Bitola Region
Bitola vineyards are located in the Pelagonija-Polog region in Macedonia. This wine region is characterized by high temperature differences. The highest temperatures are up to 41.2C, and the minimum to -30.4C.
The average amount of precipitation is about 602 mm per square meter and is abundant with long sunny periods.
The most common red wine varieties in this region include: Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Prokupec and Vranec. The most common white varieties include: Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Žilavka and Smederevka.
Tikvesh Wine Region
Tikvesh wine region is an integral part of the Povardarie wine region, located in the central part of Macedonia. Known for its artificial lake and the towns of Kavadarci and Negotino, Tikvesh is the centre of Macedonian wine production, producing wine for more than 120 years. Located on a fertile plain covering about 2,000 square kilometres in central Macedonia, the Tikvesh vineyard consists of slightly wavy hills with altitude averaging 300 meters above sea level. The climate is characterized by long hot summers and mild and rainy winters, with an average of 460 mm of precipitation per year.
The altitude of the Tikvesh vineyards ranges between 110 and 650 meters. The river Vardar with its tributaries and other rivers cross the valley dividing it on western and eastern part. These two parts are very different in relief, climate, surface water, soil quality, flora and fauna. The eastern part of the valley is dry and sparsely populated, while the western part is fertile and densely populated. The area is also rich in forests, minerals, pastures, vineyards and orchards.
The most common types of wines here are Kratoshija, BURGUNDEC, CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MERLOT, and of the white wines: Smederevka, CHARDONEY, MUSCAT OTONEL, Traminec.
Kichevo Vineyards
Kichevo vineyards are located in the Pelagonija-Polog region in Macedonia. This wine region is characterized by high temperature differences. The highest temperatures are up to 40.5C, and the minimum to -23.6C.
The average amount of precipitation is about 802 mm per square meter and is abundant with long sunny periods.
The most common red wine varieties in this region include: Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Prokupec and Vranec. The most common white varieties include: Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Žilavka and Smederevka.
Kochani and Vinica Vineyards
Kocani-Vinica vineyards are located in the central region of Macedonia – Vardar Valley – where 85% of the total wine production in Macedonia is produced. Kochani and Vinica vineyards cover the cities of Probishtip, Kochani and Vinica. This wine region abounds in low passes and valleys to the west, and covers the areas around the river Bregalnica that are exposed to the Mediterranean climate to the southwest, while the riverbeds of the rivers Kochanska, Zrnovska and Osojnica intersect with the mountain massifs which contribute to mountain climate.
Most of the vineyards are located on wavy land with slight slopes, while a smaller part is located on coastal and steep terrains with an average altitude of 300-500 meters.
The most common red wine varieties in this region include: Vranec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stanušina, Pinot Noir and Kadarka. The most common white varieties include: Chardonnay, Belan, Muscat, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Smederavka, Muscat Ottonel, Temjanika and Žilavka.
Wine Regions
According to the climatic characteristics and the EU classification, Republic of Macedonia is considered a III-C-b zone for growing vines and adopted the oenological rules that apply to this zone. The main feature of this zone is that wines can be acidified, but not enriched, which corresponds to the legislation and current practice of wine production in the country. There is one vineyard region in Macedonia, which can be geographically divided into three regions:
1) Vardar Valley, i.e. the Central Region (former Povardarie viticulture region) – covers about 83% of the total production,
2) Western Region (former Pelagonija-Polog viticulture region) – covers 13% of production and
3) Eastern Region (former Pchinja-Osogovo viticultural region), – covers about 4% of the total production.
The three regions are divided into 16 sub-regions (vineyards) which are characterized by the largest production of wine grapes and wine which takes place in the Tikvesh region. Tikvesh region covers all areas suitable for cultivation of wine grapes in the municipalities of Kavadarci, Negotino and Demir Kapija, as well as parts of the municipalities of Prilep and Veles. Climate conditions in the region allow successful cultivation of different varieties of wine grapes with all stages of grape ripening. Main varieties grown in the region are the red wines of Vranec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Kadarka, the white wines of Chardonnay, Belan, Muscat, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semilon, Smederevka, Rkaceteli, Muscat Ottonel, Temjanika, Žilavka and the rosé wine of Stanushina under different production conditions and different production intensities.
