.

My TOP

• • Teran PTP 2013, Vinarstvo Vrabec, Kras Wine District, Primorska Wine Region, Slovenia

  • Teran PTP 2013, Turistična kmetija Škerlj, Kras Wine District, Primorska Wine Region, Slovenia

  • Teran 2011, Škerk Sandi, Carso, Italy

  • Teran PTP 2013, Vina Štoka, Kras Wine District, Primorska Wine Region, Slovenia

What is so special in Teran?

Teran is a Slovenian specialty. In Slovenia, Teran is protected by the mark PTP (meaning Recognized Traditional Denomination), regulated by the Rules on Wine (hereinafter: “Rules”) for recognized traditional denomination – Teran (OG RS nr. 16, 15. 2.2008). Teran PTP wine is made exclusively from grapes of the variety Refosco grown on absolute winegrowing sites, within the frame of the winegrowing sub-district of Kras or the Trieste-Komen Plateau, which stretches between the left bank of the Vipava River in the north and the Bay of Trieste in the south, the Soča Ravine in the west and the town of Ilirska Bistrica in the east. The soil, which accumulates through the decomposition or dissolution of various limestones, contains considerable amounts of carbonate skeleton which gives it the moniker kremenčica (“carbonate soil”). Extensive amounts of carbonate skeleton contribute to the greater acidity of Brz-horizons in the soil and consequently create specific conditions for the cultivation of Teran vines. Due to its characteristic intensive red colour, the soil is also known as red soil, terra rossa or jerina. Absolute winegrowing sites are airy and do not lie within the deep depressions of Kras funnels. (source: www.agrotur.si/en)

Did you know Teran is known as a healthy wine?

Its colour is the result of a high concentration of biologically active red pigments called anthocyanins. These have been proven to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, as they impede the advancement of arteriosclerosis and reduce the blood level of harmful low density cholesterol (LDL). Anthocyanins also traverse into brain cells. Available studies offer reasonable grounds to believe that they help improve brain functions and impede the occurrence of neurodegenerative conditions. In addition, anthocyanins exhibit anticarcinogenic properties. They also have a positive impact on the prevention of metabolic syndrome and diabetes occurrence, as well as on ocular health as they are proven to strengthen the walls of eye capillaries and increase their flexibility. (source: www.agrotur.si/en)

We tasted:

Teran PTP 2013 Rogelja, Teran PTP 2013 Petelin Durcik, Teran PTP 2013 Vinska klet Orel, Teran PTP 2013 Turistična kmetija Škerlj, Teran PTP 2013 Kraška domačija Bajta, Teran PTP 2011 Castello Di Rubbida, Teran PTP 2013 Vinarstvo Vrabec, Teran PTP 2013 Čotova klet, Teran PTP 2013 Štok David, Teran PTP 2013 Škerlj Jožef, Teran PTP 2013 Vinakras, Teran PTP 2013 klet Pupis, Teran 2011 Škerk Sandi, Teran PTP 2013 Vinarstvo Širca Kodrič, Teran PTP 2013 Vina Štoka, Teran PTP 2013 CV Colja, Teran PTP 2013 Vinska klet Lisjak, Teran 2011 Zidarich Benjamin, Teranov liker Vinakras.

More: www.agrotur.si/en