I Heard it through the Grapevine:

The Changing Face Of Montengrin Wine Culture

The Changing Of The Guard

Only a decade ago, if you were to ask where you could find the best wines in Europe, I believe that, without a moment’s hesitation, we could name the three countries you would expect to top that list: France, Italy and Spain … countries with a winemaking heritage stretching back centuries.

Pushing The Boundaries Of Production

en years ago, the typical Montenegrin winemaker was enjoying their golden years of retirement, creating wines solely for the enjoyment of their friends and family. It was a hobby-a personal pleasure to pass lazy days with the drink they loved-rather than an investment in the future.

So, what’s changed?

Well … a new generation of avid, entrepreneurial wine enthusiasts has entered the arena. These are youthful, motivated individuals who, recognizing the potential for Montenegro to expand beyond the traditional Vranac, have travelled, educated themselves, and returned with a fresh take on the endless possibilities for Montenegro to uncork the bottle of its own full bodied success story.

This new breed of sommelier is not interested in maintaining the status quo and simply adding their name to the label of another bottle of heavy, unpalatable red. They are eager to push boundaries, to innovate, to lay the foundations for Montenegro to become a true contender to the traditional European giants.

They are planting greater varieties of grape and experimenting eagerly with each. The result of this innovation is a fantastic selection of modern, elegant wines that would not be out of place atop wine linen table cloths in the very best restaurants of Paris and Rome.

But it does not stop there. Far from complacency, these highly motivated individuals continue to travel and learn. They listen to what it is their customers really want and treat their trade not as a hobby but as a full-time investment. They craft their product with passion, and as a result Montenegro has elevated itself to producing some of the very best wines across the Balkans, and indeed Europe.

With this recent evolution in interest, the opportunity for education has increased hundredfold 100 fold. Wine fairs are regular occurrences across the country and sommelier schools are already educating the next generation, ensuring that wine remains an integral part of culture and life.

THE VERY BEST OF THE

It is unlikely that Montenegro would have crossed your mind among the giants of European wine production. However, ten years on, any wine connoisseur worth their salt will not only be able to name a number of exquisite Montenegrin wineries but will likely be able to recount their own personal exploration into this recently emergent player on the world wine stage.

Wine production has expanded exponentially in recent years, and with it, a new breed of sommelier has emerged…