WINE FAIR "VINOVITA 99" OPENED AT ZAGREB FAIR

ZAGREB, May 12, 1999 (Hina) - The fifth international fair of wine and equipment for wine-growing and selling, "Vinovita '99", was opened at the Zagreb Fair on Wednesday.

More than 300 domestic and foreign exhibitors are participating in this year's fair.

The number of participants is 28 per cent higher than last year, with even 189 wine-growers from 11 countries presenting their wine, which is a 20 per cent increase compared to last year.

Very high criteria were applied in the assessment of 470 wine samples, in line with the rules of the International office for vine and wine. These measures are aimed at increasing wine quality, which is of special importance now that Croatia is nearing its admission to the World Trade Organisation, said Zagreb Fair director Jurica Pavelic.

Wine-growers whose wines were judged best were presented awards at today's opening ceremony at the Zagreb Fair.

The champion of the Zagreb Fair in the category of half-dry to sweet white wines is Slovenian white Pinot, vintage 1992.

The award "Studenac" for the best Croatian wines in the category of dry white wines was shared between Pula's Chardonnay and the Rhine Riesling.

In the category of red wines, 'Zlatni plavac' from the island of Hvar won the first award.

In the category of dry and sparkling wines, there was no winner since no wine won the sufficient number of points to compete for the champion title.

(hina) jn rml

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