Grape Expectations: Vranec
Posted on Mon 13th Jul 2015 at 14:33
The ancient Vranec grape variety is indigenous to the Balkans and provides a deliciously authentic taste of the region. Known as Vranac in the rest of the Balkans but Vranec in Macedonia, it is pronounced ‘V-ran-etz’ and is used to produce some spectacular wines.
The ancient Vranec grape variety is indigenous to the Balkans and provides a deliciously authentic taste of the region. Known as Vranac in the rest of the Balkans but Vranec in Macedonia, it is pronounced ‘V-ran-etz’ and is used to produce some spectacular wines. Vranec is one of the most important grapes in Macedonia, and is a large, deeply coloured berry that grows on very productive vines. It is usually harvested between mid-September and October by workers who pick the grapes by hand. Almost 50% of the red grape vineyards in Macedonia are comprised of Vranec, and indeed Stobi has over 200 hectares of them. Once harvested the grapes are crushed before fermentation, which gives off a deliciously overpowering scent of chocolate, liquorice and black cherry. When the wines are young, they have a bright purple hue and an aroma of red berries, with crisp tannins and noticeable acidity. After the wines have aged for a year or two, like our beautiful Stobi Vranec, their colour develops to an intense, inky purple, while the aroma blossoms into a bouquet of chocolate liquorice, coffee and Morello cherry. The flavours have matured into crushed blackberry and the taste is less sharp, with rounded tannins and a longer, smoother finish. The Stobi Vranec is delicious, and once you’ve tried this you may be inspired to try our Vranec Veritas Reserve, the pinnacle of winemaking with this ancient grape. This wine is made with exceptional grapes, which are given lots of room to mature on the vine due to the removal of most of the crop before the vines bloom. This method produces a lower yield – only 8 tonnes per hectare – but means that each grape is richer in polyphenols, anthocyans and tannins. Wine made with these grapes is spectacular: full bodied, rich in colour with a velvety mouth-feel and fine tannins, and flavours of bramble fruit. Whichever wine you choose, you’ll find that Vranec is a truly unique, unmistakable grape and one which will complement any celebratory meal. All our Vranec wines are an authentic taste of Macedonia, and one we hope you’ll savour.