Winemaking has a long and illustrious history in Balkan nations. Some intriguing new wines have been produced as a consequence of innovations in the vineyard and winery.
Wine lovers can find unexpected delights in Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Bulgaria, while Moldova has a long history of viniculture that dates back thousands of years.
Balkan wines may provide a variety of flavors, from gentle and fresh to rich and robust, as well as some indigenous grape varietals that will enchant visiting oenophiles.
Here are some of the best red Balkan wines:
- Barovo – Wine from a single vineyard 700 meters up in the mountain hills, presents a perfect match of the powerful full-bodied Vranec and soft tannin Kratošija. Aroma and taste of blackberries, dry plums rounded in mouth-filling sensation, and lingering aftertaste.
Best enjoyed with lamb and prime ribs at 16-18°C.
- T’ga Za Jug – An iconic wine across the Balkans named after the iconic Macedonian poem “Longing for the South” and made from Vranec. On the nose, this wine offers aromas of red fruits and on the palate blackcurrants, raspberries, blackberries, and raisins. Full-bodied with a. sweetly fruity aftertaste. Pairs well with grilled food and full-fat cheeses.
- Bela Voda – The clay soil of Bela Voda and the typical Mediterranean climate, perfectly suit the varieties of Vranec and Plavec, a blend of which this wine is made. Aged in new French barrique barrels for 15 months, exhibiting exquisite aromas of black fruit and cocoa along with perfectly smooth tannins, this wine captivates you with its rich, full body and fruity structure.
Best enjoyed with the game at 16-18°C.
Here are some of the best white Balkan wines :
- Krstac – Wine of light golden color with green reflection. It is characteristic of its fruity aroma, reminiscent of ripe peaches and pears. It was named after the eponymous native white variety Krstač, which has grown in the vineyards of Podgorica since ancient times. This variety has a specific berry size and form which resembles a cross, after which it got its name.
Light, fresh with mineral tones, and very pleasant, invigorating acid. Best with Fish and seafood appetizers, light chowders, saltwater, freshwater fish, less spiced chicken, and soft, white cheese.
- Graševina Kutjevo – The wine is clear, yellow in color, with a predominantly refined, pure botrytis aroma. The aromatic profile reveals candied fruit, such as citrus peel. The taste is dominated by a rich and creamy body, and a long honey-bearing aftertaste.
Best with dessert, either as a companion to mature hard cheese, with a cake or just for meditative pleasure.
You already know where you can find these tasteful and unique wines. If you want to try some of the best Balkan wines, we are waiting for you at Rakija Lounge – Miami.
