Did you know that Albanian wine flows like water.? A country that, although little known from this point of view, has a long winemaking tradition, but at the same time with a short history of wine as an industry. And if until 1991, due to historical vicissitudes, the planted hectares of vineyards were only 2000, today the situation has decidedly improved: 26.000 hectáreas.
The best vineyards in Albania.
Albania is a splendid land that develops between the sea and the mountains, a country on our continent where the climate is temperate throughout the year, allowing produce wines which should not be underestimated at all.
At a general level, the Albanian territory from a wine-growing point of view is divided into four macro-regions that are classified according to the altitude criterion:
- le pianure costiere: raggiungono i 300 meters e circondano le città di Tirana, Kavajë, Durazzo, Scutari, Lezhë, Lushnje, Fier, Valona, ​​​​​​​​Pukë y Delvinë;
- las central hills: the altitude varies from 300 to 600 meters and they are found near Elbasan, Krujë, Gramsh, Berat, Përmet, Librazhd and Mirdita;
- the eastern submontane zone: between 600 and 800 meters above sea level around Pogradec, Korçë, Leskovik and Peshkopi;
- mountainous areas; The vine is grown up to 1000 meters.
Although, honestly, the majority of vineyards are mainly concentrated in mountainous areas, especially in the surrounding areas of Berat, Korçë (Corizza), Pogradec, Përmet, Leskovik, Vlorë (Vlorë), Lezhë (Alessio), Shkodër (Scutari). . .
Between wines and vineyards
In Albania the most cultivated international vines are Merlot, Sangiovese, Barbera, Chardonnay, Primitivo, Tempranillo, Montepulciano, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Moscato, Alicante Bouschet, Tokai, Trebbiano. Then there is native wines widely disseminated, some of which we will discover together.
The town of Shesh with its wine
REVEAL It is a small and charming town located more or less 9 kilometers from the capital, Tirana. Located about 460 meters above sea level, it is famous for the cultivation of a grape called Sheshi Bardhë and Sheshi i Zi (in Italian Sheshi Bianco and Sheshi Nero) that provides the consumer with a high quality wine.
It should be emphasized, however, that REVEAL It also allows you to admire a beautiful natural panorama.
Kallmet with its grape variety with potential
Canes It is a charming village in the municipality of Alessio and a vineyard with great potential is born here. This type of vine is present on approximately 20% of the surface and stands out for being made from red fruits and with an excellent polyphenolic base.
Chicken, still underrated
In the Berat neighborhood, a splendid ancient city declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Pulës is produced, a wine that is still undervalued but has an excellent bouquet and a persistent aftertaste reminiscent of the smell of broom.
Today there are more than 30 large well-known companies that produce wine in the country, although growth in the sector is expected in the coming years. Wineries that, in some cases, have also begun to become known internationally, participating in competitions and fairs.
Therefore, we can affirm that in Albania, thanks to various support policies of the European Community and the initiative of about thirty producers, the The wine sector is expanding. and that the area of ​​land dedicated to vines is increasing. In fact, from international vines to native vines, we are starting to have many options to choose from.
