Balkan Wines

Stobi Vranec 2020 (Tikveš, North Macedonia)

  • 100% Vranec—literally “black stallion”—a red grape indigenous to the Balkans, and the primary native red variety produced in North Macedonia
  • Stobi Winery is named for the nearby Stobiarcheological site; this ancient city is impeccably preserved and continues to be actively excavated by archeologists each summer. Visitors can still find ancient wine vessels among the ruins here.
  • Grapes are grown on the same slopes where ancient Romans grew their wine grapes for the Stobi municipality.
  • Located within the region of Tikveš, the most important wine region in North Macedonia; the Tikveš region was once the largest producer of wine for greater
  • Stobi Winery winemaker, Anton, is the first Macedonian to have studied winemaking in France, where he practiced his craft in Burgundy and the Loire Valley
  • Grapes are farmed sustainably and are all hand-harvested by local workers
  • Tasting Notes: Notes of blackberry, cherry tobacco, and chocolate, the rich flavors of Vranec live up to its “black stallion” moniker.
  • Pairing Suggestions: Best paired with bold foods, such as barbeque, braised lamb, sheep cheeses, or roasted mushrooms.
  • You’ll love this if you also love: California Merlot and Bordeaux blends

Stobi Muscat-Temjanika 2020 (Tikveš, North Macedonia)

  • 80% Muscat Ottonel; 20% Temjanika
  • Drink like a North Macedonian! Temjanika and Temjanika blends, like this one, are the most popular white wine among the residents of North Macedonia themselves and make for a perfect warm-weather sipper.
  • Stobi Winery is named for the nearby Stobiarcheological site; this ancient city is impeccably preserved and continues to be actively excavated by archeologists each summer. Visitors can still find ancient wine vessels among the ruins here.
  • Grapes are grown on the same slopes where ancient Romans grew their wine grapes for the Stobi municipality.
  • Located within the region of Tikveš, the most important wine region in North Macedonia; the Tikveš region was once the largest producer of wine for greater
  • Stobi Winery winemaker, Anton, is the first Macedonian to have studied winemaking in France, where he practiced his craft in Burgundy and the Loire Valley
  • Grapes are farmed sustainably and are hand-harvested and hand-sorted by local workers
  • Tasting Notes: A perfume of white flowers on the nose gives way to a palate bursting with tropical fruit and crisp minerality, and unexpectedly finishes with a long-lasting finish of ripe pear.
  • Pairing Suggestions: Pair this wine with a picnic or a beach day. You can’t go wrong with a cheese board, lobster roll, or summer salad.
  • You’ll love this if you also love: Sauvignon Blanc, Moscato

Zlatan Plavac Mali Sibenik Vineyard 2015 (Dalmatian Coast, Croatia)

  • 100% Plavac Mali
  • Located in Dalmatia, along the southwestern coast of Croatia, the Zlatan vineyards and winery were founded by a village fisherman in 1986.
  • Plavac Mali is the most important red grape of the Dalmatia region. Its name describes the grape bunches and literally translates to “small blue.” (Plavo=blue; mali=small)
  • Winemaker Zlatan Plenkovic has been consistently recognized as one of the best winemakers in Croatia since the winery’s founding; his mission is to focus exclusively on native Croatian grape varieties and raise the bar of quality to achieve international acclaim for his country.
  • Vines were first planted along this hilly coastline in the 16th century by Augustinian monks.
  • Grapes are farmed organically and fermented with ambient yeast
  • Tasting Notes: A ripe, Mediterranean treat, this medium-bodied wine is full of sun-baked fruit aromas like prunes and dried cherries. Its fine tannins and peppery spice add a little intrigue and further enhance the wine’s richness.
  • Pairing Suggestions: Serve with a red sauce ragu, or anything with a little char: steak, rack of lamb, grilled veggies, or brick-oven pizza.
  • You’ll love this if you also love: Chateauneuf du Pape, Cote du Rhone, California Syrah

Durić Severna Morava 2019 – (Fruška Gora, Serbia)

  • 100% Morava
  • Grape variety native to Serbia, specifically bred to be resistant to cold winters
  • Winery located in Serbia’s oldest national park, in the foothills of the Fruška gora mountain; Fruška gora is often referred to as the “Jewel of Serbia”
  • The slopes of the mountain were established as Serbia’s most prestigious vineyards in the 15th century
  • A prized dessert wine grown in this same region (bermet) was served aboard the Titanic
  • The Durić winery is home to one of Serbia’s only wine schools, where they concentrate on educating wine professionals and consumers alike on the native grapes and wines of Serbia.
  • Tasting Notes: Bursting with citrus and stone fruit, you may notice notes of peach, apricot, lime and orange peel, accompanied by a fresh, slightly floral aroma and a hint of fresh herbs on the finish.
  • Pairing Suggestions: Cesar salad, goat cheese and onion tart, ratatouille
  • You’ll love this if you also love: Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc