The Republic of North Macedonia is an exporter of wine as a strategic export product for the country. In terms of export value, wine holds the second position after tobacco.
As a landlocked country in the Balkan Peninsula, North Macedonia is filled with lakes and rivers and a unique climate consisting of both Mediterranean and Continental influences that make it ideal for producing wine.
In the central part of the country, through the Vardar RiverValley region, the roadsides almost overflow with dense vineyards and numerous wineries. These tell the many centuries-long story of wine, which is inextricably connected to these areas. Wine is embedded in the nation’s culture and folklore, and is mentioned in many folk songs, stories, legends and traditions. All the chroniclers of Macedonian folk tales from the 19th and early 20th centuries have recorded that wine was an indispensable part of customs and rituals.
The trend in wine production, however, indicates a certain reduction in quantities, due to the fact that most smaller entities are focused on the production of quality bottled wine.
Macedonian wineries are export-oriented, with increasing sales of bottled wines and changing the past image of the country as a bulk wine source. However, they are also dominant in the domestic market, leaving a small space for imported wines from famous global wine regions. Around 85% of the total production is exported and the vast majority of bottled quality wine is sent to neighbouring Balkan countries, as well in Russia, China, USA and Germany (though a significant amount of bulk wine is still exported to Germany), making wine the country’s second most important export product.
Besides, the planted grape varieties, (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, Chardonnay and Rkaciteli for example) there is one that by far dominates the landscape.VRANEC is what most winemakers place at the forefront of their production.The name Vranec essentially means ‘black stallion’, signalling a wine with power, strength and spirit.
The top 15 wineries are members of the wine body “Wines of Macedonia” abbreviated WoM (Wines of Macedonia), and they work successfully together to represent the country’s wines and wine regions in export markets. The same body participates in creating wine law and appellations to improve quality, together with the Ministry of Agriculture of North Macedonia. At this point, the members of WoM are the main players in the wine business in the country and most of them are especially focusing on producing quality bottled wines. Other wineries are gravitating towards WoM, progressing towards a time when they can join the body and then start to contribute in organizing the wine business and its promotional activities.
North Macedonia is divided into three main wine regions:
Total export of wine almost 67 million liters
