Belgrade Wine Jam has shown that in the wine industry, export products are not only wine or equipment for wineries and vineyards, but the concept of wine event can also be exported abroad with equal success. Distinctive design and identity of the event, precisely targeted visitor profile, successful correlation between wineries and young urban audience resulted in turning Wine Jam into an exciting event on the cultural map of the Serbian capital.And beyond, because Wine Jam events have also spread in Zagreb, Ljubljana and other towns of the region.



In former Yugoslavia, November 29th was one of the most important holidays - the Republic Day ... Times have changed, in the region of former Yugoslavia, this day has lost its symbolism. But this year, Belgrade celebrated its "Day of fine wines & gastronomy" The two-day showcase of selected wineries from former Yugoslavia accompanied with menu highlights of the top Belgrade restaurants.

Belgrade Wine & Dine has been launched by joint efforts of Mixer House and Wine Jam. Location: Belgrade Savamala, part of Belgrade, which is undergoing an eruption of artistic energy and has become creative lifestyle hub of Belgrade. Numerous cafes, music clubs and restaurants in this part of the city determine the character of this part of Belgrade placed between the Sava river and the central railway station as a hub of city's nightlife.


 

This year's Belgrade Wine & Dine fully met the expectations of the organizers. Many visitors, mostly younger audience, brought to my mind words of Angela Muir MW during her Masterclass at the wine festival in Budapest a few years ago: "It impresses me that wine audience in Eastern Europe are mostly young people who will turn to serious wine connoisseurs, highly educated in wines, in a couple of decades, whilst in the UK and West European countries for example, an average wine consumer is already middle-aged. So, it seems to me that the wine scene in Eastern Europe in the coming years will develop much faster than in the West. " In the crowd between exhibitors' stands, one could meet a lot of familiar faces, regular attendees at all events prefixed by the word "wine". But still there were a lot of novices who have just started to explore diversity of the wine world. Worthwhile to say, the Wine & Dine concept and the list of exhibitors attracted a large number of wine media and bloggers from former-Yugoslav republics.



It is interesting that wineries that were awarded trophies at this year's Serbian Wine competition (with the exception of Bjelica Winery) missed this year's Wine & Dine. So, the stars of Wine & Dine were those small and new wineries, which don't often get a fair chance to present their wines at similar events ... The selection of exhibited wines could meet even the most demanding palates, several premieres gave the event a touch of exclusivity, so altogether, Wine & Dine rose above the status of mere trendy wine lover gathering.

1. Virtus Winery is a new winery from Serbia, founded in 2011 in the village of Viteževo, Žabari municipality. Vineyards covering an area of 15ha were planted in 2010, and another 10ha is in preparation. Another proof that Prokupac makes a grand comeback, because this year we've got two new wineries that offer Prokupac wine in their portfolio (Toplički Vinogradi and Virtus). Still young vineyards, but their wines teem with incredible energy, and so does the entire team of winery staff who make ambitious plans for the future.
Very skillfully selected varieties in the wine portfolio: Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Marselan, Prokupac, Pinot Noir ...
Anyhow, a small number of wineries in Serbia have Pinot Grigio vines in their vineyards ... Somehow I secretly expected Temet Winery be the first to bring to the Serbian market "copper-style" Pinot Grigio (in the Italian region of Friuli called "Ramato") , copper-coloured wine ... However, this young winery is the first to start playing with colour and texture of wine made fromPinot Grigio... Virtus Pinot Grigio 2013 has a discreet copper color reflection and I would not be afraid of keeping slightly longer contact with skins in the coming harvest to add more colour and structure to the wine ... Wine from young vineyards, fruity, with notes of tropical fruit, apple, white nectarines ... As vineyards reach maturity, the wine will grow in complexity thanks to nuances and distinctiveness that reflect terroir and micro-location of the vineyard. Finely balanced acidity gives this wine drinkability and freshness.





2. Sremska zelenika 2012 - Maurer Winery - A rare indigenous variety from Serbia, also known under the names Sremska Belina, Szerémi, Zöld Szerémi. The nose is aromatic, breezy floral notes. Wine with fruity-citrus character, whereas aromas of grapefruit, citrus and green apple prevail in the finish. Excellent acidity. Nicely rounded wine.



3. Furmint 2012 – Nagy-Sagmeister Winery – I've had a chance to taste this wine during my first visit to Nagy-Sagmeister Winery in Kanjiža. A reunion with Serbian Furmint reconfirms my desire to popularize this variety on the Serbian market. Lush aromas of ripe fruit, primarily quince, pear, peach with discreet floral note in the background. Excellent acidity, medium body.



4. Kišno vino (Rainy Wine) 2014 - Radovanović Cellar - Year 2014 was extremely difficult in most wine-making regions of Europe. Serbian vineyards did not escape heavy rains that marked this year, especially at a time when the harvest began. And here is the reaction of Mija Radovanović - Kišno vino (Rainy wine) 2014, a blend of Chardonnay and Riesling. A lot of freshness in the glass. Young, light, unpretentious wine. The nose is fruity  with intertwined aromas of citrus, apple and herbal notes. Vibrant acidity.



5. Sauvignon Blanc 2013 - Arsenijević Winery - Great example of Sauvignon Blanc from Šumadija wine region. I keep saying that Šumadija represents a Serbian wine region which provides excellent conditions for Sauvignon Blanc. Complex nose, with plenty of fruity and floral aromas, complemented with mild herbal notes typical of Sauvignon Blanc. Moderate acidity leaves an impression of freshness in the mouth.



6. Arno 2013 - Aleksić Winery - Another great Sauvignon Blanc, but this time from the south of Serbia. On the nose, herbal notes are accompanied with aromas of stone fruit and lemon. Medium-bodied wine. Pleasant acidity. Long fruity juicy finish ...



7. Amanet 2011 - Aleksić Winery - Multi-layered and rich on the nose, a veritable explosion of fruity aromas of plums, blackberries, mint and chocolate wrapped in notes of earth, spice. In the mouth, full-bodied wine, accented tamed tannins. The wine leaves an intense fruity impression in the long finish.



8. Cuvée Piquant 2013 - Kovačević Winery - (varietal composition: 70% Gewurztraminer, 20% Muscat Ottonel, 10% Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris) Slowly, the gap on the market related to wines in the price range from 400 to 600 dinars is getting closed by wines from Serbian wineries. Kovačević Winery presented in this price range their wine Cuvée Piquant 2013, an enchanting blend that will easily attract a lot of fans among people who do not drink wine often. Also, more experienced winelovers will not feel dissatisfied with this wine. It is nicely rounded, skillfully harmonized fruity character with refreshing acidity. And excellent quality / price ratio.



 

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