MACEDONIA

CRADLE OF CULTURE, LAND OF NATURE

The Republic of Macedonia is an ancient biblical country, geographically situated in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe. Even though Macedonia is a young state which became independent in 1991, its roots run deep in the history. The name “Macedonia” is in fact the oldest surviving name of a country in the continent of Europe. Archaeological evidence shows that old European civilization flourished in Macedonia between 7000 and 3500 BC. Macedonia is located in the center of the Southern Balkans, north of ancient Greece, east of Illyria, and west of Thrace. The ancient Macedonians were a distinct nation, ethnically, linguistically, and culturally different from their neighbors. The origins of the Macedonians are in the ancient Brygian substratum which occupied the whole of Macedonian territory and in Indo-European superstratum, which settled here at the end of the 2nd millennium.
The Republic of Macedonia remains one of Europe’s last undiscovered wine countries.
Throughout the centuries, the geographic region of Macedonia, which represents a natural crossroads, has been contested by various kingdoms and empires. Macedonia as the Pearl of the Balkans has diverse terrain which matches her rich history. Its national parks showcase the true beauty of the country.
The Republic of Macedonia remains one of Europe’s last undiscovered wine countries: a natural paradise of vineyards, mountains, lakes and rivers, where life moves to a different rhythm, amidst the sprawling grandeur of rich historical ruins and idyllic villages that have remained practically unchanged for centuries.
From Skopje, across Veles, Negotino, Kavadarci and Demir Kapija, all the way to Gevgelija, the road is overflown with immensely vine plantings and numerous wineries, which authentically narrate the century long story of the wine, inextricably connected to these areas.
Macedonia is at the border of Mediterranean and Continental climate, with warm, dry summers and autumns, and relatively stable winters with mild temperatures.
CLIMATE
Macedonia is at the border of Mediterranean and Continental climate, with warm, dry summers and autumns, especially in July and August, there are absolutely extreme maximum temperatures up to
45 C and relatively stable winters with mild temperatures.
The drought index shows that Central region of Macedonia, the Vardar River Valley wine region belongs to the group of arid regions. The amount of rainfall in this region is 40% lower compared to the other part of the territory of Macedonia.Annual rainfalls range from 440mm to 740mm.
TERRAIN
Macedonia is covered by mountainous territory marked by deep basins and valleys. There are three large lakes, Ohrid lake, Prespa lake and Dojran lake, each divided by a frontier line, and the country bisected by the Vardar River. Several low mountains, valleys and ravines are specific relief form in this region of Vardar River Valley region, where major wine production is done. The relief of the valleys in the Vardar geotectonic zone is heterogenic. Morphologically it’s characterized with low altitude, insignificant vertical fragmentation, mild slopes and different geological content (prevailing of clastic rocks). Due to its specific climate, vegetation and hydrographic conditions, Vardar River Valley has soil coverage, with predomination of: aluvial, deluvial, cinemonic soils and rendzinic soils.
• Border countries: Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, Bulgaria & Greece
• Size: 25.7 thousand km2
• Population: 2 million
• CEFTA member (regional free wine trade)
• Candidate status for EU
• EU-MK agro regulative (free wine trade with EU members)