Heavily-branded varietals – Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon et al – remain important, overall, however, for quality wines the world is moving away from the concentrated styles of the past two decades towards crispness and expression of a differentiated identity.  To the styles of old, perhaps.
Native grape varieties underpin this development, as does ongoing research into how to adapt such grape varieties to places new for them in the face of, for whatever reason, a changing climate.Kosovo could attempt to define itself much as New Zealand – the world’s 50th largest producer – has, by positioning its wines as a niche product based on a pure expression of their signature varieties.  Like New Zealand, however, this will not be enough and the styles would need to become more varied and sophisticated in the long-term.

If we consider what wine is as an ambassador for countries from France to Chile, as well as its central importance for wine economies in central and eastern Europe (and many other higher-profile regions).  If Kosovo can indeed produce and communicate about its own distinctive wines, in styles that are relevant and consistent enough for world markets, the country may indeed succeed. 

James Swann
http://www.dittonwinetraders.co.uk/blog/

Heavily-branded varietals – Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon et al – remain important, overall, however, for quality wines the world is moving away from the concentrated styles of the past two decades towards crispness and expression of a differentiated identity.  To the styles of old, perhaps.
Native grape varieties underpin this development, as does ongoing research into how to adapt such grape varieties to places new for them in the face of, for whatever reason, a changing climate.Kosovo could attempt to define itself much as New Zealand – the world’s 50th largest producer – has, by positioning its wines as a niche product based on a pure expression of their signature varieties.  Like New Zealand, however, this will not be enough and the styles would need to become more varied and sophisticated in the long-term.

If we consider what wine is as an ambassador for countries from France to Chile, as well as its central importance for wine economies in central and eastern Europe (and many other higher-profile regions).  If Kosovo can indeed produce and communicate about its own distinctive wines, in styles that are relevant and consistent enough for world markets, the country may indeed succeed. 

James Swann
http://www.dittonwinetraders.co.uk/blog/