December is traditionally a period when we look back at the past year and pick successful and less successful events that marked the year on the local wine scene. Vinopedia annually monitors all important events in Serbian wine world, and thus create wine yearbook of Serbia which helps us remember important moments and determine keystones in development of the Serbian wine scene.

Therefore, here is the top 10 selection of major events in 2018. The order is not determined by the importance of the event because they are all equally important for the Serbian wine scene.

1. Association of Serbian Sommeliers – SERSA in November launched a new enterprising project called Balkan Sommelier Challenge. The competition for the title of the best sommelier of the Balkan peninsula has gathered competitors from Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus. This was the best way to send out great images from Serbia and to show that apart from high-quality wines, Serbia also boasts high standards in sommelier service. The joy was immense due to the fact that Vuk Vuletić, a sommelier from Belgrade, won the title of the Best Sommelier of the Balkans.

2. For several years, Serbia has been suffering from “the silver curse” at the international Decanter World Wine Awards. This year, finally, Zvonko Bogdan Winery won the gold with its wine Cuvée No.1 2016 and I hope that in the coming years, even more wineries from Serbia will follow this golden path.

3. Serbian wineries have started this year more agressive presence at international market. Until now, participation at international fairs and events was rather shy and sporadic, as a result of individual efforts or private contacts. This year, Serbian wineries had their stands and presented their wines at the largest and most important European wine fair ProWein in Düsseldorf and Vinitech in Bordeaux. Serbian wines could also be tasted during the Belgrade Wine Salon in Vienna. Natural wine lovers could also find Serbian natural wines from Bikicki Winery and Maurer Winery in Vienna at Orange Wine Fair.

4. The year has also been marked by real expansion of wine shops and bars, which by all means confirms that wine culture in Serbia and the interest of wine consumers continue to grow. During 2018, new wine shops and bars have popped up throughout the city of Belgrade: Vinoteka Savamala, D’Wine Shack in Dorćol, Wine Corner in New Belgrade … Cerpromet wine shop opened another store in Belgrade, this time in Savamala district. The Vine & Pleasure shop has expanded its capacities and opened a modernly equipped tasting room. Even some rather small towns like Kraljevo or Valjevo now have their own wine shops. Wine merchants are the most responsive to every shift in the Serbian wine market and therefore deserve praise.

5. After 10 years in Novi Sad, the Day of Young Wine Portugieser Svatovac, held every year on the third Thursday in November, has started a new phase of its development with even more energy in the heart of Fruška Gora, in the town of Irig. Mačkov Podrum winery promotes the renewed tradition of Fruška Gora with even more enthusiasm, whilst winelovers eagerly await the arrival of young wine from made from Portugieser grapes in November.

6. Župa wineries are increasingly experimenting with wines made from Tamjanika. For a while, winemakers have taught us to appreciate more complex Tamjanika, with fermentation and/or aging in wood… Minić Winery, Ivanović, Čokot … Starting from this year, Yotta Winery from Župa joined this group with its wine Hysteresis 2017 (sur lie, fermentation and aging 9 months in wood).

7. This year, unfortunately, will be remembered by the catastrophic hail that hit Šumadija and caused huge damage to vineyards in the villages of Vinča, Lipovac, then in the area of ​​Velika Plana, Smederevska Palanka, Oplenac…

8. Novi Sad has got its own wine salon. At the Park Hotel in Novi Sad, the Novi Sad Wine Salon has been held for the first time. Winelovers from Novi Sad have discovered a professional wine fair where they can get acquainted with the wine portfolio of Serbian and regional wineries. Another contribution to decentralization of the wine scene and expansion of wine culture outside of Belgrade.

9. Local grape varieties in Serbia are in full swing. New vineyards are rising everywhere, prevailingly with Morava, Prokupac, Tamjanika, Probus, Panonija, Začinak… For the first time, Bagrina from Bukovo has been vinified under the commercial label by Matalj Winery.

10. Merlot has earned its place. Great examples of Merlot wines can be found throughout Serbia, in almost all wine regions. Its popularity grows among local consumers, so we can say that he came out of the shadow of Cabernet Sauvignon.

(09.12.2018)

 

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