Macedonian Wines For Troubled Times

By Ray Spaziani
Wine Talk

Ray Spaziani

It can be difficult to function under the unusual circumstances we all now live in. In order to protect ourselves, our families, relatives and friends, some degree of lockdown appears to be necessary.

Throughout the history of mankind, we have been confronted with many negative issues. We have endured wars and pandemics that have been greater than this one. Yet throughout history, god has given us an outlet that has helped us gain the strength and fortitude that has allowed us to endure no matter how difficult our lives may become: a wonderful glass of wine. So please relax. Count your blessings and try some wines from Macedonia.

Macedonia, within the Greek viticulture, is a protected geographical wine producing region. Northern Macedonia produces wine on 55,000 acres of vineyards. 80 percent of wines produced in this region are red. North Macedonia has three wine-growing regions. Povardarie is the most prominent in terms of quality and quantity. It is centered around the towns of Negotino and Kavadarci. On the border of Bulgaria is the region of Pcinja-Osogovo, and bordering Albania is Pelagonija-Polog, all around lake Ohrid.

The grape varieties common in cultivation include a large proportion of indigenous varieties and varieties common to Central Europe and the Balkans, as well as some international varieties. Red varieties include Vranec (the most common variety of North Macedonia), Kraotava, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Stanušina Crna is a unique variety of grape of local origin from North Macedonia capable of producing very high quality wines that are popular on the domestic market but little known outside the country. White varieties include Smederevka, Welschriesling (usually referred to as Laški Rizling), Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Zilivoka.

These wines are unique and are of high quality. They deserve a chance. They may be the thing we need to get our minds off of our current issues.

Experiment with some wines from a different part of the world. You can contact Edin Uzicanin. He is the head of business development of the Wines of Illyria. You can reach him at 203-703-8347. His email is edin@winesofIllyria.com. He is a great guy who will be happy to answer all your questions and tell you where you can find some of the unique wines.

Be well and stay safe.

Ray Spaziani is the chapter director of the New Haven Chapter of the American Wine Society. He is a certified wine educator and teaches classes for the Milford Board of Education Adult Education Program. He is on the tasting panel of Wine Maker Magazine and Amenti del Vino, as well as Moltose wine and beer suppliers and the Voracious Brewery. He is an award-winning home winemaker. Email Ray with any wine questions at realestatepro1000@gmail.com.