Trieste offers some typically local red wines, such as the traditional Terrano, the so-called blood of the Carso because of its colour and full-bodied taste, or Refosco d'Istria with its slightly grassy flavour. The Refosco vines are grown in red earth which gives to the grapes plenty of iron and to the wine its unmistakable taste. On the other hand, Vitovska is a fresh, dry white wine from a local drought-resistant vine which can also tolerate the cold wind, the Bora, and the straw-yellow colour of Malvasia - a superb accompaniment to fish - is easily recognizable. While in the area, visitors should also sample two other white wines, Moscato d'Istria and Ribolla. The valued local variety called Glera is sometimes called a synonym for the Prosecco grape, and sometimes an earlier type of it.

Point of interest
The characteristics of these local wines vary according to whether the vines are cultivated on the Carso or along the littoral. These latter vines are considered to have a better structure with a higher alcoholic content and lower acidity.