Balkan wines have become increasingly sought after in the European and international scene, which in recent decades has been looking for authentic tastes and top quality wines. Wine production in the Balkans dates back to ancient times and today the diversity of cultures and influences and the rich history and tradition of wine are proving to be the most important advantages in a world that is looking for the ABC of wine styles: "Anything but Chardonnay" or "Anything but Chardonnay (Cabernet)".

The richness of diversity

The varied geography of the region, which stretches from the Adriatic coast over mountain ranges to the Pannonian plain, has made the cultivation of numerous indigenous and international grape varieties possible and is reflected in a wide range of wines of different styles.

Slovenia is proud of varieties such as Rebula, Refošk, Malvasia, Furmint (Šipon) and Frankovka (Modra Frankinja/Blaufränkisch). Croatia plays the Istrian Malvasia, Terrano, Graševina, Plavac Mali, Pošip and Babić as its trump cards, and Serbia focuses on the varieties Tamjanika, Prokupac, Grašac, Morava and Probus.

Former Yugoslavia was one of the top 10 wine producers in the world and around 60% of the grapes came from North Macedonia, which was known for the red grape varieties Vranac/Vranec and Kratošija (Zinfandel) and the white variety Smederevka. Perhaps you didn't know that the largest European vineyard, Ćemovsko polje, is located in Montenegro and also boasts Vranac? In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the favorites are Žilavka, Blatina and Trnjak.

The list of indigenous varieties and secret gems among the wines could be extended to include Albanian, Bulgarian, Greek, Romanian and Turkish varieties, which together geographically form the wine scene of the Balkan Peninsula. Fortunately, grape varieties do not know any political borders, so many of the varieties mentioned are native to the entire region.

International, but still local varieties for us!

Best of all, however, is that Balkan winemakers not only cultivate indigenous grape varieties, but also continue a long tradition of producing wine from international varieties that develop special characteristics in our terroir. From light and fresh white wines to rosés and orange wines to complex red coupages that are stored for a long time in barrels made of Slavonian or Serbian oak.

Don't be surprised if a Chardonnay from Fruška Gora or a Cabernet Franc from Goriška Brda receives 97 points, making it platinum, in the prestigious Decanter wine competition. The same goes for the Shiraz from near Mostar or the Cabernet Sauvignon from Negotin, which won gold medals in the same competition. The fact that these successes are no coincidence is also demonstrated by the placement of the Zvonko Bogdan Cuvée No. 1 wine, which has won gold medals for the third year in a row with a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc (or Frankovka).

Organic, biodynamic and natural wines are a global trend, and our region has not passed it by. Minimal intervention and the removal of chemical agents from the production process are nothing other than a return to tradition and the practice of the old winemakers, because back then all wine was organic and work in the vineyard was hard, all day long. Balkan winemakers go one step further towards tradition and return to storing wine in ceramic vessels and amphorae.

The stars among the Balkan wines

The greatest successes in international competitions are achieved by Slovenian winemakers with predominantly indigenous varieties. To date, they have won over 50 gold medals and 20 platinum medals at the Decanter competition and they also achieved highly acclaimed successes at the AWC Vienna. The Croatian producers are right behind them and in recent years winemakers from Serbia have also achieved good placings. A highlight was last year's title of "Best in Show" for the wine Vinčić Grašac 2020, which thus secured a place among the ten best white wines in the world.

The Balkan wines that have attracted the most attention from experts and consumers are:

• Vinčić Grašac 2020 (100% Grašac)
• Simčić Leonardo 2011, 2013 and 2015 (100% Rebula)
• Zvonko Bogdan Cuvée No.1 2016, 2017 and 2019 (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc/Blaufränkisch)
• Benvenuti San Salvatore Muscat 2015 and 2017 (100% Momjan Muscat)
• Fakin Teran 2017, 2019 and 2021 (100% Terrano)
• Tikveš Barovo 2015, 2016 and 2019 (Kratošija, Vranac)
• Kozlović, Santa Lucia Malvazija 2017 (100% Istrian Malvasia)
• Matalj Kremen Kamen 2016 and 2017 (100% Cabernet Sauvignon)
• Ščurek Rebula Up (100% Rebula)
• Štoka, Terasel Selekcija Teran 2015 (100% Terrano)

The Vinska vizija Otvorenog Balkana (Wine Vision by Open Balkan) trade fair, which takes place in Belgrade and aims to promote partnership and cooperation between the region’s winemakers for a joint presence on the world market, is also contributing to the rise of the Balkan wine-growing scene. After just two years, this fair has become one of the most important oenological events in Europe. This year it will take place from 22 to 24 November. Many of these wines can also be purchased in Austria, and this is partly due to the large community of citizens of Balkan origin, but also to the Austrian wine connoisseurs who prefer the “ABC style”.