It is time to celebrate one of the gems of Serbia’s winemaking heritage, the beloved indigenous red variety, #Prokupac! October 14th is a day to raise our glasses high and celebrate this beloved indigenous red variety. I will do this by sharing one of my posts, about an earlier visit to Serbia to celebrate International Prokupac Day.
If you look closely at a Serbian winemaker’s hands it just might tell you a story about the Prokupac grape. Prokupac (Prokoopaz) is a red grape that is taking central stage in the Serbian wine world these days. While this indigenous grape has been known since the middle ages it is only now that Prokupac is receiving the attention, which it so well deserves. October 2017 when I joined a group of #winelovers in Serbia one Prokupac Story became real for me.
After a busy morning filled with rich information about Prokupac's characteristics the afternoon was a time to meet the producers. Prokupac Day 2017 gathering at the Gastrobar, Belgrade was an opportunity to taste more Prokupac wines than I had been introduced to in the morning master sessions for International Prokupac Day.
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| The Hands of Prokupac © Spaswinefood |
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| International Prokupac Day 2017 © Spaswinefood |
Even though the Gastrobar is a small space for the producers to share their wines with guests it some how worked. This Spaswinefood enthusiast arrived early. Despite the congestion my plan was to sample the wines from as many producers as possible.
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| Meeting Prokupac Producers © Spaswinefood |
With determined patience I slowly worked my way around the room sampling wines from each producer. I used my iPhone to take photos and notes, a skill I rely upon at such events. After covering about 80% of the producers I needed to, at least take a break. I found my way to an outside patio where I joined fellow #winelovers to discuss the wines, and/or just chat. Before I did I bought myself a #ProkupacDay 2017 t-shirt. The t-shirt has a stunning design of a winemaker's hands.
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| #ProkupacDay T-Shirts © Spaswinefood |
Prokupac Wine Conversations
I often find that wine discussions lead to better understand, or alternative interpretations. A Romanian friend happened to ask “Did you taste Vinogradi Botunjac wines”. My response was “yes”, and then showed him the pictures of the winemaker and the wines.
I often find that wine discussions lead to better understand, or alternative interpretations. A Romanian friend happened to ask “Did you taste Vinogradi Botunjac wines”. My response was “yes”, and then showed him the pictures of the winemaker and the wines.
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| Vinogradi Botunjac, Sveti Gral Prokupac © Spaswinefood |
These are Sveti Gral Prokupac wines I commented.
I happened to note that he was next to another winemaker. I commented on how helpful they were to each other in sharing their wines, and making sure that I got to sample them. It was then I discovered the winemaker’s hands belong to one of the gentlemen who took the time to share his wines with me.
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| Vinogradi Botunjac, Sveti Gral Prokupac 2016 © Spaswinefood |
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| Vinogradi Botunjac, Sveti Gral Prokupac 2016 © Spaswinefood |
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| Vinarija Milosavljević,Vila Vina Prokupac 2015 © Spaswinefood |
Yes, those hands that communicate so well to the speaker of another language also tell a wine making story. That special story is of Vinarija Milosavljević's Vila Vina's Prokupac. For me it became a very special story of the hands behind the wine.
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| Vinarija Milosavljević, Vila Vina Prokupac © Spaswinefood |
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| Vinarija Milosavljević, Vila Vina Prokupac Wines © Spaswinefood |
My introduction to Prokupac wines that afternoon was so much richer because of my experience of meeting these two winemakers. It is because of the faces behind the wine that Prokupac has transformed itself from an ugly duckling of the wine world into a beautiful swan. It is because of the evolution of wine making that Serbia is now undergoing a rebirth in wine making. Serbia located in Southeastern Europe is the largest of the former Yugoslavia states, and the most productive wine-producing region. Located between the northern latitudes of 41-47, the geographical latitude of major wine making regions in France, this places Serbia in the wine belt. It is however, the special skills of its winemakers that will ensure success.
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| #Prokupac is in Good Hands © Spaswinefood |
Serbian winemaking dates back to prehistory. During the Roman period viticulture was quite rich in this area. Throughout history Serbian vineyards have experienced many major challenges. These challenges include philoxera, world wars, and years under Communist occupation. Despite the earlier challenges the former Yugoslavia was amongst the top ten wine producing countries in the 1970’s. The most recent setback was when Yugoslavia broke up in the 1990’s, followed by an economic decline in Serbia. Since 2000’s winemaking started to recover. In recent years the wine industry has undergone a rebirth, with small and medium size, privately owned wineries entering the market.
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| Tasting Prokupac, Gastropub, Belgrade © Spaswinefood |
My #winelover adventures in Serbia were completely filled with such rich experiences. It was because of those rich experiences that I have better insights into today's Serbian wine making. I invite you to join me in my travels in Serbia and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Twitter and Facebook. I am so looking forward to more on vine-filled explorations in Serbia.
CHEERS!
Sharon
Remembering
October 2017
Belgrade, Serbia
© Spaswinefood
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| The Face and Hands of Prokupac © Spaswinefood |
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