Potential & Reviews When it comes to sparkling wines, the name Macedonia, regardless of whether it is, the one from the Bible or the present-day called North Macedonia mostly recognized by the powerful red wines from the the local black grape varieties, such as Vranec, Plavec, and Kratoshia, is quite difficult to associate with sparkling wines. Someone would say because of the climate, and they would be wrong because North Macedonia is a mountainous country with over 75% mountains that offer diverse hidden valleys, ideal for a wide range of grape varieties and their characteristics, thus various types and styles of wine, so why not and for sparkling wines. Someone would perhaps mention the lack of tradition in the production of sparkling wines, which would again be somewhat wrong. Namely, in the past, especially in the Ohrid-Prespa Wine District, (which in terms of the natural aspects of the definition of terroir, would easily stand alongside Franciacorta) a few grains of dehydrated grapes were added to wines made from very selected grapes and extremely high-quality harvests with the aim of encouraging secondary fermentation in the bottles which they would bury in the ground to age for 20-30 years. The goal was to have a sweet sparkling wine for various celebrations in the family. However, all this is far from some commercial production that actually appeared for the first time in the 70s. The very small production of sparkling wines has not managed to develop some kind of culture of consuming sparkling wines or to encourage smaller producers to discover the secrets of sparkling wines. Even today, the picture has not changed significantly, concerning the consumption of sparkling wine. Nevertheless, an increasing number of wineries appear with some attempts, more or less successful. This is good, because according to the slogan: "where there is smoke, there is fire", it is to be expected that the consumption of these wines will increase, and wineries will compete with each other in terms of quality. The recently held Masterclass in Skopje, where seven Macedonian sparkling wines were selected, was an excellent opportunity to check on which level is Macedonian sparkling wines. In terms of style, the vast majority of wineries are dedicated to the traditional method (champenoise) of producing generally Brut sparkling wines. The wines are mostly made based on international varieties, with Chardonnay leading the way. Acceptable to good quality, with some exceptions in both directions, very good quality, as well as those wines with difficulty integrating CO2 into the wine, and tertiary driven notes (premox like), probably as a result of bottle-aging longer after disgorgement. As successful Macedonian sparkling wines according to the traditional method, of very good quality, I single out:
The following two wines that literally follow the quality of KuVin's Rose bubbles are: Ch Sopot Rose 2014 Brut In a positive sense, this sparkling wine (traditional method) has no consistency in quality, it gets better every year. It is kept on fine lees in the bottle and is disgorged according to the market demant. I don't know how long we will enjoy this sparkling Pinot Noir, but it is a wine with well-delineate of raspberry, red currant fruits and yeasty aromas. It is lively on the palate, with a light and consistent perlage of fine bubbles, offering a creamy mousse with fruity freshness in a long, and pleasant finish. Popov Luna Blanc de Blancs 2012 A opulent, full-bodied blanc de blancs. The Chardonnay has developed fantastically after 7 years of aging on fine lees. Tropical aromatics of pineapple, melon, yellow fruit, with a lemony refreshing flavours, with a slightly toasty character, accompanied by subtle sweet spices and buttery notes of a brioche. A long and harmonious finish that calls for another sip. For those who are already a bit fed up with conventional sparkling wines, and who are not alien to the aromas and flavors of orange wines, or fortified Manzanilla or Sherry Fino types, I suggest you try this artisan project of sparkling wine from the Smedervka variety (aka Dimyat BG, or Zumiatico GR) of winery Peshkov.
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