The Wine Launch Pad - OB Wine Trophy 2024 | Terroir.mk

​​Fortification of the wine competition and expectations

OBWT Tasting Room | Terroir.mk ©

I have had the privilege of being a part of this wine competition since its foundation in 2022, when it all started under the veil of a political initiative of the three Balkan countries: Serbia, North Macedonia, and Albania, called Open Balkan.  How much the Balkans have opened, I am not able to write about it, but I am witness to the fact that thousands and thousands of wine bottles have been opened in these three years, as well as the fact that wine is truly a magical product that connects people and does not recognize political borders. 
From the very beginning, the wine fair proved to be fantastically useful, massive, and colorful, like the world-famous ProWein, Wine Paris, and so on. At the same time, it quickly positioned itself in several world-important wine and food events, which moved the recognition of the Balkan wine peninsula few steps up.
In this entire rotating wine matter, at its very core, the creation of what we already recognize today in its third edition as a gem, the Open Balkan Wine Trophy, began.

OBWT Preparation Room | Terroir.mk ©

The third edition is significantly different. I can freely say that the presence of six Master of Wine (Caroline Gilby, Rod Smith, Elizabeth Gabay, Pasi Ketolainen, Alison Flemming, and Ivan Barbic) with the role of president of six judging panels is the true fortification of this wine competition. If we add the filigree selection of other internationally important wine judges, this year this competition will be like a launching pad for award-winning wines. At the same time as a wine beacon for wine lovers and professionals, especially those from abroad who are closely following the rise of the Balkan wine peninsula. 

Ivan Barbic, Rod Smith, Caroline Gilby, Alison Flemming, Elizabeth Gabay, Pasi Ketolainen Terroir.mk ©

Today marked the end of the second day of the wine competition, in which nearly a thousand wines passed through the hands, eyes, nose, and palate of 25 wine judges. Tomorrow will be the final evaluation of trophy wines and special awards. The announcement of the awarded wines is scheduled for 23/11/2024 (Saturday) 18:00 Hall 1

The Wine Baton of OBWT - Igor Lukovic

With due respect to everyone in the organization of this competition, and without exaggeration, I believe that such a rapid positive development of a wine competition would not have happened without the involvement of Igor Lukovic. When the right things fall into the right hands, the results are inevitably quick and evident, compliments to him.

The expectations?

​The involvement of a large number of internationally renowned wine judges will certainly raise the criterion of wine evaluation. The latest world wine trends will be imposed, and at the same time, styles of wine that carry a clearer characteristic of varietal aromatics, a more elegant expression, with subtle finesse for differences from those masked in wood, or structured "pedal to the metal" will be easier to pass through.

For instance, international varieties must be recognizable, they can carry the expression of the terroir, but the terroir must be properly selected following the grape variety. PN with a deep purple color, high tannins, and alcohol, and low acids with a jammy poorly delineated aroma, no pasaran. 
On the other hand, the affirmation of Balkan varieties in the right light will be a very strong and clear message to the rest of the wine world. This should encourage some winemakers and consumers to get out of the box, start listening to nature, and follow wine trends.
It is also worth noting that this wine competition continues to grow and that it may at some point expand beyond the three countries of the Open Balkans.
A good recommendation would be to introduce a fee for the wines sent to the competition to reduce the number of faulty wines.

Greetings to you all, this was another excellent wine experience!