A new Napa valley - Macedonian wine - on CNN

CNN's Nic Robertson mets a Macedonian businessman who returns to wine making with a new idea.
In the heart of the Balkans
A sunny, pristine and mountainous country in the heart of the Balkans, the Republic of Macedonia is a centuries-old producer of the regions finest wines.
Macedonia is the birthplace of the Cyrillic Alphabet, created by Saints Cyril and Methody (863 A.D.), and the cradle of Slavonic literacy and literature. Macedonians are renowned for their hospitality and great pride in their country of rich culture and history, exquisite traditional food and excellent wine. The State symbol is a golden sun symbolizing the freedom of the country and its people.
Winemakers' Wisdom
The country's oenological history dates back to ancient times well before the ancient Romans who prized the wines produced by its vineyards.
In the days of former Yugoslavia, Macedonia accounted for two thirds of the total wine production in the country.
Great Grapes
We believe that great wines can only be made from great grapes. Republic of Macedonias varied terrain offers a choice of vineyard locations. The fruit in our reds comes from lower altitude vineyards with rich, heavy, clayfilled soils. In other vineyards, the cooler environment protects the freshness and harmony in the white grape varieties, planted on lighter soils and at higher altitudes. Owing to the extremely favourable climate conditions, our eco-friendly grapes are sprayed only up to a maximum of 4 times a year.
Macedonias vintners bring together the natural advantages of the region with the best of modern winemaking technology to produce the preeminent indigenous variety Vranec (VRANets) and other local and international varieties.
Our Wines
Their flavour and complexity are unique and recognisably Macedonian. The intense aromas are the result of the combined influence of the Mediterranean and continental climates, with warm summer days and cooler nights. The lengthy ripening process concentrates the sugar and acids in the grapes, ensuring rich colours and complex aromas in our wines.
Our Industrys Commitment
The Republic of Macedonia acquired its independence in 1991. In the years that followed, the wine industry has witnessed the emergence of successful privately owned wineries dedicated to the production of wines of excellent quality, flavour and consistency. In recent years, the improvement in quality has been enormous. Wineries have introduced stricter quality control, restricted the types of grapes grown to the best quality indigenous and international varieties, and built modern and efficient cellars.
Today, Macedonian wines rank among the best value and most drinkable wines available anywhere.

http://www.winemk.com/

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