High Praise from the Wine Hub for Stobi Wines and its Vranec
Posted on Mon 21st Apr 2014 at 09:42
Signature Wines was delighted to be featured twice on The Wine Hub’s blog this week, where Luiz Alberto selected Stobi as one of his three favourite wineries in the Republic of Macedonia.
He said, “I still have a lot to learn as things seem to be changing at a “fast and furious” pace in that part of the wine world (there are about 80 officially registered wineries in Macedonia). There is no better way to get to know the wine and history of this region than by being part of Stobi’s wine tours! This idea of becoming acquainted with the wine and food on offer from this region is a novel tourism product, previously available only abroad, from the Napa Valley in California, to Mendoza in Argentina, to Bordeaux in France. Yet, now you have an exclusive opportunity to enjoy them in the heart of Stobi.” If you can’t get to the winery direct to taste the Stobi collection, then please contact Signature Wines who will be able to arrange a personal tasting of the range that is available in the UK.
Luiz also features Stobi in his blog (dated 21st April 2014) entitled ‘Vranac or Vranec? It doesn’t matter, you will love them both!’ He says, “Vranec means “black stallion”. With a name like this, you can assume that this is a grape variety that is capable of producing very powerful wines.” And of the Stobi Vranec Veritas he says the “Stobi Vranec Veritas 2011 is a dark-ruby, strong colour, corpulent, full-bodied and rich in extract. This wine has a very “international style” and is easier to understand than other Vranec wines from the country. It has great potential for ageing.” You can read both articles on the wine hub blog and find out more about Vranec, how Luiz was introduced to this indigenous variety from the Eastern Mediterranean region and why Jancis Robinson MW thinks Vranec is “is the most important indigenous variety of the region”.
The blog also features extracts from Ivana Simjanovska‘s, author of the book the Macedonian Wine Guide, where she says “Vranec is an ancient grape variety that is indigenous to the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro. It is considered one of the most notable grape varieties in Macedonia. The word Vranec means Black Stallion, which is a very descriptive name. The young stallions have a bright purple colour and a nose full of red berries and fruit jams and many tannins. They are not easy to ride. After a few years of ageing, the colour develops into an intense dark ruby/black and the nose develops a more complex aroma that usually has hints of chocolate, black fruits and cinnamon. It has lost its sharpness and developed a longer and smoother finish.” Ivana also says on Facebook “Vranec is the Next Big Red.”