Wine of the Day -

Three Excellent Vranec Wines Under MKD 500

Kievo Kamber 2022, Ovche Pole Wine District, 13,5%
This wine gets its name from the black stallion of the grandfather of Philip, the winery’s owner & enologist. In fact, that is what this Vranec is – powerful, strong, and in this case, tamed. A powerful wine rich in aromas and flavours of dried blueberry, red currant leaf and warm spices such as licorice and cocoa. Elegant and full of freshness on the palate with soft tannins and high acids but in excellent balance. The winery’s own Vranec plantation is at an altitude of 320 m on limestone soil in the village of Dolno Trogerci.
Price: MKD 440 at Fine Wine
89/100 Ivana Simjanovska

Arabeska Vranec 2021, Tikves Wine District, 13,4%
This Vranec is gifted with the purity of fruit that makes it so special. Seductive on the nose with accentuated aromas of violets, peony and overripe damson plum. The palate showcases ripe cherry, velvety tannins and spicy finish. The 31-year-old Vranec plantations are at an altitude of 300 meter on limestone soil and are located in the village of Sopot near Kavadarci in the Tikves Wine District.
Price: 380 MKD Available at specialized wine stores or you can order directly from Kievo winery
89/100 Ivana Simjanovska

Popov Smolnik Vranec 2023, Tikves Wine District, 13,6%
Packed with ripe blackberry, black cherry and plum complemented by vanilla hints.Rich structure with ripe soft tannins. Aged for 3 months in American barriques and 6 months in bottle. The Vranec grapes come from the winery’s own vineyard in the microlocation Smolnik in the village of Sopot.
Price: MKD 410 at Vino Market
89/100 Ivana Simjanovska

Venec Cuvée 56 Reserva 2018, Tikves Wine District

The Cuvee 56 is a dark red wine made from blending Vranec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot varieties from the winery’s own vineyards. This wine is full-bodied, with velvety tannins, harmonic acidity, and a long aftertaste of dark chocolate shavings and freshly-ground cocoa. Aged for 24 months in new French oak barrels,
Available at supermarkets and specialized wine stores such as Vino Market
Price MKD 1750

92/100
Ivana Simjanovska

Podrum Paradzik Stanushina Rosé 2024,
Tikvesh Wine District

Intense, fruity and fresh rosé from Stanushina with accentuated aromas of wild strawberry and redberry fruits.
Equally intense on the palate that shows juicy strawberry and slight bitterness of red grapefruit rind in the aftertaste that adds to the complexity. The grapes come from the village of Begnishte (Livadishte microlocation) at 350 m ASL an old vineyard planted in 1975. A rosé that just won silver at the Open Balkan Wine Trophy 2025.
Available at WineBerry & specialized wine stores.
Price MKD 420

89/100
Ivana Simjanovska

Popov Domaine Vrshnik 2023, Tikves Wine District

An excellent blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer. A wine that surprises with its complexity of citrus fruits and cantaloupe aromas, mouthful, and a taste abundant in melon, red grapefruit peel and accentuated minerality. Wine was aged with less (sur lie) for two months. The grapes come from five years old vineyard from called Vrshnik in the Tikvesh Wine District. Kudos to oenologist Vlatko Anchev. A wine that offers excellent food pairing possibilities & one of the best picks for pairing with trout or other non fatty fish.
Available at Vin-Art, Biblioteka, Bottega del Vino, Fine Wine, other specialized wine stores and bigger supermarkets.
Price: MKD 820 www.wine.mk https://wine.mk/product/popov-winery-domaine-vrshnik-0-75l/

89/100
Ivana Simjanovska

Kievo Kamber 2022, Ovche Pole Wine District, 13,5%

This wine gets its name from the black stallion of the grandfather of Philip, the winery’s owner & enologist. In fact, that is what this Vranec is – powerful, strong, and in this case, tamed. A powerful wine rich in aromas and flavours of dried blueberry, red currant leaf and warm spices such as licorice and cocoa. Elegant and full of freshness on the palate with soft tannins and high acids but in excellent balance. The winery’s own Vranec plantation is at an altitude of 320 m on limestone soil in the village of Dolno Trogerci.
Price: MKD 440 at Fine Wine
89/100 Ivana Simjanovska

Popov Smolnik Vranec 2023, Tikves Wine District, 13,6%
Packed with ripe blackberry, black cherry and plum complemented by vanilla hints.Rich structure with ripe soft tannins. Aged for 3 months in American barriques and 6 months in bottle. The Vranec grapes come from the winery’s own vineyard in the microlocation Smolnik in the village of Sopot.
Price: MKD 410 at Vino Market
89/100 Ivana Simjanovska

Venec Orle Vranec 2016
Another absolute favourite hit last year & not only mine & my circle of wine friends, but also one of the best sellers in the wine stores and restaurants throughout the country. Dry red wine produced from the Vranec variety from the winery’s own 20 year old vineyards located at 500 m altitude in the village of Orle. It is characterized by intense dark red colour and aromas of ripe blackberries, plums, cocoa and tobacco leaves with additional hints of violets, honeycomb and honey. Elegant and full-bodied wine with tamed tannins and harmonic acidity and a long canella aftertaste. Great price value!
Available at Biblioteka, Fine Wine & other specialized wine stores. Price 650 MKD

Tikves Alexandria Cuvee Rosé 2020, WCO Tikves Wine District

Arabeska Vranec 2021, Tikves Wine District, 13,4%
This Vranec is gifted with the purity of fruit that makes it so special. Seductive on the nose with accentuated aromas of violets, peony and overripe damson plum. The palate showcases ripe cherry, velvety tannins and spicy finish. The 31-year-old Vranec plantations are at an altitude of 300 meter on limestone soil and are located in the village of Sopot near Kavadarci in the Tikves Wine District.
Price: 380 MKD Available at specialized wine stores or you can order directly from Kievo winery
89/100 Ivana Simjanovska

Naumchevi Cabernet Sauvignon Barrique 2018, WCO Tikves
Gjorgji Naumchev, the enologist & owner of Naumchevi winery, keeps on surprising by perfecting his wine range year after year. And this Cabernet Sauvignon is no exception. A complex dry wine that opens in layers on the nose and palate- packed with dark forest berries, licorice, cocoa powder and subtle vanilla hints. A full-bodied & luscious wine. It’s a steal for the price as it offers a lot & beyond!
Available at the winery & they also deliver to Skopje & other towns in the country free of charge. Price 500 MKD

Popov Domaine Vrshnik 2019
A wine that surprises with its complexity of citrus fruits and cantaloupe aromas, mouthful, and a taste abundant in melon, red grapefruit peel and accentuated minerality. A blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer. One of the best picks for pairing with trout or other non fatty fish.
Available at Vin-Art, Biblioteka, Bottega del Vino, Fine Wine, other specialized wine stores and bigger supermarkets. Price 465 *

Peshkov Pét-nat Smederevka 2024 – Насадите на оваа смедеревка се лоцирани во селото Ресава, локалитетот Фариш во тиквешкото виногорје, кои Петре ги одгледува органски. Интензивна и свежа на нос и вкус, со бисерни меурчиња кои меко го голицкаат непцето, богата во ароми и вкусови на зелено сочно јаболка, огрозд и зелен лимон. Available at specialized wine stores and wine.mk.
Price MKD 465 at wine.mk

Popov Gewürztraminer Vrshnik 2019, WCGO Tikves Wine District

This Gewürztraminer won gold at this year’s spring tasting at Mundus Vini in Germany and for one reason only- it is outstanding! It is a dry wine characterized by crystal medium yellow colour. It’s fresh and aromatic, intense perfume like on the nose with aromas of white cherry tree, lilies blossoms and roses. The taste is as intense with luscious lychee, passion fruit and honey suckle flavours allied to zesty acidity with a long lingering spicy aftertaste. Available at bigger supermarkets, VinArt, Biblioteka, Fine Wine, other specialized wine stores and wine.mk. *Price MKD 465 at wine.mk

Eros Winery P’na Mesecina (Full Moon) Muscat Ottonel 2019
The wine got its name due to the fact that the grapes were harvested during night time on Full Moon. Dry young wine made from Muscat Ottonel. Unfiltered & unstabilized, just ready to be consumed. Light-bodied wine with muscat & citrus fruit aromas. Pairs excellently with pear & baby spinach salad as well as light fresh vegetable pasta.
Available only from the winery (they also deliver to Skopje with no charge) Price 270 MKD

Tikves Alexandria Cuvee Rosé 2020, WCO Tikves Wine District

A rose that a few days ago won gold & special prize just at Citadelles du Vin 2021, wine competition held in Bourg sur Gironde, near Bordeaux. It is a blend (cuvée) of Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Dry rosé wine with pale salmon color and intense aromas of roses, stone fruits and subtle raspberry hints. The palate shows off with crunchy cherries and red grapefruit flavors with hints of orange zest accompanied by crispy acidity. Available at bigger supermarkets, specialized wine stores and wine.mk *Price MKD 450 at wine.mk

Tikves Barovo White 2019
As of 2017 vintage, Tikves has changed the previously well known blend of Chardonnay & Belan (Grenache Blanc) to 100% Sauvignon Blanc for their Barovo White. The Sauvignon Blanc grapes come from the Barovo vineyards (as of recently known as Domaine Barovo) located at 700m ABSL. The wine was aged in French oak barrels On the palate you can notice mineral flint, apricot, spicy-white pepper, toast and vanilla, exhibiting a medium lingering finish.
Available at bigger supermarkets & wine stores. Price 1400 MKD *

Lazar Pearl Frizzante Brut Rosé, WCO Tikves Wine District
In addition to their Lazar Pearl, Lazar winery has as of recently added Pearl Rose as well. A lovely pale pink colour marks this dry sparkler. Harmonious, fresh and fruity with abundance of raspberries alongside subtle red grapefruit peel notes. Lovely red berry and red currant flavours on the palate while the soft bubbles and vibrant acidity caress your tasting buds. To be paired with blinis and raspberries or strawberries based sauce, though my favourite pairing was with butter and raspberries. Excellent aperitiff wine and a great pick as a welcoming drink. Available at bigger supermarkets, Biblioteka, other specialized wine stores and wine.mk *Price MKD 495 at wine.mk

Chateau Kamnik Carmenere 2019, WGI Republic of N. Macedonia

New wine from Chateau Kamnik winery that just came out on the market. Lovely crimson colour in the glass where on the nose we are taken by a wave of roasted fleshy red pepper and red cherries. More of that fruitiness we find on the palate allied by bittery dark chocolate, ground cocoa beans and paprika spiciness. Medium-bodied wine with tender tannins and vibrant acidity. The label is custom made by well-known Macedonian painter Mihail Korubin and one that raised too many eyebrows. I personally think it is a great way of elevating both art & wine. Available at Kamnik Wine Store, Biblioteka, Fine Wine, specialized wine stores and wine.mk *Price MKD 1100 at wine.mk