An Evening at the Embassy of the Republic of North Macedonia

Last week we attended an event through Embassy Experiences held at the Embassy of the Republic of North Macedonia.  We were drawn to the event specifically to try the Macedonia wines and food that were provided.  The Republic of North Macedonia is  located in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe.  It is situated in the northern part of the larger geographical region traditionally known as Macedonia, which is shared with Greece and Bulgaria. The country is bordered by Kosovo to the northwest, Serbia to the north, Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south, and Albania to the west. 

Although a landlocked country (it is separated from the Adriatic Sea by Albania and the Aegean Sea by Greece), the republic has both continental and Mediterranean influences on its climate. Its northeastern corner is separated from the nearest coastline by 200km (125 miles), while Lake Doiran at its southeastern edge lies just 55km (35 miles) from the coastal Greek town of Thessalonika on the Thessalonian Gulf.  The main wine-growing regions here are Pcinja-Osogovo in the north, Pelagonija-Polog in the south and Povardarie (the central Vardar River valley). The republic as a whole has 23,000 hectares (56,850 acres) of wine vineyards and a slightly larger coverage of vines harvested for table grapes.

Courtesy of Tikveš Winery

Tikveš is a prominent winegrowing subregion within the Povardarie, or Vardar river valley. Tikveš the region is also readily confused with the country's largest wine producer of the same name (Tikveš winery), based in the town of Kavadartsi where the majority of vineyards in Tikveš lie. Founded in 1885 in a region with centuries-old winemaking tradition, Tikveš Winery is now celebrating 140 years of wine production. 

Courtesy of Tikveš Winery

At the embassy event, we were able to sample several wines from Tikveš Winery as well as a grape Rakija. The buffet consisted of an assortment of delicious Balkan cuisine featuring Tavče gravče, a hearty baked bean stew traditionally cooked in clay pots and seasoned with paprika, mint, and other spices. There was also Burek, grape leaves, plenty of rice and chicken, and pastries and other desserts. As for the wine, they poured a dry Cabernet Sauvignon and off-dry Vranec (Vranac) as well as a delicious dry Žilavka and off-dry Alexandria (Rhine Riesling, Chardonnay, Smederevka, Sauvignon Blanc).  Here are the winery's description of the two flagship wines. 

Tikveš Vranec
The name “Vranec” translates to “black stallion”, which reflects the grape’s dark color and powerful character with complex aromas. The wild nature of Vranec is tamed in this wine, characterized by a rich ruby color, a sweetish taste, full body, and a long finish. It features a myriad of aromas of ripe forest fruits, prunes, and spices

Tikveš Žilavka 
Žilavka is a dry white wine with a gentle and discreet scent of flowers and fresh and fruity taste. It is made from the indigenous grape variety of the same name, derived from ‘žilav,’ meaning ‘tough’ or ‘resilient’. This reflects the grape’s ability to withstand the hot climate, drought, and poor soils. Overall, Žilavka offers a delightful combination of vivid freshness, fruitiness, and minerality, making it a great choice for those seeking a unique and enjoyable experience.

Milicevic Family Vineyards: Wine from Louisiana and Herzegovina

While conducting a review of craft beverage establishments by state for theCompass Craft Beverage Finder, I noticed a new winery in Louisana with ties to a unique wine region: Herzegovina. In 1950, Milicevic Family Vineyards opened in the Croatian area of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and as a young man, Ivan Milicevic worked on his family-owned vineyards. He immigrated to the United States in 1989 settling in Louisiana where he eventually purchased land in Abita Springs. In 2015 he planted a vineyard on this property in order to open a U.S. version of Milicevic Family Vineyards. This vineyard included Blatina and Zilavka, two grapevines that exist only in his native Herzegovina.  This decision presented two challenges. Can these vines prosper in the Bayou State's extreme humidity? And could the female Blatina grapevine be pollinated by the other grapevines planted in the vineyard?  

Through VinoShipper, I thought I had purchased wines from this estate vineyard in order to answer these questions; but instead, the wines were actually produced by the MFV in Herzegovina. In this regard, they were a little overvalued - but very well made and enjoyable.  After a little research, I think these wines are from the Citluk Winery, the largest winery in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and also the source of a similar wine - the Wines of Illyria Blatina.  

Milicevic Family Vineyards Red Table Wine ($28)
This is 100% Blatina which closely resembles those I had previously sampled. Think dark cherries and black raspberries and traces of mint, chocolate, and toffee. It also provides a very smooth finish with easy tannins. 

Milicevic Family Vineyards White Table Wine ($28)
This wine is comprised of 85% Žilavka (Zhi-luv-kah) with 15% Bena with the former providing the robust flavor and alcohol and the latter acidity.  Žilavka also contains a slight nutty profile which is more prevalent in this wine's aroma. The core is fresh grapefruits and lemons with a chewy and acidic boost at the tail 

Grape Spotlight: Žilavka of Medjugorje

The Mediterranean climate that attracts viticulture in Croatia's coastal regions do not end at the Adriatic but extend into Herzegovina -- the southern region within Bosnia-Herzegovina. Grapes have been cultivated in this region for at least a millennium, with vineyards planted in limestone soils from the coast to the city of Mostar. Žilavka is the predominant white grape that flourishes even during drought conditions.

St. James Cathedral

The grape is noted for its abundant acidity and sugar concentration providing the potential for high alcohol levels, two traits that influence its use in brandy distilling. As a single varietal wine, Žilavka provides an interesting nutty, sometimes pine-ish, character. Wineries often enhance the body with barrique oak aging, which doesn't dissuade from the nutty aspect of the wine. We found a couple of these styles in Mostar, but our most memorable was an unoaked version from a store in Medjugorje - the famous pilgrimage site.  The bottle was purchased from a market near St. James Cathedral and the clerk told us it was his family's label - translated "Homemade dry white wine".  The wine was dry, only 12% alcohol, and greenish with noticeable pine notes - made me think of Vermentino.  Looking forward to our next visit. Cheers.