Time to Rethink Macedonian wines
Posted on Fri 21st Mar 2014 at 09:52
As far as wines go, Macedonia had an image problem. Long known for being a source of cheap bulk plonk - largely because production costs in the country are so much lower than elsewhere in the EU - the country hasn't traditionally been recognised for the beautiful and varied wines it is capable of producing.Yet, as Master of Wine Caroline Gilby explains, this lack of recognition comes at retailers' cost. Macedonia has a wonderful climate for grape growing, meaning its potential is huge: "summer daytime temperatures
Macedonia has a wonderful climate for grape growing, meaning its potential is huge: "summer daytime temperatures can hit more than 40°C, and around 270 sunny days are typical. It lies between the latitudes of 40° to 43°N and rainfall is low to moderate with a mostly dry growing season, a factor in naturally low levels of disease pressure." Furthermore, where previously producers had focused on maximising their bulk wine production to satisfy European demand (mostly from Germany), now winemakers are developing a sense of identity and looking to produce the best wine they can, which can easily stand on its own in the European marketplace. “Recent investments show a huge commitment to delivering improved quality. Most of the winemakers are young, have travelled and gained experience abroad and are actively involved in research themselves", continues Caroline.
Stobi’s head wine maker, Dane Jovanov has travelled widely in pursuit of his craft, visiting the regions of Bordeaux, Italy and South Africa and the winery has invested an impressive £16mn in the latest technology which combined with its location results in exceptional quality wines at great prices. The recent changes have led to a new era of Macedonian winemaking that is producing some wonderful wines which, thanks to their low level of recognition in the marketplace, also provide very good value for money. Now is the time for retailers to get on board with this trend and showcase the delights of Macedonian wine to their customers - not only do they boast flavour combinations and styles that are well suited to the British palate, but they also offer the potential for generous profit margins.
Those who come on now will have the advantage of being 'on-trend' as the Eastern European wine trend continues to emerge and gain recognition for quality in the UK - but time is running out if you want to be ahead of the curve. To arrange a tasting of our exclusive range of Stobi Macedonian wines, which range from indigenous Macedonian grape varieties like Vranec and Žilavka to a more familiar Chardonnay, call us today. Caroline Gilby’s full article can be read here: https://carolinegilby.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/wbi_314_p62_63_macedonia-1.pdf