Serbian wine
Encyclopedia
There are nearly 70,000 hectares of vineyards in Serbia, producing about 425,000 tons of grapes annually. The majority of production is dedicated to local wineries.
Major varieties include the Belgrade Seedless, Prokupac
, Sauvignon
, "Italian Riesling"
, Cabernet, Chardonnay
, White
and Red Burgundy
, Hamburg, Muscat
, Afus Ali, Vranac, Tamjanika
, Krstač
, Smederevka
, and Dinka
. Rare varieties such as the Muscat Crocant also survive in Serbia.
The harvest season of the grapes is in July-October.
The Serbian wine industry is showing signs of significant growth, with In Vino, an annual international wine festival, held annually in Belgrade
since 2004. Since 2010, an annual international wine fair is held at the Belgrade Fair, named "Beo Wine Fair".
Former Yugoslavia
was among top-ten world wine producing countries: at its peak in 1970s, it produced over 6 million hectolitres annually. However, due to the country's policies and practice in the viticulture, quantity was placed above quality, so many wines were mass-produced in large agricultural combines such as Navip and Rubin
, with low quality control in grape production and winemaking. 1980s saw the sharp decline of production and exports, which continued into 1990s, marked by the Breakup of Yugoslavia and subsequent Serbian economic breakdown.
In 2000s, Serbian winemaking started to recover, but on entirely different basis. Numerous small and medium privately-owned wineries entered the market, often run as family businesses, and with higher regard for quality and taste. Some near-forgotten traditions, such as Bermet
of Sremski Karlovci
, were revived. Economic recovery of the country also contributed to increase of domestic consumption. Wine production in 2004 was 1,550,000 litres. Wine consumption per capita is 16 liters (2006). Still, only 5% of domestic production is exported (2004-2007 data), most of it in neighboring countries, and chiefly in bulk. High-quality and quality wines constitute about 35% of production.
and Tamjanika
. Prokupac is the sort of red wines and was known even in early Middle Ages, while Tamjanika is a Muscat
sort originated from Southern France
, known in Serbia for more than 500 years.
Beside these sorts, today in Serbia are mostly raised Chardonnay
, Sauvignon Blanc
, Rhine
or "Italian" Riesling, Merlot
and Cabernet Sauvignon.
White wines constitute about 64% of production, and red about 36%.
), in the area of Vršac
(100 km on the north-east from Belgrade), on the slopes of Fruška Gora
(80km on the north-west from Belgrade), in the Subotica
area (200 km on the north from Belgrade), Šumadija
(100 km on the south-west from Belgrade) and Župa
(230 km on the south-east from Belgrade). Long lasting tradition of Serbian wine growing in the last 10 years was renewed by numerous private producers that built contemporary cellars and already became well known out of the borders of Serbia.
According to a classification from 1970s, Serbia has nine winemaking regions, each with several subregions:
In light of revival of winemaking industry of Serbia, Serbian Ministry of Agriculture in 2008 launched an initiative for reform of Serbian laws on winemaking, and re-classification of wine regions.
Major varieties include the Belgrade Seedless, Prokupac
Prokupac
Prokupac is a red Serbian wine grape that is often used to produce darkly colored rosé. The grape is noted for the high sugar levels it can achieve prior to harvest and the high levels of alcohol it can produce following fermentation.-Synonyms:...
, Sauvignon
Sauvignon
Sauvignon may refer to:*Sauvignon blanc – a white wine grape*Sauvignon vert – a white wine grape widely planted in Chile. Also a name in California for muscadelle*Sauvignon gris – a pink wine grape*Cabernet sauvignon – a red wine grape...
, "Italian Riesling"
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...
, Cabernet, 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...
, White
Pinot Blanc
Pinot blanc is a white wine grape. It is a point genetic mutation of Pinot noir. Pinot noir is genetically unstable and will occasionally experience a point mutation in which a vine bears all black fruit except for one cane which produced white fruit....
and Red Burgundy
Pinot Noir
Pinot noir is a black wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. The name may also refer to wines created predominantly from Pinot noir grapes...
, Hamburg, Muscat
Muscat (grape and wine)
The Muscat variety of grapes of the species Vitis vinifera is widely grown for wine, raisins and table grapes. Their color ranges from white to near black. Muscat almost always has a pronounced sweet floral aroma. Muscat grapes are grown around the world...
, Afus Ali, Vranac, Tamjanika
Tamjanika
Tamjanika or Temjanika is a type of grape, a variety of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, grown in Serbia and Macedonia. It is named after tamjan , due to intense scent from ripe grapes, which can be sensed several meters away. Berries are small, green, yellow or pink, almost perfect balls...
, Krstač
Krstac
Krstač is an ancient variety of grape that is indigenous to Serbia and Montenegro. A high quality dry white wine is made of it. The wine may be rich, of harmonious bouquet and of light yellow color with 12.5% alcohol.- Synonyms :...
, 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...
, and Dinka
Dinka (grape)
Dinka or Kövidinka is a white Hungarian wine grape grape. There is also significant plantings near the Hungarian border in Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia.-Synonyms:...
. Rare varieties such as the Muscat Crocant also survive in Serbia.
The harvest season of the grapes is in July-October.
The Serbian wine industry is showing signs of significant growth, with In Vino, an annual international wine festival, held annually in Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
since 2004. Since 2010, an annual international wine fair is held at the Belgrade Fair, named "Beo Wine Fair".
History
History of Serbian wine growing is more than 1000 years long. From the first establishment of the Serbian state in 8th and 9th century and especially during the ruling period of Nemanjić dynasty from 11th till the end of 14th century Serbian rulers specially cherished the wine growing culture.Former Yugoslavia
Former Yugoslavia
The former Yugoslavia is a term used to describe the present day states which succeeded the collapse of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia....
was among top-ten world wine producing countries: at its peak in 1970s, it produced over 6 million hectolitres annually. However, due to the country's policies and practice in the viticulture, quantity was placed above quality, so many wines were mass-produced in large agricultural combines such as Navip and Rubin
Rubin
Rubin can refer to the following people:Surnames* Alan Rubin, American musician* Andrejs Rubins* Arthur Rubin , American mathematician...
, with low quality control in grape production and winemaking. 1980s saw the sharp decline of production and exports, which continued into 1990s, marked by the Breakup of Yugoslavia and subsequent Serbian economic breakdown.
In 2000s, Serbian winemaking started to recover, but on entirely different basis. Numerous small and medium privately-owned wineries entered the market, often run as family businesses, and with higher regard for quality and taste. Some near-forgotten traditions, such as Bermet
Bermet
Bermet is a sweet wine that is a specialty of northern Serbia's Fruška Gora wine region, in the Vojvodina province that, while originally produced to be medicinal , is consumed as a regularly...
of Sremski Karlovci
Sremski Karlovci
Sremski Karlovci is a town and municipality in Serbia, in the autonomous province of Vojvodina, situated on the bank of the river Danube, 8 km from Novi Sad...
, were revived. Economic recovery of the country also contributed to increase of domestic consumption. Wine production in 2004 was 1,550,000 litres. Wine consumption per capita is 16 liters (2006). Still, only 5% of domestic production is exported (2004-2007 data), most of it in neighboring countries, and chiefly in bulk. High-quality and quality wines constitute about 35% of production.
Varieties
The eldest authentic grape sorts are considered to be ProkupacProkupac
Prokupac is a red Serbian wine grape that is often used to produce darkly colored rosé. The grape is noted for the high sugar levels it can achieve prior to harvest and the high levels of alcohol it can produce following fermentation.-Synonyms:...
and Tamjanika
Tamjanika
Tamjanika or Temjanika is a type of grape, a variety of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, grown in Serbia and Macedonia. It is named after tamjan , due to intense scent from ripe grapes, which can be sensed several meters away. Berries are small, green, yellow or pink, almost perfect balls...
. Prokupac is the sort of red wines and was known even in early Middle Ages, while Tamjanika is a Muscat
Muscat (grape and wine)
The Muscat variety of grapes of the species Vitis vinifera is widely grown for wine, raisins and table grapes. Their color ranges from white to near black. Muscat almost always has a pronounced sweet floral aroma. Muscat grapes are grown around the world...
sort originated from Southern France
Southern France
Southern France , colloquially known as le Midi is defined geographical area consisting of the regions of France that border the Atlantic Ocean south of the Gironde, Spain, the Mediterranean, and Italy...
, known in Serbia for more than 500 years.
Beside these sorts, today in Serbia are mostly raised 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...
, Rhine
Riesling
Riesling is a white grape variety which originated in the Rhine region of Germany. Riesling is an aromatic grape variety displaying flowery, almost perfumed, aromas as well as high acidity. It is used to make dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling white wines. Riesling wines are usually varietally...
or "Italian" Riesling, 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...
and Cabernet Sauvignon.
White wines constitute about 64% of production, and red about 36%.
Regions
The most important Serbian vineyard areas are situated in Negotinska krajina (250 km in the east from BelgradeBelgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
), in the area of Vršac
Vršac
Vršac is a town and municipality located in Serbia. In 2002 the town's total population was 36,623, while Vršac municipality had 54,369 inhabitants. Vršac is located in the Banat region, in the Vojvodina province of Serbia. It is part of the South Banat District.-Name:The name Vršac is of Serbian...
(100 km on the north-east from Belgrade), on the slopes of Fruška Gora
Fruška Gora
Fruška Gora is a mountain in north Syrmia. Most part of the territory is located within Vojvodina, Serbia, but a smaller part on its western side overlaps the territory of Croatia...
(80km on the north-west from Belgrade), in the Subotica
Subotica
Subotica is a city and municipality in northern Serbia, in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina...
area (200 km on the north from Belgrade), Šumadija
Šumadija
Šumadija is a geographical region in Serbia. The area is heavily covered with forests, hence the name...
(100 km on the south-west from Belgrade) and Župa
Župa
A Župa is a Slavic term, used historically among the Southern and Western branches of the Slavs, originally denoting various territorial and other sub-units, usually a small administrative division, especially a gathering of several villages...
(230 km on the south-east from Belgrade). Long lasting tradition of Serbian wine growing in the last 10 years was renewed by numerous private producers that built contemporary cellars and already became well known out of the borders of Serbia.
According to a classification from 1970s, Serbia has nine winemaking regions, each with several subregions:
- Timok region, in eastern Central SerbiaCentral SerbiaCentral Serbia , also referred to as Serbia proper , was the region of Serbia from 1945 to 2009. It included central parts of Serbia outside of the autonomous provinces of Kosovo and Vojvodina. The region of Central Serbia was not an administrative division of Serbia as such; it was under the...
, around TimokTimok-Places:*Timočka Krajina, a region in Serbia*Timok , a river in Serbia and Bulgaria**Beli Timok, a river in Serbia**Trgoviški Timok, a river in Serbia**Svrljiški Timok, a river in Serbia**Crni Timok, a river in Serbia-Other:...
river valley- Krajina subregion, centered in NegotinNegotinNegotin is a town and municipality in the Bor District of north-eastern Central Serbia. It is situated near the borders between Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria. It is the judicial center of the Bor District. The population of the town is 16,716 while municipality has 36,879.-Name:The etymology of the...
- KnjaževacKnjaževacKnjaževac is a town and municipality situated in the eastern part of Serbia bordering the Republic of Bulgaria and is part of Timočka Krajina region. It is found between the latitudes of 43°20' and 43°45' north and between the longitudes 22°11' and 22°41' east. The town is situated between three...
subregion
- Krajina subregion, centered in Negotin
- NišavaNišavaThe Nišava or Nishava is a river in Bulgaria and Serbia, a right tributary, and with a length of 218 km also the longest one, of the Južna Morava.- Bulgaria :...
-South Morava region in southern Serbia, in valleys of eponymous rivers- AleksinacAleksinacAleksinac is a town which is a center of Aleksinac Municipality, located in the Nišava District of Serbia. According to 2011 census, the town has a population of 16,420 inhabitants, while the municipality has 51,462.-Name:...
subregion - Toplica subregion
- NišNišNiš is the largest city of southern Serbia and third-largest city in Serbia . According to the data from 2011, the city of Niš has a population of 177,972 inhabitants, while the city municipality has a population of 257,867. The city covers an area of about 597 km2, including the urban area,...
subregion - NišavaNišavaThe Nišava or Nishava is a river in Bulgaria and Serbia, a right tributary, and with a length of 218 km also the longest one, of the Južna Morava.- Bulgaria :...
subregion - LeskovacLeskovacLeskovac is a city and municipality in southern Serbia. It is the administrative center of the Jablanica District of Serbia...
subregion - VranjeVranjeVranje is a city and municipality located in southern Serbia. In 2011 the city has total population of 82,782, while the urban area has 54,456...
subregion
- Aleksinac
- West Morava region in central Serbia, along the lower flow of the river
- ČačakCacakČačak is a city in central Serbia. It is the administrative center of the Moravica District of Serbia. Čačak is also the main industrial, cultural and sport center of the district...
subregion - KruševacKruševacKruševac is a city and municipality, and the administrative center of the Rasina District, in central Serbia. According to the 2011 census, the municipality has a population of 127,429, while the town has 57,627....
subregion
- Čačak
- ŠumadijaŠumadijaŠumadija is a geographical region in Serbia. The area is heavily covered with forests, hence the name...
-Great Morava region in central Serbia, the largest one by area- MlavaMlavaThe Mlava is the river in Serbia, 158 km long right tributary of the Danube.- Origin :Mlava originates as the Tisnica, from the Kučaj mountains in eastern Serbia, under the Veliki Krš peak. It flows to the north and curves around the eastern slopes of the mountain Beljanica, through an almost...
subregion - JagodinaJagodinaJagodina is a city and municipality located in central Serbia, 136 km south of Belgrade, on the banks of Belica River. Its name stems from the word for strawberry in Serbian. It is the administrative centre of the Pomoravlje District of Serbia...
subregion - BelgradeBelgradeBelgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
subregion - OplenacOplenacSt. George′s Church knows also as Oplenac Church and Oplenac Mausoleum, is the Mausoleum of the Serbian and Yugoslav Royal House of Karađorđević located on top of the Hill Oplenac in city Topola, Serbia...
subregion
- Mlava
- Pocerina region, in western Serbia, around the mountain of CerCer (mountain)Cer is a mountain in western Serbia, 30 kilometers from Šabac, 100 kilometers west of Belgrade. The highest peak is 689 m high.During World War I, the Battle of Cer was fought on Cer, in which Serbian forces defeated Austria-Hungary....
- SremSremŚrem is a town on the Warta river in central Poland. It has been situated in the Greater Poland Voivodeship since 1999; from 1975 to 1998 it was part of the Poznań Voivodeship...
region, around Fruška GoraFruška GoraFruška Gora is a mountain in north Syrmia. Most part of the territory is located within Vojvodina, Serbia, but a smaller part on its western side overlaps the territory of Croatia...
mountain in the province of VojvodinaVojvodinaVojvodina, officially called Autonomous Province of Vojvodina is an autonomous province of Serbia. Its capital and largest city is Novi Sad... - BanatBanatThe Banat is a geographical and historical region in Central Europe currently divided between three countries: the eastern part lies in western Romania , the western part in northeastern Serbia , and a small...
region, around Vršac MountainsVršac MountainsThe Vršac Mountains , also known as Vršac Hill , are mountains located near Vršac , in the Serbian province of Vojvodina and partially also in Romania. They represent an independent and distinct massif, 19 kilometers long and spreading on an area of 170 square kilometers, of which 122 belong to...
in eastern Vojvodina- South Banat subregion
- North Banat subregion
- SuboticaSuboticaSubotica is a city and municipality in northern Serbia, in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina...
-HorgošHorgošHorgoš is a village located in Kanjiža municipality, in the North Banat District of Serbia. It is situated in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. The village has a Hungarian ethnic majority and its population numbering 6,325 people ....
region in northern Vojvodina - Kosovo region, in central KosovoKosovoKosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
In light of revival of winemaking industry of Serbia, Serbian Ministry of Agriculture in 2008 launched an initiative for reform of Serbian laws on winemaking, and re-classification of wine regions.
External links
Wine Style, Serbian magazine specialized for wine and spirits- Serbian wine routes, Serbian Tourist organization