Macedonian wine
Encyclopedia
The Republic of Macedonia
produces wine
on some 22400 hectares (55,351.6 acre) of vineyards, and the production was 108,100 tonnes in 2008. There are also some additional 30000 hectares (74,131.5 acre) of vineyards dedicated to table grape
s.
The production of red wine dominates the Macedonian wine production, with around 80 per cent.
, Macedonia was a major producer of wine. In the 1980s, it accounted for around two-thirds of the Yugoslav wine production. After the breakup of Yugoslavia, the Macedonian wine production decreased dramatically, from 1.8 million hectoliters in the mid-1990s to 447,000 hl in 2002.
(the most common variety of Macedonia), Kratosija
, Cabernet Sauvignon
and Merlot
. White varieties include Smederevka
, Welschriesling
(usually referred to as Laški Rizling), Chardonnay
, Sauvignon Blanc
and Žilavka
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
produces wine
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
on some 22400 hectares (55,351.6 acre) of vineyards, and the production was 108,100 tonnes in 2008. There are also some additional 30000 hectares (74,131.5 acre) of vineyards dedicated to table grape
Table grape
Table grapes are grapes intended for consumption while they are fresh, as opposed to grapes grown for wine production, juice production, or for drying into raisins....
s.
The production of red wine dominates the Macedonian wine production, with around 80 per cent.
Ancient Macedonia
In the culture of Ancient Macedonia, which covered a larger geographical area than today's Republic of Macedonia, wine played an important role.Yugoslavia and Republic of Macedonia
While part of YugoslaviaYugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
, Macedonia was a major producer of wine. In the 1980s, it accounted for around two-thirds of the Yugoslav wine production. After the breakup of Yugoslavia, the Macedonian wine production decreased dramatically, from 1.8 million hectoliters in the mid-1990s to 447,000 hl in 2002.
Wine regions
Macedonia has three wine-growing regions:- PovardariePovardariePovardarie is a geographic region in the central part of the Macedonia, and includes all of the canyons, mountains and valleys through which the river Vardar flows....
, around the capital SkopjeSkopjeSkopje is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia with about a third of the total population. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic centre...
, centrally located in the country and the most important region. - Pcinja-OsogovoOsogovoOsogovo or Osogovska Planina is a mountain and ski resort between southwestern Bulgaria and northeastern Republic of Macedonia,...
, to the east on the border with BulgariaBulgariaBulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
. - Pelagonija-PologPologPolog also known as the Polog Valley , is located in the north-western part of the Republic of Macedonia near the border with Serbia.It is divided into Upper and Lower Polog...
, around Lake OhridLake OhridLake Ohrid straddles the mountainous border between the southwestern Macedonia and eastern Albania. It is one of Europe's deepest and oldest lakes, preserving a unique aquatic ecosystem with more than 200 endemic species that is of worldwide importance...
, to the west on the border with AlbaniaAlbaniaAlbania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
.
Grape varieties
The grape varieties common in cultivation includes a large proportion of indigenous varieties and varieties common to Central Europe and the Balkans, as well as some international varieties. Red varieties include VranecVranec
Vranec or Vranac is an ancient variety of grape that is indigenous to the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo and Montenegro. Vranec is considered the most important variety of grape in Montenegro and one of the most important in the Republic of Macedonia...
(the most common variety of Macedonia), Kratosija
Kratosija
Kratosija is a red wine grape variety grown in the Tikveš wine-growing region of The Republic of Macedonia. This wine is characterized by an intense ruby-red color and aroma of red berry fruits....
, Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most widely recognized red wine grape varieties. It is grown in nearly every major wine producing country among a diverse spectrum of climates from Canada's Okanagan Valley to Lebanon's Beqaa Valley...
and Merlot
Merlot
Merlot is a darkly blue-coloured wine grape, that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. The name Merlot is thought to derive from the Old French word for young blackbird, merlot, a diminutive of merle, the blackbird , probably from the color of the grape. Merlot-based wines...
. White varieties include Smederevka
Smederevka
Smederevka is a white wine grape variety grown in Smederevo, Serbia and in Tikveš wine-growing region of Macedonia. The variety's name is derived from the name of Serbian city Smederevo...
, Welschriesling
Welschriesling
Welschriesling is an ancient variety of white wine grape, unrelated to the Rhine Riesling, that is grown throughout Central Europe. The origin of Welschriesling is uncertain. The German name "Welschriesling" literally means 'Romanic Riesling', and most of the synonyms in Central Europe are...
(usually referred to as Laški Rizling), Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used to make white wine. It is originated from the Burgundy wine region of eastern France but is now grown wherever wine is produced, from England to New Zealand...
, Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a green-skinned grape variety which originates from the Bordeaux region of France. The grape most likely gets its name from the French word sauvage and blanc due to its early origins as an indigenous grape in South West France., a possible descendant of savagnin...
and Žilavka