Columbus in 1492 headed west unaware that a new continent awaits to be discovered. Several wineries from Serbia a few years ago discovered American market in a similar way: no great expectations, no pompous press announcements and expensive advertising campaigns, and no previous experience with American wine market...This year can be considered a turning point in the evolution of Serbian wine scene. Finally, the results of hard work have become visible and measurable. For the first time ever, one Serbian wine has won a regional trophy at Decanter (Stari Zavet 2011 from Cellar Janko, Smederevo) The Wine Identity Conference, which was organized for the first time this year by the website www.vinopedia.rs and magazine Vino & Fino, demonstrated on the example of wines from the winery Ivanović that a good Prokupac can without any doubts age up to 10 years (although it was often quoted in older books and sources that Prokupac's potential for aging doesn't exceed 5 years). And finally, allow me to make a joke at the expense of one of the most famous wine critics in the world, Robert Parker has finally discovered this year that wine has been made in Serbia for centuries. It's not only a discovery. A wine from Serbia has been awarded for the first time the 90+ points (91) on the official website site www.erobertparker.com.

The USA has a market for wines from Serbia, and generally from the Balkans. In the United States, these territories do not raise negative connotations from the period of the wars in Bosnia and Croatia, but the wine lovers in the United States perceive these wines  as "European" and the new wines that have not had the chance to taste yet. Although the popularity of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Grigio in the United States is not subsiding, the Americans are quite open to taste something new, to get better acquainted with wines from indigenous varieties that originate from the Balkans which they never had a chance to taste before. This is exactly the market potential of our local varieties such as Tamjanika and Prokupac.

I always emphasize that Sub Rosa 2007, wine which was the first to introduce notions of Prokupac to the global wine scene. It contributed to rise of this authentic Serbian variety - the ugly duckling that over the past decade has grown into a beautiful swan, which we should be proud of. I followed its journey at  wine festivals and events in Europe, listening to comments of wine experts who had the first encounter with this wine fro Serbia, a blend of Prokupac and Cabernet Sauvignon. And now, another confirmation of quality arrived from the United States. Excellent score (91 points) for Sub Rosa 2007, premium wine from Budimir Winery located in Župa wine region (southern Serbia). Other wines from this family winery were also well-received. Budimir Župska Tamjanika 2011 and Riesling Margus Margi were both awarded 89 points, whilst red Triada 2008 earned 88 points. The results were published on the official website of the magazine "Wine Advocate" at www.erobertparker.com . The released ratings and reviews are signed by Mark Squires who pointed out that Sub Rosa 2007 was skilfully made ​​and impressive wine that will still age in style and develop for the better in the years to come.

Wine Advocate also published reviews for a few other wines from Serbia available on the American market, so Portugieser 2013 from Mačkov Podrum Winery (Agrina) was rated 84 points, whilst Morava 2011 from Jelić Cellar from Valjevo (West Serbia) was rated 86 points.

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