Serbia
Given that Serbia occupies central part of the Balkan peninsula, over the centuries, all civilizations that flourished in the Balkans have left their imprint in Serbia on the local wine
culture. Sirmium (present-day city of Sremska Mitrovica in North Serbia) was one of the capitals of the Roman Empire in the period of Tetrarchy (3rd century). Hence Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Probus is held responsible for expansion of viticulture and vinegrowing in the regions bordering the Danube river (Mountain Fruška Gora and hills nearby Smederevo).
Serbian wine growing in the twenty-first century continues its development. The surface covered with vineyards continue to expand and after 15 years, they have reached total surfaceof approximately 22,150 hectares (according to 2012 census). The average annual consumption of wine per capita in Serbia has reached 13 liters. Also, autochthonous grape varieties come in
the spotlight, so vineyards planted with Prokupac, Grašac, Začinak, Tamjanika, Seduša, Furmint multiply. Starting from 2016, the International Prokupac Day is celebrated on October 14th,
which contributes to promotion of Prokupac as the flagship variety of Serbia. At the same time, Prokupac is the first grape from Central/Eastern Europe which has its grape day event.
- SREM WINE REGION
- ŠUMADIJA WINE REGION
- THREE MORAVAS WINE REGION
- NEGOTINSKA KRAJINA WINE REGION
SREM WINE REGION
Overview
Srem wine region is located on the slopes of Fruška Gora facing the Danube (north) and Sava (south) rivers. The territory of Srem wine region excludes the peaks of Fruška Gora which are a part of the forest area of the national park. Within Srem region, there is only one sub-region – Fruška Gora. According to 2012 data, there are 2,141 hectares of vineyards in Srem wine region. The vineyards are situated at an altitude ranging from 90 to 270 meters, mainly on the northern and southern slopes. The southern and northern sides of Fruška Gora are intersected by numerous streams that flow into the Danube River to the north and the Sava River to the south. For this reason, exposure of the plot depends on which side of the stream it is located. Smaller or bigger plateaus are nestled between the streams. On the southern slopes of Fruška Gora, these plateaus are spacious, often comprising dozens of hectares in one piece, with gentle sloping and seldom facing erosion problems. The altitude is gradually decreasing as we go from the slopes of Fruška Gora towards the edge of the wine region.
Soil & Climate
The predominant type of land is Chernozem, and also Cambisol, Rendzina (humus-rich soil on limestone), Regosol, Orthent on magmatic bed.
A moderating factor affecting the local climate is the Danube River, which affects earlier
ripening of grapes due to intense diffuse radiation (the effect of two suns).
Grape Varieties
White
- Italian Riesling
- Sremska Zelenika
- Furmint
- Medenac Beli
- Tamjanika
- Gewurztraminer
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Grigio
- Rhine Riesling
Red
- Probus
- Slankamenka
- Bakator
- Blaufrankisch
- Portugizer
- Pinot Noir
- Merlot
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cabernet Franc
- Marselan
- Seduša
- Kadarka
ŠUMADIJA WINE REGION
Overview
Šumadija is a wine region from which the renewal of contemporary Serbian winemaking started. Historically, it is not the most important wine region, nor is it a region with the largest preserved areas under vineyards. Maybe that was the reason why wine makers from Šumadija set out to create the foundation for some of the top wines that can be found on shelves today, without the burden of traditional winemaking.Šumadija wine region comprises 4 sub-regions: Krnjevo, Oplenac, Rača and Kragujevac, the largest of which is Kragujevac.Šumadija is surrounded by large rivers on all sides: the Sava and the Danube in the north, the West Morava in the south, the Great Morava in the east and the Kolubara in the west. The relief of Šumadija fascinates with its diversity and beauty made up of shallow river valleys and ravines, vast wavy surfaces and remnants of the suspended parts of the old mass, that is Internal Dinarides. A vast number of small rivers flow through the region on their way to some of the major rivers that surround this area. These small waterways dissected the relief of Šumadija and gave it a hilly layout. Terrains stretch over altitudes ranging from 100 to 1130
meters. The highest point of Šumadija is Mount Rudnik (1132 m).
Climate
The climate in Šumadija is moderate continental with significant microclimate differences that arise due to the size of the region and the differences in the altitude (from 100m to 1130m). Also, there is an abundance of various micro-locations with features of Župa climate . The winds blow from all directions, but mostly from the west and north-east. The climate is further characterized by moderately warm summers with significant disparities in temperature between day and night. The winters are cold and springs are generally shorter and colder than the autumns. In the north, the effects of the Pannonian steppe-continental climate can be noticed.
Soil
The entire region is constantly varying in soil types across different smaller plots. Therefore, it is especially important in this region to properly select the right micro location for the vineyard. Alternately you will come across plots with Cambisol, Vertisol, Humus-Silicate soil and even some Chernozem in the north.
Grape Varieties
White
- Muscat Hamburg
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Smederevka
- Rhine Riesling
Red
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Prokupac
- Cabernet Franc
THREE MORAVAS WINE REGION
Overview
Three Moravas is a wine region in central Serbia that encompasses the basins of three Morava rivers: the West Morava, the South Morava and the Great Morava. The wine region of Three Morava comprises a total of 9 sub-regions: Paraćin, Jagodina, Jovac, Levač, Temnić, Trstenik, Kruševac, Župa and Ražanj.Vineyards are generally situated in flat to moderately steep positions at altitudes between 200 and 350 meters. In Župa, vineyards are located in the belt up to 650 meters.
Climate
In terms of climate, Župa of Aleksandrovac has moderate continental climate with distinctive features of Mediterranean sub-climate. Winters are mild with little snow, and temperatures rarely dropping below -10 degrees C. Therefore, it doesn’t come as a surprise that locals have been involved in vinegrowing for centuries. The driest period of year is April-June, whilst autumn is typically sunny and dry, which is particularly favourable for late varieties such as Prokupac.The moderating factors affecting the local climate are the mountains surrounding the area, including the Kopaonik Mountains (2017m), Željin (1785m) and Jastrebac (1130m) which affect air currents as well as diurnal temperature variations. The area around the rivers affects the microclimate and airflow, and consequently improves the process of photosynthesis, pollination and fertilization.
Soil
The predominant soil types are Vertisol, Fluvisol and Cambisol, but other types of soil may
occur depending on the location.
Grape Varieties
White
- Tamjanika
- Italian Riesling
- Rhine Riesling
- Chardonnay
Red
- Prokupac
- Pinot Noir
- Jagoda
- Cabernet Sauvignon
NEGOTINSKA KRAJINA WINE REGION
Overview
Negotinska Krajina is a genuine treasure trove of Serbian wines. Owing to its quality, wine from this region has won a leading position in recent wine-making history of Serbia owing to success at the most important international wine competitions. It is inspiring to see vinegrowers from
this region who are shaping their identity both on indigenous and international grape varieties. Negotinska Krajina region is located in the east of Serbia and stretches along the Danube River, next to the Romanian and Bulgarian border. The vineyards cover total surface of 978ha. The main geographic factors affecting the identity of the region are proximity of the Danube and the mountains Miroč (768m), Veliki Greben (656m) and Deli Jovan (1136m), which surround this wine region from the west and make the slope of the terrain descending from west to east and settling eventually on the Danube river bank. Negotinska Krajina region extends at an altitude ranging from 60 to 480 meters, but the vineyards are mostly located at altitudes of 100 to 270 meters.Negotinska Krajina comprises the following sub-regions: Ključ, Brza Palanka, Mihajlovac, Negotin and Rogljevo-Rajac.
Climate
Climate of the region is defined by the fact that Negotinska Krajina is surrounded from the north and west by mountains, while it opens to the vast plain in the south and east through which air currents arrive from the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. The region has distinct features of continental climate with cold winters and hot summers, when the temperature often reaches 40 degrees in the shade. On the other hand, the snow is a regular occurrence on the territory of eastern Serbia. During the winter, Gornjak and Košava winds are common.
Soil
The vineyards are often located on vertisol, cambisol and sandy soil. Along the banks of the Danube, there are loess, alluvial deposits, layers of gravel and clay and sandy soil.
Both indigenous and international grape varieties can be found in the vineyards of Negotinska Krajina. Certainly, owing to a large number of sunny days during the year, this area is particularly well-suited for late varieties. Concerning indigenous varieties, old vineyards still preserve old vines of Začinak, Bagrina, Vranac, Crna Tamjanika. However, the identity of the region is equally made of international varieties such as Gamay and. The regions of Negotinska Krajina and Vranje are thought to be ideal areas in Serbia where Cabernet Sauvignon expresses its best features.
Grape Varieties
White
- Bagrina
Red
- Gamay
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Vranac
- Crna Tamjanika
- Začinak