Wine regions

Wine regions / 01/23/2019 / 1584

SOUTH METOHIJA

South Metohija wine region extends in the area of Southwestern Kosovo and Metohija, on the territory of municipalities of Djakovica, Orahovac, Prizren and Suva Reka. It comprises 5 sub-regions: Djakovica, Orahovac, Prizren, Suva Reka and Mališevo, with the largest area covered with vineyards in Orahovac.

Soil: The predominant soil types are Vertisol and Fluvisol, but other soil types such as Humus-Silicate soil are also present.

Vineyards spread on altitude ranging from 300 to 600 meters, at moderately steep to gentle slopes of terrain.

South Metohija wine region is surrounded by mountains: from the north Grebnička Mountain (733m), from the northeast Drenica (1025m) and Crnoljevo (1177m), from the southeast Žar (1694m) and Ošljak (2212m), whilst Koritnik Mountain (2393m) extends on the southern side. This wine region is located in the sub-Mediterranean belt. The largest river is the Beli Drim, and the region also includes Vrbnik and Radonjić lakes.

Interesting trivia:

- The territory of Kosovo and Metohija is specific because the local Albanian population declared independence in 2008 and struggles to gain as many features of an independent state as possible. On the other hand, the Republic of Serbia does not accept this independence which is not recognized by the United Nations, so it is still considered as an autonomous province within Serbia. Therefore, for local Serbs, Kosovo and Metohija is still part of Serbia, and for local Albanians Kosovo is an independent republic. As a consequence, Kosovo's wine industry is governed by two laws: the Serbian Law on Wine defining two wine regions (North Metohija and South Metohija) and the Kosovo Wine Law adopted by local Albanians and also defining two wine regions (Dukagjini Region and the Kosovo Plain Region) ). Kosovo Serbs aligned their wine production with Serbian laws, while Albanian wineries aligned their production with Kosovo law.

- In 1988, there were 9,000 hectares of vineyards in Kosovo and Metohija. The current area under vineyards in Kosovo and Metohija is 3,220 hectares.

- The most common white grape varieties in Kosovo and Metohija are: Smederevka (45% i.e. 358 hectares), Italian Riesling (28% i.e. 218 hectares), Chardonnay (13% i.e. 106 hectares), Rhine Riesling (6% i.e. 48 hectares) ), Župljanka (3% i.e. 26 hectares).

- The most common black grape varieties in Kosovo and Metohija are: Vranac (26% i.e. 447 hectares), Prokupac (25% i.e. 401 hectares), Gamay (18% i.e. 289 hectares), Pinot Noir (11% i.e. 112 hectares).

 




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Tomislav Ivanović

Awarded wine writer, wine critic and contributor to selected wine magazines. WSET3-certified author and editor-in-chief of www.vinopedia.rs. Member of Vojvodina Sommelier Association. Juror in national and international wine competitions. Lecturing about wines of Serbia and the Balkans. Local partner of Wine Mosaic organization. Co-founder of International Prokupac Day.

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