Republic of Serbia

Republic of Serbia Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Department for Primary Production and Processing www.minpolj.sr.gov.yu

REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

OVERVIEW

OF SERBIAN VINE GROWING AND WINE PRODUCTION May, 2007

Introduction

The Republic of Serbia has extremely good agro-ecological conditions for vine growing and wine production. Thanks to beneficial climatic and soil conditions and to the importance given to the wine in its territories, Serbia has a long tradition of wine growing and wine production. Geographically the territory of Serbia is located between 42o and 46o of the northern latitude and 19o and 22o northern longitude with a temperate climate.

Serbian Viticulture Regions

Beside the good agro-ecological conditions, in Serbia, there are agile and capable winegrowers and production of high-quality planting material of grapevine in different regions. Although there are nine viticulture regions with the main vineyard area in Central Serbia: 1. Timočki, 2. Niško-Južnomoravski, 3. Zapadnomoravski, 4. Šumadijsko–Velikomoravski, 5. Pocerski, 6. Sremski, 7. Banatski, 8. Subotičko-Horgoški, 9. Kosovski.

Timočki Viticulture Region The Timok Krajina region is situated in the eastern part of Serbia and region's climate is characterised with very warm summers and cold winters. Dominant types of soil are alluvial deposits, lake sediments and eruptive rocks, and limestone. Of autochthonous and old varieties grown in the Negotin area, there are Bagrina, Začinak, Prokupac and Vranac. Prokupac, Vranac and Plovdina are autochthonous old varieties cultivated today in Knjaževac viticulture area, in addition to numerous other top varieties, which easily adapt to this

2 type of soil and climate. The old variety has been replaced by Italian Riesling, Sauvignon, Semillon and Pinot Noir. With their rich winemaking history and striking “pimnice”, the neighboring villages of Rajac, Rogljevo and Smedovac form a separate part of the Negotin Krajina vineyards. The villages also boast the most fragrant red wines, which are a happy mix of good soil, abundant sunshine and a 150-250 meter altitude. Of Timocka Krajina wines, the Prokupac, Pinot Noir and Gamay red wines are renowned. These wines are intense red in color and are distinguished by pleasant tastes and bouquets. Of white wines, Bagrina, Semillon, Italian Riesling, Sauvignon and Smederevka are well known. Knjaževac viniculture area belong to the Timok region, being located in the basin of the Timok River and its tributaries. The area's moderate-continental climate, characterized by warms summers and cold winters, with over 300 sunny days per year, is favorable for grapevine cultivation. The region's three dominant soil types include alluvial deposits, lake sediments, and soils that developed on eruptive rocks and limestone.

Zapadnomoravski Viticulture Region Zapadnomoravski viticulture region and Župa viticulture area (with 2.500 hectares) today is famous for its vineyards and hard-working viticulturists, as its geographic, climatic and pedologic factors make it one of the most favorable areas for vine growing and wine production in Serbia. Vineyards in this region are situated in western Serbia, in the basin of the West Morava River and its tributaries. Tamjanika and Prokupac, the oldest native Serbian grape varieties, are grown in Župa its vicinity. Prokupac, also known as Rskavac, is a thousand-years-old cultivar, while Tamjanika, a muscatel originating from France, has been grown in Serbia for over 500 years. Other varieties include Župski Bojadiser, Smederevka, Italian Riesling Sauvignon, Semillon, Župljanka, Chardonnay and Neoplanta. Župa viticulture area is a renowned viticultural area in Serbia, with gentle, rolling hills whose south and southeast exposures are particularly suitable for vine cultivation. The region's dominant soil types are also very favorable for cultivation of grapevine. They include carbonate soils, chernozem, smonitza (vertisol), and eutric cambisol.

Šumadijsko–Velikomoravski Viticulture Region This region is bordered by the Danube River on the north and included all Velika Morava river basin and Šumadija administrative region. The vineyards mostly occupy south and southeast exposures. The climate records regular fluctuations. The dominant soils include smonitza (vertisol), eutric cambisol, parapodsol, and other types of soil in Šumadija and eutric cambisol and smonitza in the Danube region. The favorable climate, the texture and configuration of soil, and exceptionally favorable viticultural factors provided excellent conditions in Šumadija for growing the Prokupac and Vranac autochthonous varieties and the old Smederevka variety. Prokupac yields exceptionally good wines. Blended with top varieties, they resemble French wines. Smederevka is the leading variety in vineyards near of Danube river, grown here from the time immemorial. It got its name by the town in whose vineyards it is largely grown. The wines obtained from Smederevka are pleasant and energizing, and are even better when blended with high-quality Riesling, Semillon, and Pinot Blanc. Apart from Smederevka, the area produces other noteworthy wines, such as those obtained from Italian Riesling, Sauvignon, Semillon and Traminer. The quality red varieties include Gamay and Ružica types that are obtained from the Prokupac variety.

Sremski (Fruska Gora Mt.) Viticulture Region

3 In this area, vineyards spread over the slanting terrains, plateaux and slopes of Mt. Fruška Gora, and the vicinity of the Danube is most beneficial. The dominant soil types include pararedzina, chernozem and eutric cambisol. Loess is the dominant subsoil. The continental climate conditions a seven-month vegetation and a five-month winter dormancy of the grapevine. Vranac is the autochthonous variety grown on Mt. Fruška Gora, Portugieser is an old variety, used in the past for the production of the Bermet and Ausbruch wines, and of local crossbred varieties, there are Župljanka (Prokupac and Pinot Noir), Neoplanta (Smederevka and Traminer), Sila (Kevedinka and Chardonnay), etc. Due to the geographic position, the vicinity of the Danube, micro-climate and the reflection of light from the surface of the Danube, the grapes ripen earlier here, with grape sugar levels by 2% higher than in other viticultural areas in the north Serbia. The air currents that arrive from the water in the winter have a beneficial impact on the grapevine, which doesn't freeze, while the reflection of light creates an extraordinary micro-climate in the summer, which raises the level of sugar in grapes. Mt. Fruška Gora produces Italian Riesling, and more than half of local vineyards are planted with this variety. The area's best known wines are Fruška Gora Riesling, Italian Riesling, Rhine Riesling, Župljanka, Traminac, Bouvier, Frankovka, Plemenka, Silvanac Zeleni, Portuguiser, and the specific flavored Bermet.

Banatski Viticulture Region (with Vršac Viticulture Area) Vršac vineyards spread on a hilly terrain around Vršac town, on the far west slopes of the Carpathians. Vršački Vinogradi (Vršac vineyards) holds over 1.700 hectares of plantations, while the entire area has a total of 2.100 hectares under grapevine. Dominant types of soil include smonitza, eutric cambisol and dilluvial soils with quicksand. The climate in the area is typically continental. The autochthonous and old varieties, include Župljanka, Smederevka, Chasselas, Rkaciteli, and Kreaca. Kreaca (Kreazer) is an ancient white grapevine - an autochthonous Vršac variety. It used to be grown all over the Banat plain. White varieties dominate Vršac vineyards - red varieties are rarely found. Of many top quality wines produced in the region, Muscat Otonel, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Rhine and Italian Riesling stand out. The Banatski Rizling white table wine is very popular. It is a blend of Italian Riesling, Smederevka, Župljanka and Kreaca.

Subotičko-Horgoški Viticulture Region The Subotica-Horgoš sands spread on 24.000 hectares, almost all suitable for vine growing. The area is dominated by sandy soils and quicksand, various clayey soils, chernozem on sandy soil, and brown steppe soils. The terrain configuration is either flat or in rolling plateaux. The climate is typically continental, with a chance of polar fronts during the winter thanks to the terrain configuration. Certain ancient varieties are traditionally grown on sands. Earlier, this was the case with the Kedarka variety, and today, it is the case with the Kevedinka variety and Muscat Krokan near Novi Bečej. The varieties predominantly grown in new vineyards include the Italian Riesling, Rhine Riesling and Chardonnay. The area's recommended white varieties are Italian Riesling, Župljanka, Pinot Blanc, Ezerjó, Čoka's Muscat Otonel and Semillon, and Muscat Krokan from Biserno Ostrvo, while renowned red varieties include Merlot, Frankovka, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. The sandy terrain, moderate continental climate and high-quality vines yield very potable wines with harmonious tastes and gentle bouquets.

4 Varieties

One of the strength in viticulture of Serbia is a wide spectrum of the varieties, and strong breeder program. There are in using about 50 new created domestic varieties and many local and international varieties.

Main white wine varieties in Serbia: - International white varieties: Riesling, Sauvignon, Riesling italico, Chardonnay, Traminer, Pinot blanc, P. gris, Semillon, etc. - Local white varieties: Tamjanika, Smederevka, Kreaca, Plovdina, etc. - Domestic new created varieties: * Neoplanta * Sirmium * Župljanka * Kladovska bela * Godominka * Sila * Nova Dinka * Lela (in.sp.) * Liza (in.sp.) * Lucija (in.sp.) * Mediana * Mila (in.sp.) * Petra (in.sp.) * Rani Rizling (in.sp.) * Zlata (in.sp.) * Kosmopolita * Petka * Backa * Rubinka * Morava * Panonia * Riesling italico, clon SK-13 * Riesling italico, clon SK-54 * Riesling italico, clon SK-61

Main coloured wine varieties in Serbia: - International coloured varieties: Pinot noir, Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Merlot, Limberger, Gamay, Portugieser, etc. - Local coloured varieties: Prokupac, Vranac, Skadarka, etc. - Domestic new created varieties: * Jagodinka * Župski bojadiser * Krajinski bojadiser * Rumenika * Srpski rubin * Probus * Evita (in.sp.) * Negotinka

5 Main table grape varieties in Serbia: - International and local table varieties: Muscat hamburg, Cardinal, Italia, Afus Ali, Chasselas, Thompson seedless, Ljana, Moldova, Muscat plevenski, etc. - Domestic new created table varieties: * Beogradska besemena * Beogradska rana * Biserka rana * Grocanka * Negotinski rubin * Radmilovacki muskat * Antigona * Demir Kapija * Kosovska rana * Opuzenska rana * Povardarska pozna * Smederevski muskat * Banatski muskat * Kavadarski drenak * Lasta (in.sp.) * Srbija * Karmen

Main Vine Varieties Breeder and Viticulture and Ecological Research Centres - Faculty of Agriculture (Belgrade-Zemun) – Research Center for Students (Radmilovac) Poljoprivredni fakultet Beograd – Zemun, Skolsko ogledno dobro Radmilovac, 11307 Vinca, Smederevski put b.b.

- Faculty of Agriculture (Novi Sad) – Department for Viticulture and Wine Production (Sremki Karloci) Departman za vinogradarstvo i vinarstvo – Sremski Karlovci, Poljoprivredni fakultet, 21000 Novi Sad, Dositeja Obradovica 8.

- Center for Viticulture and Enology (Nis) Centar za vinogradarstvo i vinarstvo Nis, 18000 Niš, Kolonija EI br. 6

Vine Growing and Wine Production Data

According of State Statistical Office data for 2006, the total vineyard surface of Serbia (without Kosovo and Metohija) is 64.385 hectares and total wine production is around 2 million hl. The grape and wine production is formed by the former state sector as well as the private property of landowners. The former state sector includes 8,5% of the total area under vineyards and the areas under vineyards possessed by landowners amounts to 91,5%.

6 The number of productive grapevines is around 322 million for 2006, with the average production of 1,2 kg per grapevine, and the total average production of grapes around 360 000t. When we are talking about the former social (state) sector and its large areas we basically have a plantation system of production, while in the private sector we have small and fragmented areas. Serbian Vineyard Area (000 ha) 160 The production of grapes is developed 140 in accordance with the 120 socio-eco. development 100 of Serbia and the 80 possibilities of wine 60 export. Until 1990 it has 40 been recorded a constant decrease of 20 areas under vineyards, 0 as well as increase in ...... 5 5 5 5 5 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 9 6 7 8 9 9 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 production and 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 significant export of wines. The biggest capacities for grape processing and wine production are in the former state (now privatised) establishments: "Vršački vinogradi" Vršac, "Navip" Zemun, "Rubin" Kruševac, Podrum "Palic", etc. as well as another wine cellars of medium capacity. Serbian statistics distinguish between “industrial” production in large-scale wineries (former social producers) for commercial sale, and “agricultural” production on farms, much of it intended for home consumption or informal sale. Data on both sectors are given below:

Wine production: industrial and agriculture sectors (in hectolitres) Year 2001. 2002. 2003. 2004. 2005. 2006. Agriculture 1.548.123 1.498.054 1.652.849 1.571.560 938.042 1.291.838 Industry 558.745 452.254 631.248 763.944 363.039 436.904 Total 2.106.868 1.950.308 2.284.097 2.335.504 1.301.081 1.728.742 Data source: State Statistical Office for Serbia without Kosovo and Metohija (2006)

Industrial sector covered big wine systems, and it can be seen that three-quarters of wine production takes place in the so-called “agricultural sector”, but bout of them are producing quality wines with geographical indications.

7 Trade

In the last years, the import of wine to Serbia is bigger than export and Serbia mainly trades with other countries (former FTA countries), where the biggest quantities are imported from Macedonia – around 94% (2006) and of the total, Slovenia, Italy, France, etc. Data for the total trade of wine over the last four years are shown in the following table:

Imports & exports of wine, 2002-2006 Year Export Import

Quantity hl € Quantity hl € 2002 49.887,18 2.698.78 135.608,39 7.658.806 5 2003 57.034,29 3.624.15 81.113,58 6.603.326 7 2004 87.913,58 6.785.85 135.529,83 8.983.282 1 2005 78.355,19 7.221.99 123.115,86 8.450.182 7 2006 83.685,78 6.704.647 221.234,78 12.416.961 Data source: State Statistical Office (2006)

Concerning non-EU trade, the majority of imports come from former FTA countries, mainly from Macedonia, and the majority of exports go to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

EXPORT 2005

OTHER COUNTRIES

AUSTRIA

BOSNIA AND GERMANY HERZEGOVINA

Export of Serbian wine (2005), other countries: Croatia, Macedonia, Russian Feder., etc.

Policy, Wine Reform and Support

As it concerns the agriculture policy for viticulture and wine industry its main streams are forwarded toward: - Adopting of new Wine law and continue of legislation harmonization with EU regulations. - Implementation of Vine-Wine Register (Cadastre).

8 - Intensive financial support with existent and new subventions and credits for vineyard planting, vine pillars, wine cellars, wine equipment, mini wine laboratories, machineries, wine tourist facilities. - Intensive support in marketing, wine promotions, package design, exports in the new markets of Serbian wines, affirmation of domestic autochthon vine varieties. - Increasing of production of wine with controlled geographical origin and with trademarks and improvements of domestic wine marketing. - Improving of knowledge in vine growing, wine production and standards thorough special lecturing and extension services. - Establish the laboratories system for wine testing according of EU and O.I.V. standards and protocols. - Actions for pests and diseases control. - Establish the scheme of certification in vine nursery production. - Improving of inspection control of wine production and trade, according of EU standards.

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management is implementing new reform program through future Strategy of vine growing and wine production with main goals: - Increase vineyard areas, - Increase the wine quality and - Improve domestic wine competition.

Designation of origin

There are 40 wine producers which produce wine with designation of origin by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, but only few are applying system of designation of origin : A.D. "Podrum Palić", Palić "Vinski dvor" OD, Hajdukovo D.D. "Sokolac", Novi Bečej D.O.O. "Vinoprodukt Čoka"Subotica A.D. "Vršački vinogradi", Vršac "Navip - Fruškogorac" d.o.o,Petrovaradin Kuzmanović Jovan, Čerević "Vinoprodukt", Neštin Šijački Milan, Novi Sad Kovačević Miroslav, Irig Ačanski Jovan, Banoštor Slavko Kiš, Sremski Karlovci Zemljoradnička zadruga"Fruška Gora", Irig Poqoprivredno preduzeće"Erdevik", Erdevik Stanojević Miloš, Žabari D.P.P.K. "Godomin" Smederevo "Navip - Krnjevo" d.o.o., Krnjevo "Mali podrum - Radovanović", Krnjevo "Navip - Venčački vinogradi" d.o.o, Banja kod Aranđelovca PIK "Oplenac", Topola "Navip-Jagodinski podrumi" d.o.o, Jagodina A.D. "Levač",Rekovac A.D. "Krajina vino", Negotin Podrum vitis vino Jelenković, Goran Jelenković D.P.P.P.K. "Dzervin", Knjaževac

9 Preduzeće "Rubin", Kruševac D.D. "Sloga", Trstenik AD Vino Župa, Aleksandrovac Gvozden Radenković, s. Trnavci PIK "Niš", Niš Zemljoradnička vinogradarska zadruga "Sićevo", Sićevo PIK "Aleksinac", Aleksinac Preduzeće "Prokupac", Prokuplje Preduzeće "Podrumi", Vlasotince Zemljoradnička zadruga"Grdelica", Grdelica "Navip - vinarstvo" D.O.O, Vranje Kosovo and Metohija "Kosovo vino" D.O.O, Mala Kruša "Orvin" D.O.O, Orahovac "Metohija vino" D.O.O., Suva Reka Preduzeće "Bambi 6", Đakovica.