Thursday , March 28 2024
Macedonian wines are taking off in U.S. markets.

Wines of Macedonia: Guided Lunch Pairing Seminar at the 21 Club

Wines of Macedonia, Fred Dexheimer MS, 21 Club
Wines of Macedonia featured at a Guided Lunch Pairing Seminar with Fred Dexheimer, Master Sommelier at the 21 Club, NYC. Photo by Carole Di Tosti

Macedonian wines are taking off in U.S. markets. I had the opportunity to sample some delicious examples produced by six companies operating in Macedonia. Two, Popov Winery and Dalvinia Winery, are looking for distribution in the U.S. Others already have distributors, and you will be able to purchase wholesale and retail from distributors connected with these Macedonian wineries: Stobi (BALCAN WINE PROJECT-WINEBOW Group), Chateau Kamnik (AG MAC Import-Export Co), Tikves (European Cellars, Eric Solomon Selections), Bovin (AGMAC Import-Export Co). Each of the six companies has been in the wine industry for over 15 years.

At the luncheon and educational tasting led by Master Sommelier Fred Dexheimer, I was able to learn some salient facts about Macedonia which clarified its wine-making process and explained the amazing quality of the wines the country is producing – a shift from the bulk production of the years when Macedonia was a part of the the former Yugoslavia and was known as the Socialist Republic of Macedonia.

Wines of Macedonia, Fred Dexheimer MS, 21 Club
Fred Dexheimer, MS leading the Guided Pairing Seminar for Wines of Macedonia at the 21 Club, NYC. Photo by Carole Di Tosti

A fully independent country since 1991, the Republic of Macedonia, landlocked in the heart of the Balkans, is bordered by Serbia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Greece and Albania. It has a population of two million, is a candidate for joining the European Union, and is in free wine trade with EU members. It is enjoying its burgeoning tourism and is known for its hospitality offering pleasurable indulgence in fine food and quality wines.

Guided Lunch Pairing Seminar, Fred Dexheimer MS, The 21 Club, Wines of Macedonia
Grapes comprising the wines of Macedonia at the Guided Lunch Pairing Seminar at the 21 Club with Fred Dexheimer, MS. Photo by Carole Di Tosti

The Republic of Macedonia is known as the land of timeless sun. It has the perfect conditions for wine-making, with 270 days of eight hours of sun. With a transitional climate between Mediterranean and Continental, its soil is rich and alluvial, with minerals, clay and carbonites. It is the driest region in the Balkans, with some 500-70 millimeters of rain per year. All these elements, combined with the terroir, contribute to making it is an ideal region for exceptional, international grade wines of fine quality that hold up and fly with European wines and compete readily with EU members’ wines.

Bovin Winery Dissan, Kamnik Winery Vranec Terroir Grand Reserva, Stobi Winery Vranec Veritas, Wines of Macedonia
Spicy Lamb Bolognese: Fettuccine Rigate, Lamb Sausage, Picholine Olives, Roasted Tomatoes paired with Stobi Winery’s Vranec Veritas 2011, Kamnik’s Vranec Terroir Grand Reserva 2012, and Bovin Winery’s Dissan 2012. Photo by Carole Di Tosti

Macedonia has a rich wine-making history dating back 4,000 years. After declaring its independence from Yugoslavia, it privatized its wineries; they flourished and developed into the current 24,700 hectares of vineyards which are managed by over 15,000 winemaking families and producers. As the Republic of Macedonia, the country entered an intense period of development resulting in new wineries being built and old ones being restructured. That progress inspired winemakers to move away from bulk production of average wines and improve their craft to thrust Macedonia into the spotlight of  international wine quality.

Synthesis Cuvee Barriue 2009,, Dalvina Winery, Macedonian Wines, Macedonia, 21 Club
Dalvina Synthesis Cuvee Barriue 2009, from Dalvina Winery. The varietals are Vranec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon; a delicious red that goes will with beef and roasts. Photo by Carole Di Tosti

The warm, sunny summers and autumns give the grapes time to ripen in three wine-growing regions, where international and indigenous varietals of grapes are cultivated. Popular varietals include Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. I tasted all of these at the luncheon and at the walk-around tasting, where the six companies offered expanded selections.

Macedonian wineries are particularly satisfied with their red and white wines made from local grapes. These varietals include Smederevka, Temjanika, Zhilavka and Zupjanka for whites and Stanushina, Vranec and Kratoshija for reds. I tasted the bold, rich Vranec and found it to be exceptionally flavorful.

The representatives I spoke with from the various companies are intensifying their development to continually create fine quality wines at prices which do not strain wallets. The wines are able to compete with wines from other countries with a long history of marketing in the U.S. As the Macedonian wines become better known, they will easily rank with international favorites with their Chardonnays, Merlots, Pinot Noirs and Cabernets. Once aficionados are on board with the varietal selections, they will also be ready for the bolder, richer and outstanding Vranecs and Kratoshijas which offer the unique tastes and flavors of Macedonia.

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About Carole Di Tosti

Carole Di Tosti, Ph.D. is a published writer, playwright, novelist, poet. She owns and manages three well-established blogs: 'The Fat and the Skinny,' 'All Along the NYC Skyline' (https://caroleditosti.com/) 'A Christian Apologists' Sonnets.' She also manages the newly established 'Carole Di Tosti's Linchpin,' which is devoted to foreign theater reviews and guest reviews. She contributed articles to Technorati (310) on various trending topics from 2011-2013. To Blogcritics she has contributed 583+ reviews, interviews on films and theater predominately. Carole Di Tosti also has reviewed NYBG exhibits and wine events. She guest writes for 'Theater Pizzazz' and has contributed to 'T2Chronicles,' 'NY Theatre Wire' and other online publications. She covers NYC trending events and writes articles promoting advocacy. She professionally free-lanced for TMR and VERVE for 1 1/2 years. She was a former English Instructor. Her published dissertation is referenced in three books, two by Margo Ely, Ph.D. Her novel 'Peregrine: The Ceremony of Powers' will be on sale in January 2021. Her full length plays, 'Edgar,' 'The Painter on His Way to Work,' and 'Pandemics or How Maria Caught Her Vibe' are being submitted for representation and production.