For another year, Sofia hosted BIWC (The Balkans International Wine Competition) .Bulgaria has been trying for a few years already to present itself as a wine hub of the Balkans and a meeting point where wineries of the region will be able to present their wines to foreign journalists, experts, distributors . Still, there are voices of resistance and reluctance across the region, a lot of wineries are reluctant to send their wines there: Bulgaria is not the target wine market for other Balkan countries, wine culture there is still at a lower level than in the countries of  former Yugoslavia ... Effects of such resistance and the not-so-great reputation of Bulgaria are reflected in the fact that  in terms of number of exhibitors from countries of the Balkans and in terms of number of participating wineries or visitors, Belgrade Wine Jam has more reason to call itself the Balkans' wine event. Indeed, the wine festival which follows the official wine contest which is held in the garden of the Grand Hotel Sofia does not look like a regional exhibition: you feel like attending an exhibition of Bulgarian wines with only a few wineries from other countries of the region (Greece, Turkey, Slovenia).

However, critics of the Bulgarian event should look at things from the perspective of small family wineries. Going to major European wine trade fairs and promotion at wine events in  West Europe is a costly business, they require huge budgets, marketing support, contacts in the local wine circles ...

Therefore, the wine contest in Sofia is a great opportunity for wines from small boutique wineries to arrive in front of some renowned wine experts, critics and journalists. For example, it is a great opportunity for wines made by small local producers to be tasted and judged by Caroline Gilby, the Ambassador of wines from Central and Eastern Europe among holders of the title Master of Wine. And that's the way to look at this wine event in Bulgaria: a place where our small family wineries can draw attention to themselves and their wines. And this year, the wines from Serbia haven't just drawn attention to themselves - the total score of 7 gold medals, including a trophy for the best wine in the category of rose wines for Kiš Winery from Sremski Karlovci have shed new light onto Serbian wines.

BIWC 2014 medalists from Serbia:

Kišov Rose 2013 - Kiš Winery - gold medal and trophy for the best rose wine of the Balkans

Misija 2011 - Podrum Janko - gold medal

Pinot Grigio 2013 - Temet Winery - gold medal

Kremen Kamen 2011 - Matalj Winery - gold medal

Amanet 2011 - Aleksic Winery - gold medal

Triumph Noir 2009 - Aleksandrović Winery - gold medal

Bermet White - Kiš Winery - gold medal

Arno 2013 - Aleksic Winery - silver medal

Triumph Gold 2012 - Aleksandrović Winery - silver medal

Vrtlog 2012 - Podrum Janko - silver medal

Kišova Misterija 2011 - Kiš Winery - silver medal

Regent Reserve 2009 - Aleksandrović Winery - silver medal

Kremen 2012 - Matalj Winery - silver medal

Pusula Rose 2013 - Pusula Winery - silver medal

Pusula Gewürztraminer 2013 - Pusula Winery - silver medal

Terasa Chardonnay 2012 - Matalj Winery - bronze medal

Ergo White 2012 - Temet Winery - bronze medal

Kardaš Limited 2011 - Aleksic Winery - bronze medal

Triumph Noir 2012 - Aleksandrović Winery - bronze medal

Rodoslov 2006 - Aleksandrović Winery - bronze medal

Dušica 2013 - Matalj Winery - bronze medal

Rose 2013 - Temet Winery - bronze medal

Kišov Bermet - Kiš Winery - bronze medal

I'm very pleased when small family wineries prove continuous quality year after year and evolve into a serious wine producer on the market which offers customers a guarantee that the wine is made with lots of attention and love. Kiš Winery from Sremski Karlovci has built its reputation around bermet wine, and for years the name of the winery has been accompanied with reputation of the best bermet of Karlovci ... Over time, Kišova Misterija also won its place on the market and  acquired a circle of admirers (both dry and semi-dry version). There were many awards and accolades for Kiš wines, but now comes from Bulgaria the Trophy for the best wine of the Balkans in the category of rose wines. And this title becomes even more notable if we know that the jury composition included Caroline Gilby and Rod Smith, holders of the title Master of Wine. You should also know that Rod Smith lives in the south of France, so he has good knowledge and understanding of the best rose wines of Provence, so the award won by Kiš Winery gets even greater importance.

Kišov Rose 2013 is a wine full of surprises ... One could never call it a typical representative of wines from Serbia. Varietal composition: Merlot and Blaufrankisch, quite an unusual selection of grape varieties (such blend could be found elsewhere only in a few wineries in Burgenland in Austria). Some would think that they have blended incompatible varieties, but in any case it is a reflection of winemaker's curiosity and the constant search for something new, thus moving boundaries and bringing innovation in the wine world. Exactly what Serbia needs ...

I look at the label and note 14% alcohol, which makes me wonder whether it is a printing error... However, when you taste rose from Kiš Winery, you will not feel the burning alcohol in the throat or that characteristic bitterness of alcohol. Residual sugar skillfully brought alcohol level to equilibrium, but also gave the body... Just chill the wine to  7-8 degrees Celsius and enjoy it... Then the wine will release its distinct aromas of strawberry and cherry with hints of spicy herbs in the aftertaste ...

On Wednesday, June 18, 2014, the entire family, including Grandpa Slavko came to Belgrade from Sremski Karlovci,to the restaurant TEATROTEKA, together with friends of the winery, journalists, sommeliers in order to celebrate a new trophy for Kiš' Wines ... And instead of listening to long narratives, the audience were left to taste the winning rose and judge whether this wine truly deserves the title of best rosé of the Balkans ... I like to point out that Kiš Winery has the longest tradition of wine-making without disruption even during the Socialist times. The experience collected over decades and awareness of the contemporary wine-making practices which create wines adored by the wine-loving crowd, have boosted Kiš Winery's confidence to engage boldly in further experimenting. In addition, they also push for a small revolution by giving us great Serbian wines with excellent price/quality ratio... So, unconsciously, they also force other winemakers from Sremski Karlovci to be better and to restore the old glory of  wines from Sremski Karlovci.

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