GrandVin 2026: A Confident Start to the New Wine Year in Macedonia

A salon that opens the season, but more importantly, reveals the direction in which the Macedonian wine scene is evolving

GrandVin 2026 - Spring Wine Salon

MK

GrandVin 2026, held at the Skopje Marriott Hotel, once again confirmed its role as the event that symbolically opens the new wine year in the country.
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With around forty exhibitors, primarily wineries, but also wine bars, importers and wine tourism agencies, the salon offered a broad overview of the current offer and the evolving dynamics of the scene. The event attracted a diverse audience, from wine enthusiasts to industry professionals, creating an atmosphere that was lively yet sufficiently composed to allow for meaningful tasting and conversation.

Particular attention was drawn to the dedicated stand showcasing the awarded wines from the latest edition of Vranec Selection by CMB 2026. Still “fresh” from the competition, these wines were presented in this format for the first time immediately after receiving their accolades. Their presence added weight to the event and provided a clear snapshot of the qualitative progress within the regional wine landscape.

​As part of the programme, certificates were awarded to candidates who successfully completed the training programmes of the Macedonian Association of Sommeliers. This moment carried particular significance, underlining the importance of education and the continuous development of professional expertise within the sector.

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Despite strong attendance, the event unfolded without overcrowding, allowing visitors to move comfortably, engage directly with exhibitors and taste the wines with focus. Feedback on Macedonian wines was overwhelmingly positive, while the overall atmosphere throughout the venue remained relaxed yet purposeful.


GrandVin 2026 was not merely another successful event, but a precise snapshot of where the Macedonian wine scene currently stands. In the glass, one increasingly encounters efforts towards greater elegance, lower alcohol levels and more clearly defined primary aromas, wines where fruit expression, freshness and varietal character come to the forefront and more clearly define their origin. At the same time, the more concentrated, higher-alcohol style remains firmly present, deeply rooted both in production and in the expectations of the local market.


It is within this tension between tradition and a more contemporary sensibility that the real story unfolds. Not as a conflict, but as a process, a gradual shift in which identity is still being negotiated. Perhaps this is precisely where the greatest potential lies: in the moment when confidence will no longer be derived from power, but from precision, balance and a clearly articulated sense of origin.

Explore the full gallery and atmosphere HERE