What Is Teran?
19 June 2026
Teran is probably the most recognizable name among Karst wines. It's a red wine of a dark, almost violet colour, known to many for its pronounced, fresh acidity — a trait that sets it noticeably apart from most other Slovenian red wines.
Which grape it's made from
Teran is made from the Refošk grape (refosco in Italian, also known under similar names in Croatian Istria). Refošk is an old variety, grown across north-eastern Italy, Slovenian Istria, the Karst and part of Croatia, but it's on the Karst that it gained its most recognizable name — Teran.
The grape has a dark, thick skin and high acidity, both of which carry directly into the wine: a deep red to violet colour and a lively, sometimes sharp acidity that some compare to the taste of tart forest berries.
Why it's so closely tied to the Karst
Refošk grows in a number of regions, but it's the specific combination of Karst terra rossa, limestone and the bora wind that gives the wine the character Teran is recognized for. Shallow limestone soil forces the vine to root deep, which contributes minerality to the wine. The bora keeps the environment dry and so limits disease in the vineyard, letting growers allow the grapes to ripen fully without unnecessary intervention.
Because this tie to the land is so strong, the name Teran on the Karst isn't just a description of the variety — it denotes a wine with a specific origin, similar to other European wines tied to a defined production area.
Character in the glass
Teran is generally known for a deep, dark red to violet colour; pronounced, lively acidity; noticeable tannins that round out with age; and aromas of dark and red forest fruit along with earthy, sometimes herbal notes.
The exact profile varies from producer to producer and vintage to vintage — the way it's made (length of maceration, aging, whether sulfites are added or not) has a big influence on how these basic varietal traits show up in any given bottle.
Teran at Vina Durcik
Our Teran carries the name Naret. It's made from 100% Refošk, with spontaneous fermentation, maceration lasting 9 to 14 days, and aging in wooden barrels for one to three years. We don't add sulfites and we don't filter the wine.
You can read more about Naret, the vintages and how to order it on the Naret – Teran page.
Related reading
Curious how Teran and Refošk are related and where they differ? Read The Difference Between Teran and Refošk. For wider context on the Karst soil it grows on, see our page on the Karst.
Frequently asked questions
Is Teran the same as Refošk?
Refošk is a grape variety, while Teran is the name that, on the Karst, denotes a wine made from that variety, grown on the area's characteristic soil. Read more about the difference in our article "The Difference Between Teran and Refošk."
Why does Teran have such pronounced acidity?
High acidity is a trait of the Refošk grape itself, further emphasized by the Karst soil and climate — shallow, limestone soil and relatively cool nights slow the loss of acidity as the grapes ripen.