Another year has come to a close. I followed wine routes that led me to Split, Dusseldorf, Provence, Budapest, Timisoara, Sombor, Niš, Smederevo, Venice, Plovdiv, Podgorica, Negotin, Kopaonik, Bucharest, Marseille and numerous  other wine regions of Europe ... It is time to look back, assess this year's accomplishments and make plans for the following year. My intention is to keep you updated all year round with the latest information about Serbian wine scene and present news and trends from the global wine world. Vinopedia has grown to maturity after 5 years of existence. For the first time, I have been threatened by a lawsuit and lawyers because of an article about bad guys and events on the Serbian wine scene published on vinopedia pages (it didn't make me frightened, only convinced that I am doing the right thing). For the first time this year I got an opportunity to be a taster at one of the largest international wine competitions Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. Also, the website vinopedia.rs is listed as a reference in the section dedicated to Serbia in the latest 4th edition of The Oxford Companion to Wine written by Jancis Robinson. Cooperation with Wine Mosaic organization to promote indigenous varieties of Serbia continues and we have had the opportunity to present Prokupac at DWCC conference in Plovdiv. People, wine and events described in posts on this website constitute a panorama of contemporary wine scene in Serbia where wine production is currently undergoing a revolution. On this occasion, I look back at the past year and pick 10 most important events on the wine scene in Serbia in 2015: 1. Budimir Winery from Aleksandrovac has contributed greatly to a better understanding of Tamjanika from Župa. For the first time ever, wine connoisseurs and the media were invited for vertical tasting of Tamjanika Budimir 2009-2013, which showed that "the Queen of Župa" should not be underestimated. ( http://www.vinopedia.rs/?p=4812&lang=en  ) 2. Another argument in favour of the claim that the age of Tamjanika is coming is the first sparkling wine produced from Tamjanika grapes and released on the market by Temet Winery from Jagodina (Central Serbia) at the Wine Salon in December 2015. Temet Winery with its innovative approach in the cellar and high quality wines definitely pushed the boundaries in Serbian wine production. 3. Our local variety Morava started its journey of international recognition beyond the borders of Serbia. Since the early days when Jelić Winery from Valjevo (West Serbia) stood as the sole promoter of Morava's bright future, we have come to the present situation that growing number of winemakers is planting this variety in the vineyards. This year, Despotika Winery launched on the market its Morava 2014. In cooperation with website vinopedia.rs, Morava 2014 produced by Despotika Winery was presented at Masterclass workshop dedicated to wines from the Danube countries. The wines at the Masterclass were presented by Caroline Gilby MW at the wine festival ROVINHUD in Timisoara (Romania). And Morava certainly stirred some attention given that the wine was subsequently rated 16.5 (a score ranging between distinguished and superior) at the Jancis Robinson's website. 4. This year, the story about Prokupac continues. The wine that definitely contributed to further promotion of Prokupac as the flagship Serbian variety is Prokupac Boje Lila 2009 made by Budimir Winery. Wine made from grapes originating from the old vineyards on Gubovac hill in Župa. Wine that makes Serbian winelovers feel proud of. ( http://www.vinopedia.rs/?p=5065&lang=en  ) 5. The town of Sombor in the north of Serbia has shown this year the direction where the local wine scene is heading. Unpretentiously,  from the perimeter, small vintners from Sombor made a breakthrough on the wine scene with improved quality of wines made from unique varieties in Serbian vineyards and with distinct identity compared to other Serbian wine regions. If this example is understood as an indicator of a trend for the future, then we can conclude that small wine regions whose recognition is still pending will emerge on the wine scene in the near future ... Stay tuned! 6. In 2015, Serbia got its first amphora wine. Malča Winery from Niš (South Serbia) launched on the market amphora wines and thus started a new trend in Serbian wine-making which is now followed by much better-known wineries from Fruška Gora. (  http://www.vinopedia.rs/?p=4893&lang=en  ) 7. The region of Negotinska Krajina is already appreciated for its wines that have been winning awards in numerous competitions. One of the best regions in Serbia for Cabernet Sauvignon. This year's workshop Wine Identity has shown potential of Negotin Cab. (  http://www.vinopedia.rs/?p=4866&lang=en  ) 8. Kragujevac was a proof in 2015 that the epicenter of wine culture moved outside Belgrade. Šumadija Wine Salon in Kragujevac, organized by the Wine Knights’ Order of Šumadija,came as a pleasant surprise both for visitors and participating wineries. The Wine Salon showed that following Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš, the city of Kragujevac also nurtured a circle of wine admirers that recognize and appreciate good wines. Also, the first specialized wine shop has opened in the city. In 2015, Kragujevac also welcomed the local Šumadija Sommelier Association which operates as part of national SERSA organization. 9. Radovanović Cellar from Krnjevo has celebrated its 25^th anniversary. It is not a mistake to say that this jubilee is in fact the celebration of 25 years of modern Serbian winemaking because this winery was among the pioneers who initiated the story about modern wine production in Serbia in the form as we know it today. Army of young wine lovers discovered the beauty of Cabernet Sauvignon thanks to Mija's Cabernet. The reputation and the quality of the wine from Radovanović Cellar is still maintained although a quarter of a century has passed. 10. This year we regretfully received the news about the bankruptcy of Vršački Vinogradi (Vršac Vineyards). To the largest extent due to lack of entrepreneurial spirit and ideas to transform the wine giant from the period of former Yugoslavia and the lack of political will to secure future for 1700 hectares of vineyards. However, it will remain recorded in the wine chronicles that the first Banat Riesling was made in Vršački Vinogradi back in 1926 and its varietal composition was pure Kreaca. We’re starting a new chapter and entering the year 2016 with a lot of optimism ... Serbian winemakers are preparing new surprises and telling stories about the country, climate, vines and people. Cheers!    

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