Wine Regions of Europe – Montenegro

An ex-Yugoslav republic on the Adriatic coast across from Italy’s Puglia, Montenegro is dry and mountainous, with a Mediterranean climate. Vines grow at up to 2000 feet above sea level. Its two regions are the Lake Skadar Region and the Coastal Zone. Red Vranac accounts for more than half of production, making a fresh, balanced, deeply-colored varietal wine. Kratošija, the local name for Zinfandel, is the number two red grape, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Grenache. Among whites, the locals Kristač and Žižak lead the pack, which includes Chardonnay, the Georgian grape Rkatsateli, Pinot Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc.