Wine Variety: This potent red grape shares DNA with a whole slew of varieties around the Balkan region, where it appears to have been grown for many centuries. Vranac, or Vranec, shares DNA with Tribidrag, a grape that is genetically identical to Zinfandel. Vranac's bunches are compact, the berries thin-skinned: something of a surprise considering how tannic is the wine it produces.  The name of this variety translates as "strong black", referencing the potency and colour of the wine it produces.

Wine Region: The Republic of Macedonia is a landlocked country that used to be part of Yugoslavia. Indeed, greater Macedonia also covered parts of Greece and Bulgaria, too The Greeks still dispute the use of the name. 85% of the country's vineyard area is within the central River Vardar valley; 41% in Tikves, from where comes this wine. It is now thought that this region is the cradle of global wine production. Recent investment has given rise to a resurgence of quality in the Republic of Macedonia.

Wine Producer: Tikves Winery opened its doors 130 years ago and is apparently the largest and oldest winery in south-east Europe. Bought in 2003 by the Texas-based M6 Investment Group, Tikves has been the beneficiary of €30M of new investment and is now a fully modernised winery.  One of their wines, the 2015 Vranec Classic, won a Gold Medal and the Macedonian Trophy at the 2017 International Wine Challenge.