At Wine Republic in Yerevan, eight of us organized a grand tasting of wines. Everybody who participated brought at least one bottle. The group consisted of the head winemaker & marketing team of Armenia Wine Company (the biggest winery in Armenia), the proprietor of the wine bar, and ourselves.

We had the opportunity to sample wines from Argentina, Armenia, France, Georgia, Germany, and Spain. A few of the wines were world class including a Robert Parker darling from Ribera del Duero, a Pinot Noir from Germany, and Zorah from Armenia. Most of the wines showed fairly well with only one bad bottle.

It was a fun evening of tasting, talking, and sharing ideas. A perfect example of what makes sharing wine with people so enjoyable.

M. Chapoutier , Schieferkopf, Sylvaner 2013, Alsace, France

At first, we thought that this was a Riesling but its shy and neutral nose spoke otherwise. Later we found that this was the grape Sylvaner. This white wine is nice enough with some floral notes teaming with lychee and melon flavors. It was very well made by left us wanting for more.

Khareba, Monastery Wine, Otskanuri Sapere 2012, Imereti, Georgia

This is made from a rare red grape Otskhanuri Sapere in West Georgia. It is made by one of the largest companies in Georgia and is fermented in traditional Georgian qvevri (buried terra-cotta vessels.) Our previous experience with this bottle was promising and it showed even better this evening. The wonderful sour raspberry, cherry, earth, and grapefruit flavors are accompanied by dirt, tobacco, and mineral notes. We brought this wine to the group and everyone was very intrigued by the wine. Excellent depth and flavor profile. 

Dalvina, Oxhoft, Syrah 2011, Strumichko-Radovishki, Macedonia

This was brought by the winemaker himself, Mr Josef Watzl, who no longer makes wine in Macedonia. This Syrah has a very complex nose that had dark cherry, spice, earth, and blackcurrant. On the palate, it tasted like a mix between a dirty Rhone Syrah and a fruitier Shiraz from Australia. The wine changes very quickly in the glass and gets your mind going. The body is lighter than one might expect from the nose.

Armenia Wine Company, Kangun, 2016, Aragatsotn, Armenia

A new wine that will be launched soon. This was a sample that Josef brought with him, he is now the head winemaker at Armenia Wine Company. The grape Kangun was used for brandy production by the Soviets in USSR times because of its hardiness and resistance to the cold winters. This is full of explosive pine, pineapple, and melon flavors with rich mineral flavors. A very simple and enjoyable table white wine.

Armenia Wine Company, Kangun Off-Dry 2016, Aragatsotn, Armenia 

This wine was another sample brought by Josef Watzl who is now the head winemaker at Armenia Wine Company. It was made to introduce people into drinking dry wines. It has about 10g/L of sugar and is the type of wine that would make both sweet-wine and dry wine drinkers happy. It has wonderful and explosive flavors that are very similar to well done late harvest Rieslings.

Old Bridge, Reserve Dry Red, 2012, Vayots Dzor, Armenia

The native grape Areni is made is so many different styles but this is the most honest expression of the grape that we have come across. Old Bridge is made in small quantities from a lovely man in Vayots Dzor. The wine has a beautiful ruby color and shows lots of sour cherry, mineral, dirt, and a touch of softwood from the Caucasian oak. This wine is by no means industrial and has lots of energy and life behind it. The flavors are extremely bright on the palate, a very cheerful wine.

Maínetes, Petit Verdot, 2012, Jumilla, Spain

Petit Verdot is becoming very big in Spain now and this wine is from Jumilla which is dominated by plantings of Monastrell (Mourvedre). This wine was the darkest of the evening besides the Ribera del Duero. It smells of herbs, stems, greens, dark berry, and earth. The wine has nice structure and is well made but tastes leaner than you would expect from an area that receives so much sun.

Bodegas JA Calvo Casajús, NIC, 2010, Ribera del Duero, Spain

This wine is 100% Tempranillo and from a small producer in Ribera del Duero. This vintage received 93 points from Robert Parker. This wine is extremely rich yet elegant at the same time. It manages to be fruit forward without being too jammy. The wine has wonderful flavors of black cherry, dirt, minerals, spice, and black pepper. Grace, power, and elegance in one package.

Zorah, Karasi, 2014, Vayots Dzor, Armenia

This is a new vintage of Areni from this wonderful producer in Armenia. Zorah is the most heralded Armenian wine as the 2010 vintage was featured in Bloomberg’s “Top Ten Wines of 2012.” This smells and feels very much like an Italian wine – Chianti Classico-esque. The wine is fermented in concrete eggs and aged in karas (amphora.) The nose has sour cherry, grass, earth, minerals, tobacco and a touch of smoke – simply wonderful nose. The palate is full of sour cherry, earth, minerals, and smooth tannins – simply beautiful wine

Kataro, Dry Red Wine, 2013, Nagorno-Karabakh

Made from the indigenous grape Khndoghni in the hotly disputed region (or country depending on the source) of Nagorno Karabakh. This is the basic red wine from this family owned and operated producer in the region. Khndoghni has a lot of potential and this wine is a little rough around the edges but shows nice dark color, dark fruit, earth, dirtiness, and firm tannins. We personally love the reserve version of this wine, but on this evening this wine strutted some of its stuff.

Bodega Del Fin Del Mundo, Reserva Malbec 2013, Patagonia, Argentina

This wine tasted overheated, it probably wasn’t stored well – after a quick taste the bottle was thrown to the side.

Dr Heger, Vorderer Winklerberg, Spätburgunder, 2013, Badan, Germany

An exceptional Pinot Noir made from a German producer with a big-time reputation near the French border. This nose is wonderful with notes of light red fruit, sand, leaves, caramel, and a touch of wood. This Pinot Noir has beautiful texture and is very soft on the palate, the only gripe is the fact that it has a touch too much wood. It is oh so close to being a transcendent wine.

Sarduri, Dry Red, 2013 , Aragatsotn, Armenia

A very inexpensive wine made from 80% Kakhet and 20% Haghtanak which are both indigenous to Armenia. This wine drinks well past its price point. There are light red fruit, caramel, minerals, and wet sand aromas. The wine has a lot of sour cherries on the palate with a long finish complimented by the soft tannins. This winery has taken huge steps forward with each vintage.

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If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Balkan wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in this article are personal opinions and are not associated with any sponsors or business promotions.

The post A Night of Worldly Wines appeared first on Wine Travel.

Taste the best wines of North Macedonia at Skopje Wine Salon – Vinodonia. 

Chateau Kamnik Winery: The Collectible Wines of North Macedonia

Founded in 2004, Chateau Kamnik has grown to become the leading wine brand of North Macedonia. The Chateau Kamnik estate is in the Vardar River Valley, just outside the city of Skopje. The property consists of a winery, 15 hectares of vineyards, a hotel, and a restaurant called The Hunter’s Lodge Kamnik. The vines are planted at more than 300 meters in elevation.

Read: Visit Report by Matthew Horkey.

Watch: Wine Tasting at Chateau Kamnik in Skopje, North Macedonia

Chateau Kamnik works with many varieties including Arinarnoa, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Chardonnay, Grenache Blanc, Merlot, Montepulciano, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Temjanika (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains), and Vranec. The portfolio is always changing and always has something new and exciting to offer.

Exotic Wine Travel’s Recommendations: Chateau Kamnik Ten Barrels Syrah, Chateau Kamnik Merlot Single Vineyard, and Chateau Kamnik Chardonnay Barrel Fermented

Shop or find Chateau Kamnik wines at wineandmore.com

Watch: Vertical Tasting of Chateau Kamnik Cabernet Sauvignon at Skopje Wine Salon – Vinodonia 2016 

Stobi Winery: The Best Wines at the Best Prices

Located in Gradsko, next to the ancient city of Stobi, Stobi Winery was established in 2009. The winery produces around 4.5 million bottles every year and maintains good quality across the board, along with a few outstanding bottlings. The portfolio is segmented into four categories: premium, classic, elite, and traditional. The vineyards are located in the Tikveš wine region.

Watch: Wine Travel in The Tikveš Valley, North Macedonia

The grapes planted include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Graševina, Merlot, Muscat Ottonel, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Rkatsiteli, Smederevka, Syrah, Vranec, Žilavka, and Zupljanka. We’re particularly fond of the premium line wines as they offer great quality-to-price ratios. When visiting the winery, do not miss the chance of having a meal at its restaurant where all Stobi’s wines are available by the glass.

Exotic Wine Travel’s Recommendations: Stobi Vranec Veritas, Stobi Aminta, and Stobi Verdot

Watch: Tasting of Stobi Winery’s Premium Wines at Skopje Wine Salon – Vinodonia 2016

Tikveš Winery: From Basic to Classic

Established in 1885 and boasting an annual production size of 20 million liters, Tikveš Winery is the oldest and largest winery in North Macedonia. The winery owns about 1,000 hectares of vineyards and also purchases grapes from other growers. In 2010, Tikveš Winery started releasing premium, single-vineyard wines.

Exotic Wine Travel’s Recommendations: Tikveš Bela Voda Red and Tikveš Barovo Red

Watch: Introducing Tikveś Winey’s Bela Voda and Stobi Winery’s Syrah Barrique

You May Also Enjoy
Vranac Without Borders: 16 Wines to Try
Wine Expert in North Macedonia: Ivana Simjanovska

All photos courtesy of Skopje Wine Salon – Vinodonia.

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Three Wineries in North Macedonia to Check Out appeared first on Wine Travel.

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The dark-skinned grape Vranac (pronounce Vrah-nahts) is largely believed to be indigenous to Montenegro but also found in the surrounding areas such as Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Vranac usually delivers wines that are deeply colored with juicy acidity. The best examples of Vranac can have mid- to long- term aging potential.

Vranac has a clonal relationship with Kratošija—also known as Tribidrag, Crljenak Kaštelanski, Primitivo, and Zinfandel. The name Vranac translates to “black stallion”. True to its name, many producers say that cultivating this grape is akin to taming a strong and wild mammal. The shoots grow vigorously, and the vines produce a lot of berries. As such, extensive pruning is required to reduce the crop in order to improve wine quality. In the cellar, acidity is a challenge, making it hard to produce a balanced Vranac wine.

 

As a flagship grape of Montenegro, it should be no surprise that the country’s biggest winery, Plantaže Winery, has over 1,600 hectares of Vranac planted. These vines are used to supply more than half of the winery’s nearly 2,000,000-liter annual production. However, it is North Macedonia—where the grape is spelled “Vranec” (pronounce Vrah-nehts)—that has the most Vranac plantings in the world. Vranac is also widely cultivated in Eastern Herzegovina, where it is sometimes made into high-quality red wine. The grape is also planted in southern Croatia, and it is mostly used for blending and making bulk wine; although a few producers, like Vinarija Grabovac, can make some commendable examples.

We’ve come across two general styles of Vranac during our research trips. The first has high extraction, dark fruit flavors, and plenty of oak. This style is the most prevalent in North Macedonia and Eastern Herzegovina. For wine lovers who enjoy rich Californian and Australian reds, this style of Vranac might appeal to them. The second is widespread throughout Montenegro. It’s juicier and more red fruit-driven than the first style. This style of Vranac can taste similar to some of the reds from southern Italy, which is across the Adriatic Sea from Montenegro. This is the style that we prefer although there are noteworthy examples of both styles from all of these Vranac-producing countries.

Here are 16 Vranac/Vranec blends and varietal wines to try.

Vranac from Bosnia-Herzegovina

• Tvrdoš Monastery Vranac 2013

Tvrdoš is a Serbian Orthodox monastery located in the Trebinje Valley in Eastern Herzegovina. The monastery has a rich history that dates back to the 15th century. The Tvrdoš Monastery Vranac is its flagship wine. Elevated acidity combined with the flavor profile makes the wine redolent of a tart, forest berry pie (a freshly baked one no less). It is important to note that there are significant vintage variations for this bottling: we’ve tasted several outstanding vintages of this wine and a few less so. As it seems, the challenge is having a good fruit-acid balance.

• Vukoje Vranac Rezerva 2010

The Vukoje Winery is widely considered to be the finest producer in Herzegovina. It makes several Vranac-based wines. The Vukoje Vranac Reserve is a polished interpretation. The blackberry-dominating profile is brightened by a blueberry hint, along with notes of chocolate milk and freshly tilled soil. A medium-bodied wine with soft and sweet tannins. The acidity is slightly elevated, and it has enough extract to age well in the medium term. This would make an impressive first impression for people who are new to Vranac.

Vranec from North Macedonia

• Brušani Vranec Barrique 2011

Orce Dimitrievski makes a mere few thousand bottles of Vranac and Stanušina in the basement of his home. He uses solely the grapes from his family’s vineyards in the southern part of North Macedonia. Orce loves Chateau Musar (Lebanon) and tries to make Vranac in the same style and with the same philosophy. The result is Brušani Vranec Barrique, a wine that is wildly expressive on the nose, with notes of dark chocolate bar, leather, plum jam, and dark berries. The vanilla flavor is quite pronounced on the palate, but otherwise, the oak integration is applaudable. It’s round in the mouth with some tannic strength that adds to the length. This wine will need more time to stretch out before revealing its full potential.

• Brzanov Vranec Elixir 2012

Brzanov is another small winery, which is a rarity in North Macedonia. The Elixir line includes the reserve wines of Brzanov. This is a big and powerful wine at over 17% alcohol; the alcohol is fairly integrated. Bouquet of charred wood, chocolate, blueberry, and tangy berry pie. The palate is dominated by rich texture, dark fruit flavors, and pronounced acidity. The slightly grippy end-palate adds a welcoming facet to the wine. 

• Chateau Kamnik Terroir Vranec Grand Reserva 2012

Chateau Kamnik wines available at wineandmore.com

This is one of the two “Grand Reserva” wines made by Chateau Kamnik, the most famous and respected producers in North Macedonia. A trip to the country is incomplete without a visit to Chateau Kamnik. The Chateau Kamnik Terroir Vranec Grand Reserva is made from late-harvest Vranec grapes. Dense and concentrated at 16.2% alcohol, the wine has an inky purple hue and is extremely viscous. The bouquet is significantly more robust and complex than other Vranec wines, with notes of berry jam, sour plum, and white flower. On the palate, it appears fresher and chirpier than on the nose, with a spike of blueberry flavor, balanced acidity, and tannins that are young but round. The alcohol is nicely supported.

• Popova Kula Vranec Perfect Choice 2013

Located in the Demir Kapija village, the Popova Kula property comprises a winery, hotel, and restaurant. The Popova Kula Vranec Perfect Choice shows notes of plum, leather, pepper, and earth. The enamel-eating acidity would appeal to those who enjoy highly acidic and tart red wines.

• Stobi Vranec Veritas 2011

Located next to the ancient city of Stobi, Stobi Winery produces close to five million bottles of wine every year and maintains good quality across the board, along with a few outstanding bottlings. The Stobi Vranec Veritas is a beautiful wine made from 100% Vranec. Deeply colored, viscous, and intense but not overbearing, this example stands out from the rest because of its brightness. The acidity is high but integrated. The tannins are grippy, and the finish is long and polished.

• Tikveš Barovo Red 2013

Founded in 1885, Tikveš is the oldest winery in Southeast Europe. The Tikveš Barovo Red is a reserve bottling. A blend of 50% Vranec and 50% Kratošija (Zinfandel), the berries are sourced from vineyards in the abandoned village of Barovo. The bouquet shows chocolate, dark fruit, caramel, and pepper. The palate is rich and bold with red fruit and dak fruit. The long and spicy finish makes this wine a notch above most Vranec wines. The Barovo Red has been one of our favorite North Macedonian wines year after year.

• Tikveš Bela Voda Red 2013

Another reserve red wine from Tikveš Winery, the Tikveš Bela Voda Red is a blend of 50% Vranec and 50% Plavac Mali. The berries for Bela Voda are sourced from the village of the same name. This is a dense, rich and structured wine with broad shoulders. Flavors of tobacco, chocolate, dark fruit, cedar, and spice. The tannins are round and chewy. The finish shows length and clarity. In a way, this reminds us of a Chateauneuf du Pape. We can never decide if we like the Tikveš Barovo Red or the Tikveš Bela Voda Red more. (For wine label, refer to the photo above)

Vranac from Montenegro

• Buk Vranac 2012

The Buk’s vineyards are located in Crmnica, an area surrounded by mountains and rumored to be the birthplace of Vranac. This wine has interesting notes for a Vranac wine: on the nose, it’s smoky and gamey, with additional red-fruit and blackberry expressions on the palate. The integrated acidity accentuates the impression of an easy-drinking red wine with some bite.

• Krgović Arhonto Vranac Private Reserve 2012

Krgović is a producer that has impressed us with their entire lineup. The Krgović Arhonto Vranac Private Reserve is a straight-up delicious Vranac but not short of complexity. Notes of smoked meat, red fruit, pepper, and a hint of vanilla cream—with the fruitiness playing dominance on the palate.

• Milović Status Barrique 2007

Milović Winery is located in southern Montenegro, near Albania.  This premium Vranac bottling by the winery offers a quintessential “barrique-style” Vranac with flavors of caramel chocolate, forest berries, and black pepper on a medium body.

• Lipovac Amfora Tellus 2015

Lipovac is a new winery in Montenegro, and it has already received some international recognition. The Lipovac Amfora Tellus is made from 100% Vranac grapes. Fermentation, maceration, and aging one year) all happen in amphorae. This example of Vranac shows an unadulterated expression. There’s a sense of wildness in the flavor profile: forest berries, leaf pile, and lots of underlying earthiness. The acidity is juicy and the tannins are ripe and chewy. It’s rare to find a serious, structured and well-made Vranac that hasn’t undergone oak-aging. A fantastic proof that Vranac does not need to be “tamed” by oak to achieve complexity or polish. What an outstanding effort from a young winery.

• Plantaže Vranac Premijer 2009

Aged for four years in a combination of oak casks and steel tanks, and then three more years in the bottle. The Plantaže Vranac Premijer has a magnificent scent: mixed berry pie, violet, cedar, and a hint of cocoa powder. Tangy and juicy with the acidity under control. The silky mouthfeel is accompanied by a firm structure and a persistent finish. The tannins are buried by the intense fruit notes, while the oak impact is remarkably integrated. This is the top bottling of Plantaže and our favorite example of Vranac. We simply can’t get enough of this wine’s extraordinary balance and ampleness.

• Sjekloća Crmnički Vranac 2008

The Sjekloća Winery is the first registered private winery in Montenegro and produces only a few thousand bottles every year. Some of their vines are over 100 years old. The Sjekloća Crmnički Vranac is a blend of Vranac and a small amount of Kratošija (Zinfandel). A rich and full-bodied wine with a balanced interplay between the fruity and savory characteristics. The oak impact is coming together well at this age, and the wine is tasting surprisingly fresh for its age. This wine is absolutely worth seeking out.

Serbian Vranac

• Jović Vranac 2011

Jović is the name to know if you’re looking for Vranac wine in Serbia. A red fruit-driven wine with a good mid-palate attack. The acidity is integrated and controlled. Quite different in style from other Vranac wines, this plush and fruit-forward wine shows high drinkability.

• Aleksić Armanet 2011

Made by a winery in southern Serbia with grapes from North Macedonia, the Aleksić Armanet offers flavors of chocolate, cherry, plum, and raisin on a full body powered by 15% alcohol and biting tannins. Everything seems to come in jumbo size here, but nothing seems gratuitous. This will appeal to lovers of fruit bombs.

The finest selection of

Croatian, Serbian and Macedonian 

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    Do you want to try Balkan wines?    

If you’re looking to savor the exquisite flavor of Balkan wines, look no further than wineandmore.com With an abundance of options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

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Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

You May Also Enjoy

• Three Macedonian Wineries of Note
• Vinodonia Skopje Wine Salon Impressions
• Macedonian Wine Expert: Ivana Simjanovska
• Dušan Jelić: A Perspective on Balkan Wine

– Cover photo by Sunshine Soon, CC By 2.0.
– This article is based on our own opinions and is not associated with sponsorship or business promotions of any kind.

The post Vranac Without Borders: 16 Wines to Try appeared first on Wine Travel.

After a whirlwind, two-month period launching our book Uncorking the Caucasus in Georgia and Armenia, we decided it was time to leave the region. Winter was starting in Tbilisi and the cold weather came quickly, so we jumped on a plane and headed to the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), or Macedonia for short. We had reason to go back to this tiny Balkan country; there was a special event taking place.

Downtown Skopje, Macedonia, the site of Vinodonia Skopje Wine Salon 2016.

Our friend Ivana Simjanovska was instrumental in putting together the first Vinodonia Skopje Wine Salon. We wanted to show Ivana support for all of the hard work that she put into making this idea a reality. The Vinodonia Skopje Wine Salon was a well-organized tasting of nearly 20 Macedonian wineries, in addition to several other wineries from Serbia, Slovenia, and Italy. The Wine Salon was held on the weekend of November 11 & 12, 2016 at the Mariott Hotel in downtown Skopje.

The main room at the Vinodonia Skopje Wine Salon.

It was a small but fantastic show. We had traveled through Macedonia earlier in 2016 so most of the wines were familiar to us. At the Vinodonia Skopje Wine Salon, we got a chance to taste some new vintages and discover a few wines that we previously missed. The main ballroom was bustling but small enough to taste at every booth without much hassle.

Saša Špiranec and Igor Lukovic leading the workshop on Balkan indigenous varieties.

Master classes were conducted on the same floor during the event. They were the highlight of the Vinodonia Skopje Salon for us.
 

Indigenous Balkan Grape Varieties

This was a highly educational workshop about Stanušina from Macedonia, Prokupac from Serbia, and Plavac Mali from Croatia. Each grape was presented by a renowned wine writer of the same country of origin as the grape. Ivana Simjanovska presented two Stanušina wines, Igor Luković had four examples of Prokupac, and Saša Špiranec showed three wines made from Plavac Mali.

The first two glasses in the upper left are Stanušina. The next four moving left to right are Prokupac, and the final three on the lower right are Plavac Mali (one glass of Plavac Mali is cut off). Note the color differences between the wines, especially the much darker Plavac Mali.

Stanušina is a Macedonian variety with a clouded history. It produces lightly colored and low in tannins wine with medium-level alcohol, which reminds us of a much softer version of Grenache. There are only two producers making Stanušina wine commercially at the point of writing. Hopefully, this grape gains more traction as a worthy variety that produces elegant, lighter red wines; this would be a good contrast to most of the reds coming from Macedonia, which are ripe and massive.

Prokupac hails from southern Serbia. It is an ancient grape variety with some ties to the grape Kadarka. It is Charine’s favorite grape from Serbia and it’s capable of making serious wine. The best examples we tasted were from the Župa valley where fruit is sourced from old bush vines. We’ve had many different styles of wine made from this variety. When done well, it can taste like an imaginary cross between Rhône Syrah and Pinot Noir. It is a grape that wine nerds should definitely seek out.

Plavac Mali is Croatia’s flagship red grape. It is the offspring of the original Zinfandel (Tribidrag/Crljenak Kaštelanski in Croatian) and another local grape called Dobričič. We know this grape very well. At its best, the wine can have luscious notes of red fruit, perfume, and earthiness. At its worst, it can taste moldy, overripe, and rustic. The wine has the potential to make incredible wines but you have to sift through a lot of uninspiring examples in Croatia to come across the great ones.

EXOTIC WINE TRAVEL’S PICKS

• Brušani Stanushina 2013

Light brick red in color with a nose of ripe cherry pie, clay, and cranberry juice. Flavors of red cherry, dirt, minerals can be felt on the palate with some light tannins. It is very complex for such a light red wine with tight tannins. The production is tiny and the winemaker finds his inspiration from Chateau Musar, so expect to find some volatile acidity and dirtiness in this wine. Still, the minerality of the wine is undeniably appealing. 

• Ivanović Prokupac 2015

Dragoslav “Gaga” Ivanović is a legend in South Serbia. When we were traveling through the country, someone referred to Gaga as a “Zen Master”. This is a blend of 85% Prokupac, 7.5% Merlot, and 7.5% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is dark purple in color with dark plum, blue fruit, and brown spice notes on the nose. The palate is rich with flavors of earth and dark fruit while staying tangy and acidic, with some tannic tug. A wine that is pleasurable now but is definitely worthy of aging. 

• Budimir Prokupac Boje Lila 2009 

Find at wineandmore.com

This is the third time we’re tasting this wine. The first time we tasted it, our initial impressions were very good but not exceptional. However, this time it really impresses us. Budimir is the only winery in Serbia to have their wines scored by Robert Parker.

This is 100% Prokupac, aged for five years before release. The dominant flavors are of earth, perfume, flower, and herb held together by a blackberry core. Good texture and a silky smooth finish.

• Miloš Stagnum 2007

Find Miloš Stagnum here.

One of Croatia’s cult wines, made from 100% Plavac Mali. Frano Miloš makes a range of varietal wines from Plavac Mali. He farms organically, employs natural yeasts, utilizes spontaneous fermentation, and believes in long aging. The 2007 is the current release. It has a nose of dried cherry, leather, rubber, mineral, and earth. On the palate, flavors of tangy cherry, leather, tar, and rubber emerge with nice acidity. The wine has rich flavors and is a throwback to the old-school style of winemaking.

Vertical Tasting of Chateau Kamnik Ten Barrels Cabernet Sauvignon 2004-2015

We visited Chateau Kamnik in April 2016 and tasted through their entire portfolio. A link to the article based on our initial visit is at the bottom of the page.

The Ten Barrels line from Chateau Kamnik consists of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah; the Syrah range is excellent as well. As the name suggests, there are only ten barrels of each wine made in a good year.

Macedonia receives nearly 300 days of sunshine each year. The country is at the confluence of Mediterranean and Continental climates which bodes well for grape growing. The thriving red grape is Vranec, but there is potential for many other red grapes to do well.

Eight vintages of Chateau Kamnik Ten Barrels Cabernet Sauvignon. spanning from 2004-2015.

With the high amount of sunny days paired with long, dry autumns in Macedonia, it’s not surprising to see many wineries with plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon. In this vertical tasting, we got a chance to taste eight vintages: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015.

The early vintages were balanced and had developed nicely. After 2009, the alcohol levels started rising and the wines showed riper fruit flavors and more oak. The wines of 2011 and 2013 were too ripe and big for us—that’s not to say that they are bad wines, it’s just a matter of preference. The 2015 vintage was a barrel sample and it showed a surprising amount of balance despite clocking in at 15.3 % ABV. The 2015 could shape out to be the best wine of the flight in the years ahead.

EXOTIC WINE TRAVEL’S PICKS

Find Chateau Kamnik wines at wineandmore.com

• Chateau Kamnik Cabernet Sauvignon Ten Barrels 2006

Clocking in at 14.1 ABV, this wine is an absolute beauty. The wine has bright cherry, tomato leaf, sweet tobacco, and rubber. The notes on the nose are very focused. The palate is full of sour cherry, sweet tobacco, and mint. It is wonderfully balanced, refined, structured, and delicious. This is great wine, period.

• Chateau Kamnik Cabernet Sauvignon Ten Barrels 2007

At first, Matt detested this nose but it kept revealing more secrets as it opened up. Charine loved this from the start. The nose is full of sweet tobacco, crushed flowers, black licorice, and potpourri. The palate is dark and complex with black licorice, incense, potpourri, and black fruit. It is nice in a different way than you would expect from Cabernet Sauvignon. This vintage has developed more tertiary (aging) notes than the 2006 vintage, which is interesting. 

• Chateau Kamnik Cabernet Sauvignon Ten Barrels 2009

A higher alcohol wine at 14.7 ABV and has vanilla on the nose at first but opens with rubber, cherry juice, and brown sugar. The palate is full of black cherry, pencil lead, spice, and smooth tannins but the body is big and strong. This is big and fruit-forward but not overly bruising. 

At this point in the tasting, we could sense the new vintage was becoming bigger and the alcohol level rising.

Stobi Winery Private Reserve Wines

The last masterclass of the salon was by Stobi. This winery is relaunching their top wines under the label Private Reserve. Stobi produces close to 4.5 million liters of wine each year; all are bottled wine. The winery is in central Macedonia, next to the ancient Roman city of Stobi, a well-preserved site. The peacock on the Stobi label is taken from a mosaic found in the ancient city.

The Stobi Private Reserve Line.

We visited the winery and superb restaurant in the Spring of 2016. Anyone who visits Macedonia should eat at the Stobi restaurant! The wines of Stobi are very impressive, especially for such a big-production winery. All of their wines, including the basic one-liter bottles, are of good quality. The top wines are well made and of screaming values. The Vranec Veritas 2011 has received 90 points from Wine Enthusiast and is listed on Wine-Searcher at 17.99 USD.

The Stobi Private Reserve Line.

The problems that plague many Macedonian wines include flavors that are too ripe, over-extraction, and poor oak management. These are not problems at Stobi. Balance is displayed in these Stobi Private Reserve wines—a rarity in a country where wines routinely reach 15-17% ABV. There are no blockbusters in the Stobi portfolio (yet) but all of their wines are very good at fair prices.

EXOTIC WINE TRAVEL’S PICKS

• Stobi Acacia 2013

Made from 100% Chardonnay. This wine is aged for eight months in Acacia and French oak. It has a nice dandelion color and the nose is very pleasant with yellow flower, pear, melon, and crushed white flowers. The palate is similar to the nose with a touch of pineapple. This is crisp and delicious for a wine aged in wood. Easy to understand and satisfying.

• Stobi Axios 2013

Made of 100% Merlot. The wine is aged 18 months in oak and is full of chocolate, pencil lead, and plum. The palate adds flavors of earth, pepper, capsicum, and slate. It tastes a lot like a lean, right bank Bordeaux. A well made and easy to drink wine.

• Stobi Aminta 2013

A blend of 34% Vranec, 33% Merlot, and 33% Cabernet Sauvignon. This spends 24 months in oak and has a nose full of chalk, red fruit, chocolate, and herbs. The palate is tangy with red and black fruit, blueberry, mineral, and a nice mid-palate spike. The wine is delicious, unique, yet strangely familiar. 

Thanks to Vinodonia Skopje Wine Salon

We would like to extend a special thank you to Ivana Simjanovska and the team at Vinodonia. They provided us passes to the event and workshops. It was a fun event and we hope to make it to another one in the coming years.

We interviewed Ivana Simjanovska about Macedonian wine on our website in a previous article. You can learn more about Vinodonia on their website. We’ve also written an in-depth piece about the wines of Chateau Kamnik.

The finest selection of

Croatian, Macedonian

and Serbian wines

available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Croatian, Macedonian or Serbian wines?    

If you’re looking to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian, Macedonian or Serbian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With an abundance of options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

You May Also Enjoy: 
Barovo Tikveš: World Class Wine from Macedonia
10 Plavac Mali Wines to Try (Besides Dingač And Postup)

Disclosure: We were given complimentary passes to the Vinodonia Skopje Wine Salon. However, the ideas expressed in this article are personal opinions and not associated with any other sponsors or business promotions.

The post Vinodonia Skopje Wine Salon Impressions appeared first on Wine Travel.

In the past, North Macedonia was a major wine-producing country and accounted for around two-thirds of the wine production in Yugoslavia. Today, North Macedonia has around 33,500 hectares of vineyards area, with 70% of the grapes being used to produce 120 million liters of wine every year—more than half of the production is sold as bulk wine.

Walking past a long line of oak vats before arriving at the tasting room of Tikveš winery.

The Tikveš winery is the biggest wine producer in North Macedonia and Southeast Europe. Established in 1885, the Tikveš winery is named after a wine district of the same name. The winery produces over 20 million liters of wine every year. In 2010, the Tikveš winery started releasing premium single-vineyard wines.

Here’s a look at the Tikveś Valley in North Macedonia.

Exotic Wine Travel’s Choice: Tikveš Barovo 2012

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate scored a barrel sample of this wine 91-93 points.  The Tikveš winery is one of the handful of wineries in ex-Yugoslavia to have received scores from Wine Advocate.

Made from the grapes planted in Barovo, a small and abandoned village in the south of the country—which is a common sight in the country as many people leave the countryside to look for jobs in the city or in other countries—the Tikveš Barovo 2012 is a blend of 65% Kratošija and 35% Vranec. Kratošija is also known as Crljenak Kaštelanksi and Tribidrag in Croatia, Primitivo in southern Italy, and Zinfandel in many parts of the world. Vranec is indigenous to Montenegro, but North Macedonia has the greatest hectares of planting. Its name translates to “black stallion”, which is in reference to the grape’s wildness and potency. Winemakers often say they must tame the beast in the grape in order to make a fine Vranec wine.

The Tikveš Barovo 2012 tastes a lot like a wilder Ridge Lytton Springs (Zinfandel-based wine from California). Rich and supple mouthfeel, prominent tension, and suitable acidity. People who like big, fruit-forward wines will really enjoy this. This is the epitome of North Macedonian wine—plenty of ripe black fruit flavors and powerful bouquet packed behind a richly coloured facade.

The Tikveš Barovo is available in the USA at ~USD20. This is a steal and can be a major talking point at dinner parties.

The finest selection of

Macedonian

wines available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Macedonian wines?    

If you’re looking to savor the exquisite flavor of Macedonian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With an abundance of options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

You May Also Enjoy

• North Macedonian Wine: Tikveš Bela Voda and Stobi Syrah: Watch Video on YouTube
• Report: Vinodonia Skopje Wine Salon
• Ivana Simjanovska: North Macedonian Wine Expert
•  

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Tikveš Barovo: World-Class Wine from North Macedonia appeared first on Wine Travel.

Macedonia, the country, is not the same as the Macedonia region in Northern Greece. This independent country has a long history of winemaking dating back to the 13th century BC. It sits in a magical area for viticulture. The country’s location is at the confluence of Mediterranean and Continental climates. When Macedonia was part of the former Yugoslavia, it produced more than half of the Yugoslavian wine. Today, almost all of the production in Macedonia is dedicated to red wine.

Macedonia was on our checklist for the three-month tasting trip through the ex-Yugoslavian countries. We began the trip in Serbia, which is dominated by small wine producers—the opposite of Macedonia. Many Serbs still have the impression that most Macedonian wine is bulk, inexpensive, industrial wine. However, when we started making our way south in Serbia, several Serbian winemakers said, “You must try Chateau Kamnik.” 

Most of Macedonia’s wineries are huge. A medium sized winery in the country pumps out 4.5 million liters (6 million bottles of 0.75L) of wine per year. The largest winery, Tikveś, produces 20 million liters of wine per year. Chateau Kamnik is nowhere near that range. It is considered a boutique winery producing under 100,000 liters per year. They are concerned with making high- quality wine. Chateau Kamnik is just outside Skopje, nestled high on a hill overlooking the city. The property features the winery, a hotel, and a wonderful game meat restaurant named The Hunter’s Lodge Kamnik. The restaurant has a diverse range of meats from hedgehog to venison. We stayed one night on our own dime and enjoyed both the hotel and the restaurant, which serves many of Kamnik’s wines by the glass.

Now onto the wines, which are wonderful. The Skopje wine-growing region of Macedonia has what is considered as a continental climate. However, the summers are long and hot with a low amount of rain. The region also receives anywhere from 270 to 300 sunny days per year –  a common theme in Macedonia. They are big, rich, flavorful wines. They are Robert Parker’s darling wines: big fruit, rich texture, and high alcohol.

The tasting room is beautiful, with 360-degree views over Skopje and the surrounding mountains. The archive wines are held in a large, all-glass enclosed room. The owner really invested in the presentation of the wines and the tasting room. The room is very comfortable and can accommodate large groups. The bottles are heavy, high-quality glass. Chateau Kamnik uses American and French oak barrels.

We tasted a selection of white wines from the tanks including Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, but it was at the start of our visit so we didn’t get to take notes on them. The following wines were tasted from freshly opened bottles.

Chateau Kamnik wines available for purchase at wineandmore.com

EXOTIC WINE TRAVEL’S TASTING NOTES

(Wines Tasted on April 5, 2016)

• Chateau Kamnik Temjanika 2013

Temjanika is a type of Muscat that Serbia claims as its own. The grape grows abundantly in Macedonia and produces much bigger wines than in Serbia because of the high number of sunny days. This has a nose of sweet white flower, lemon, and stone. On the palate, it’s full-bodied with an off-dry feel showing flavors of lemon, wet stone, and mineral. The Chateau Kamnik Temjanika 2013 almost has a lemon spritzer feel in the mouth. A very interesting white wine.

• Chateau Kamnik Chardonnay 2013

Barrel fermented and matured for 9 months in oak. The Chateau Kamnik Chardonnay 2013 is incredibly rich, buttery, and viscous. The nose has melon, graham cracker, pear, and vanilla notes. The mouth is full of creamy butter, vanilla, and oak. It is not a fruit-forward white. This is very similar to a big, oaky Chardonnay from California.

• Chateau Kamnik Winemaker’s Selection 2014 

A blend of 50% Vranec, 40% Merlot, and 20% Carmenere. Chateau Kamnik Winemaker’s Selection is the basic red wine in the portfolio. It doesn’t skimp on quality but also doesn’t hold a candle to the reserve and grand reserve red wines. It is not aged in oak. Vranac is indigenous to Montenegro and produces wines of high alcohol and acidity. It has become the flagship of grape of Macedonia, where they spell it as “Vranac” with an “a”, and not “Vranec” with an “e”. This wine has a nose of chocolate, plum, raspberry, and mushroom. The palate is fruity, full of plum & raspberry. The wine ends with a minty finish and is guided by the soft tannins. The Winemaker’s Selection is much leaner than the other red wines by Kamnik.

• Chateau Kamnik Cuvee Prestige 2013 

A blend of 69% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 13% Vranec. This is the point in the portfolio where the wines start to become really serious. It is aged for seven months in new and used oak. The nose is full of blackberry, concord jam, and dirt. The palate has black fruit, pepper, and bell pepper with ripe, chewy tannins. Chateau Kamnik Cuvee Prestige 2013  is an absolutely delicious wine that toes the delicate line of keeping Old and New World fans happy.

• Chateau Kamnik Ten Barrels Syrah 2011

This is a reserve wine that took home a plethora of gold medals from various international competitions. It is aged for over 20 months in new oak and has a brick red color. The nose is full of rubber, black olive, leather, red fruit, white pepper, and cotton candy. The palate is full of rich blackberry, mint, white pepper. It’s very drinkable with soft tannins. Chateau Kamnik Ten Barrels Syrah 2011 is an absolute beauty of a wine.

• Chateau Kamnik Ten Barrels Syrah 2013

This wine was aged for 23 months in new oak barrels. The nose has blackberry, coconut, pepper, rubber, and black olive notes. The palate is fruit-forward without being too jammy. There is black fruit, pepper, and round tannins. We prefer the 2011 vintage, but this wine has the stuffing to be just as great.

• Chateau Kamnik Ten Barrels Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

This is another reserve wine that spends a whopping 31 months in new oak. It is high in alcohol at 15.3%. The red-brown color is absolutely beautiful. The nose has tons of rubber, violet, clove, blackberry, and licorice. The aromas carry over to the mouthfeel in addition to mint, cherry, and blackberry notes. The Chateau Kamnik Ten Barrels Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 has extremely fierce tannins and needs to be laid down for a few more years.

——————

“As with all these tastings, there are always some stand-outs from little-known corners of the wine world; the sort of wines which really excite the judges when its revealed a high score was awarded not just to a winery few, if any, had heard of, but to a wine region that was new to them. Among these was the Skopje district, which is located in Macedonia, and source of the ‘Ten Barrels Cabernet Sauvignon’ from Château Kamnik, which was the other entry to achieve the top title of Master this year, such was the quality of the wine for the price – it costs less than £20.”

– Source: The Drinks Business

——————

• Chateau Kamnik Single Vineyard Merlot 2010

Some of the regional competitions named this wine the ‘Sassicaia of the Balkans’. This is a reserve wine and spends 18 months in new oak and is an absolutely fantastic wine. The nose is full of black fruit, strawberry, mint, stone, eucalyptus, pepper, and mineral. An extremely complex nose. The palate is silky smooth with notes of game, black and red berries, and mint. The Chateau Kamnik Single Vineyard Merlot 2010 is a  wine that will please many people.

• Chateau Kamnik Terroir Grand Reserva Vranec 2012

This is one of two “Grand Reserva” wines made by Kamnik. 100% Vranec, the grapes were picked late and partially dried after harvest. An extremely dense and concentrated wine at 16.2% alcohol. The wine has an inky purple color and extremely viscous in the glass. The nose is full of blue fruit, berry jam, sour plum, and white flower notes. The palate has big blue fruit flavors with balanced acidity and tannins that are round, chewy, and fierce all at the same time. The alcohol is high but is not felt, as this massive wine is put together extremely well. Chateau Kamnik Terroir Grand Reserva Vranec 2012 is a phenomenal wine made from a unique and promising variety.

• Chateau Kamnik Signature Grand Reserva Merlot 2012

The second of the “Grand Reserva” line and equally big at 17.3% alcohol. The color is more brick red as opposed to the opaque, inky Vranec Terroir. The winery labels this as off-dry, but it tastes like a dry wine. The nose has tomato juice, black pepper, brambleberry, and plum notes. The palate is full of pepper, salt, mineral, blackberry jam with fierce tannins and a long end-palate. This wine is so balanced and well made that the high alcohol is again not felt. Chateau Kamnik Signature Grand Reserva Merlot 2012 is massive, rich, and delicious.

• Chateau Kamnik Montepulciano 2013

We noticed at The Hunter’s Lodge restaurant that they had a Montepulciano on the wine list. We did not try it in the winery so we inquired about it. The server told us that it had sold out a long time ago. About one month later in Kotor, Montenegro, we came across a bottle at a restaurant. We ordered it with no hesitation.

A blend of 97% Montepulciano and 3% Vranec. Even though this is one of Chateau Kamnik’s entry-level reds, it doesn’t suffer from any loss of quality. The wine is a massive and jammy interpretation of this Italian grape. The wine is beefed up by a small amount of Vranec in the blend. The nose and palate have identical flavors of dark cherry, dirt, plum, and sweet tobacco. Chateau Kamnik Montepulciano is a wonderful red wine that gives a sample of Chateau Kamnik’s more expensive offerings at a fraction of the price.

The finest selection of

Macedonian

wines available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Macedonian wines?    

If you’re looking to savor the exquisite flavor of Macedonian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With an abundance of options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

You May Also Enjoy

• • Vranac Without Borders: 16 Wines to Try
  • Dušan Jelić: A Perspective on Balkan Wines
  • Ivana Simjanovska: Macedonian Wine Expert (Wine Judge, Wine Writer)
  • Vertical Tasting of Chateau Kamnik’s Cabernet Sauvignon

Cover image courtesy of Chateau Kamnik.
Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Big Macedonian Wines from Chateau Kamnik appeared first on Wine Travel.

One of the many benefits of traveling for wine is the chance to meet talented, passionate people. Ivana Simjanovska is one of those people that we were lucky to connect with. She is the co-author of two North Macedonian wine guidebooks and an international wine judge.

Explore North Macedonian Wine with Ivana Simjanovska

How did you get started with wine?
It began in 2007 when I was working at a multinational company. Many of my colleagues were into food and wine. At first, I gave them recommendations for restaurants in Skopje, and later, recommendations for wine. Soon after that, a few of us started a “Macedonian Wine Club” where we would feature different Macedonian wineries every month, and I was blown away by the level of interest in our monthly tastings.

Afterwards, my colleague had the idea to write a book about Macedonian wines. I said yes on a whim. We traveled to all the wineries in Macedonia and asked them to participate in the book. Everyone said yes. My colleague and I self-funded the whole project. Once we had all the information, in 2011, we published Macedonian Wine Guide, the first book ever written on Macedonian wine.

After publishing the book, I received my first invitation to be a judge at the Balkans Wine Competition, and things took off quickly from there. It helped that, at the time, I was the only one coming from Macedonia and people were eager to learn about our wines. I started to consider myself as a medium to the rest of the world—sharing the renaissance that was happening in Macedonia’s wine industry with people outside the country.

What makes Macedonian wine special?
In terms of wine production, we are humble and ranked somewhere between 25th to 27th in the world. Macedonia has a unique climate where we see at least 270 sunny days every year, coupled with a range of microclimates created by the hills and mountains.

Let’s take Vranec for example, a grape that is not indigenous to Macedonia but we consider it to be our national treasure. It’s planted all over the country but mostly in the Tikves wine district. Vranec is planted in various areas with different microclimates, and the result is different Vranec wines with distinct styles and tons of complexity from one single grape variety.

Macedonia is famous for reds, but there are some notable regional white varieties including Zilavka and Temjanika, which is a sort of Muscat. We are very proud of Temjanika even though Muscat is not in high fashion around the world. Macedonian white wines can be fresh and fruity—ideally to be consumed young. There can also be heavier whites with tropical flavors and high alcohol, although acidity can be a problem.

As for the reds, they are boisterous, spicy, and full-bodied. You can find similarities between our red wines and those from other famous wine regions such as Bordeaux and California.  Those wines may be made from different grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but their quality level and the style are somewhat similar to Macedonian wine.

Most Macedonian wineries are big in production. We’re talking about tens of millions liters per year. Is there hope for small wineries in Macedonia?
Boutique, family wineries are really important to not only the Macedonian wine story but the wine story of any wine country. They are the ones who tell the most compelling wine stories because they have been in the trade for so many years. Unfortunately, they face many challenges today.

First, they don’t receive any subsidy that can help drive their business forward. Second, they are not organized in any kind of association. If only they were unified, they could discuss and solve problems together. Most importantly, they could present their wines together and push the wines forward on the international platform. To this day, the small wineries have tried to promote and find new markets for their wine all in silos.

I am optimistic for the small wineries. The small wineries are not afraid to experiment, which can be expensive and time intensive. They are also trying to mix old winemaking style with the modern ways. Of course, bigger wineries have the means, and sometimes, they experiment this mix of old and new to a certain extent as well; but in my experience, it is the smaller players that are left with no choice but to do something groundbreaking and truly special.

What are some of the top challenges that winemakers and wine professionals face in Macedonia?
The biggest challenge is territorial branding: Macedonia as a country, let alone a wine country, is not well-known worldwide.

The second challenge is finding consistent markets to sell bottled wine. Selling bulk wine is and has been a reality for us in Macedonia; we cannot escape that. But in order to be taken seriously in the world market, it is important to have high-quality, bottled Macedonian wine available worldwide. During the Yugoslavian time, Macedonia was producing two-thirds of the Yugoslavian wine. 98% of that wine was poor-quality bulk wine. That period created a 50-year vacuum in the country’s wine industry. This period has also led to a poor image of Macedonian wine as a whole. In the last ten years, Macedonia literally had to start and grow from ground zero. Thankfully, there has been a big shift from quantity to quality.

Next, it is important to educate people on the wine from our country. France, Italy, and Spain have had their wine on the shelves and constant market presence for a long time. However, people are looking for something new every day. This gives not only Macedonian wine but also Balkan wine a great opportunity to share brand new stories with the wine connoisseurs. Wine history is currently being made here. This is rare in the wine world because history is over and done with in many of the Old World wine countries.

As outlined in your book, there is an appellation system in Macedonia. How is the domestic market reacting to this appellation system?
There are three levels, which I’ve highlighted in my book: Regional Wine, Wine With Controlled Origin, and Wine With Controlled and Guaranteed Origin. I hope we will continue to work on and improve the appellation system. However, as of right now, the domestic market and consumers are not that familiar with the appellations because the majority of them don’t understand them at all. We, the people in the wine industry, need to be better at explaining the importance of this system. If the domestic market understands the system, they’ll feel more empowered to buy and choose high-quality wine.

What are your favorite examples of Macedonian wines?
Let me preface my answer by saying that as someone in the wine industry, my preferences change all the time. I’ll give you my favorites among those that I’ve tasted in the last six months. One thing I’ve noticed is big wineries are making big leaps in their wine quality lately. These wines are listed in no particular order of importance or preference.

1. Tikves Bela Voda Red 2012 (50/50 blend of Vranec and Plavac Mali)
2. Chateau Kamnik Ten Barrels Syrah Reserva 2012
3. Brusani Stanusina 2013
4. Popova Kula Stanusina Rose 2014
5. Stobi Zilavka 2014
6. Chateau Sopot Vranec 2013

Woah. I’m glad that we’ve tasted all of those wines that you mentioned, which means we have achieved a decent impression of Macedonia as a wine country. Moving forward, what do you foresee in the future of Macedonian wine?
I am an optimist. I’ll tell you what I would like to see and what would make me happy. I would like us to conquer new markets. I hope wine export for Macedonia’s bottled wine increases. I hope that the small boutique wineries are encouraged to continue with their fine work because what they do is vital to the Macedonian wine story. I hope that the quality of Macedonian wine continues to improve, especially the wines made from our indigenous varieties. Wines made from local grapes are our prime passport to the international market. Finally, I hope that the wine culture here will continue to grow. We have to appreciate and know what we are drinking and convey that unique Macedonian wine story to the world. The best marketing tactic is word of mouth.

Thank you for your time and insights, Ivana! 

Guide to the Wines of the Republic of Macedonia

You can purchase Ivana’s latest book Guide To The Wines Of The Republic of Macedonia here.

The finest selection of

Balkan wines

available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Macedonian wines?    

If you’re looking to savor the exquisite flavor of Macedonian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With an abundance of options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

You May Also Enjoy

• Three North Macedonian Wineries of Note
• Vinodonia Skopje Wine Salon Impressions
• Tikveš Barovo: World-Class Wine from North Macedonia
• Big North Macedonian Wines from Chateau Kamnik
• Dušan Jelić: A Perspective on Balkan Wine

Note: The Republic of Macedonia officially changed its name to the Republic of North Macedonia in February 2019.

Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in this article are personal opinions and are not associated with any sponsors or business promotions.

The post North Macedonian Wine Expert, Ivana Simjanovska appeared first on Wine Travel.