The Republic of North Macedonia is a country located in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula in Southeastern Europe. It is quite distinct from modern Greek Macedonia, with which it shares a border of over 160 kilometres (100 miles).
The wine industry is dominated by red wines. Production is centered on two indigenous Grape varieties (Vranac and Kratosija), as well as a few international varieties such as the ubiquitous Bordeaux varieties Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
The main wine-producing regions are Pcinja-Osogovo in the north, Pelagonija-Polog in the south and Povardarie. The republic as a whole has a stable area of 23,000 hectares (56,850 acres) of vineyards and a slightly larger coverage of vines harvested for table grapes.
Although it is a landlocked country (it is separated from the Adriatic Sea by Albania and from the Aegean Sea by Greece), the republic experiences continental and Mediterranean influences on its Climate. Its northeastern corner is separated from the nearest coast by 200 km (125 miles), while Lake Doiran, at its southeastern end, is only 55 km (35 miles) from the Greek coastal city of Thessaloniki, on the Gulf of Thessaloniki.
Along the Albanian border, in the southwest corner of the republic, several large lakes temper the climate. The shelter provided by the local topography combines with other geological factors to create particularly productive agricultural land, especially around the lake towns of Struga and Resen. Grapes play an important role in the local economy and agriculture.
Lake Prespa, which Northern Macedonia shares with Greece and Albania, is the highest tectonic lake in Europe.
Cabernet Franc is one of the oldest red grape varieties in Bordeaux. The Libourne region is its terroir where it develops best. The terroirs of Saint-Emilion and Fronsac allow it to mature and develop its best range of aromas. It is also the majority in many blends. The very famous Château Cheval Blanc, for example, uses 60% Cabernet Franc. The wines produced with Cabernet Franc are medium in colour with fine tannins and subtle aromas of small red fruits and spices. When blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it brings complexity and a bouquet of aromas to the wine. It produces fruity wines that can be drunk quite quickly, but whose great vintages can be kept for a long time. It is an earlier grape variety than Cabernet Sauvignon, which means that it is planted as far north as the Loire Valley. In Anjou, it is also used to make sweet rosé wines. Cabernet Franc is now used in some twenty countries in Europe and throughout the world.
red wines from the region of Macedonia go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, lamb or game (deer, venison) such as recipes of roast beef with caramelized onion, express couscous in a pressure cooker or garbure with duck confit.
Rosa Kruger, a self-styled ‘farm manager’ who is a leading figure in world viticulture and has played a major role in the development of South Africa’s modern-day wine scene, has been announced as recipient of the Decanter Hall of Fame prize for 2022. She is also the first South African to join this exclusive group of wine world stars. This year marks the 39th edition of the award, previously known as Man or Woman of the Year and launched in 1984. Chris Maillard, Decanter’s Edi ...
The largest-ever year for entries, an incredible 18,244 wines were judged at the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards – with just 163 wines awarded a Platinum medal. ‘Winning a Platinum medal is something really exceptional’ said Decanter World Wine Awards Co-Chair Sarah Jane Evans MW. ‘Platinum is like the stratospheric level’ she commented, ‘so it’s really saying to the winemaker: this is a great wine.’ Making up just 0.87% of the total wines tasted at the 2022 c ...
Club dVIN, which launched earlier this year as a global NFT wine club, said members will be given the chance to sign up for a series of trips to Bhutan from late July to late September 2023. Those flying out will be able to ‘snip grapes’ and break ground on the Ser Kem Winery, alongside experiences like river rafting and visiting monasteries, Club dVIN said. ‘If you love wine and adventure, this is an unmatched opportunity to fill your cup with both while taking in the breathtaking beauty of Bhu ...
