Popov Winery secured the "Best of Show" award
In 2023 alone, Popov Winery secured the "Best of Show" award at the "Mundus Vini" competition for its "Kratoshija Reserve 2021," and won gold medals for the wines "Carmenere Grand Reserve 2018" and "Vranec Reserve 2019." At the Decanter 2023 competition, it also earned a silver medal for the "Carmenere Grand Reserve 2018."
Popov Winery has once again claimed the "Best of Show" award for its wine "Kratoshija Grand Reserve 2021" at the "Mundus Vini Summer Tasting 2024" competition, held in Germany in early September. This reaffirms the exceptional quality of their wines and the dedication of the winery's team.
The prestigious "Mundus Vini" competition was established more than 20 years ago and has been one of the most important wine contests in the world ever since. Each year, around 12,000 wines from various wineries around the world participate. A panel of wine experts from 40 countries carefully evaluates each wine. The competition focuses on new vintages, allowing wineries to showcase their latest achievements.
This year's competition was highly competitive, with wineries from all over the world vying for recognition. The competition is segmented by country, allowing for focused evaluation that takes into account regional characteristics and grape varieties.
Popov’s Award-Winning Wine While Italy led the overall ranking this year, Eastern European countries, including North Macedonia, made a significant impact by winning a total of 175 awards. This highlights the growing importance of the region in the global wine scene, with Popov Winery once again standing out for its quality.
In 2023, Popov Winery secured the "Best of Show" award at "Mundus Vini" for its "Kratoshija Reserve 2021," and also won gold medals for "Carmenere Grand Reserve 2018" and "Vranec Reserve 2019." At the Decanter 2023 competition, the winery earned a silver medal for "Carmenere Grand Reserve 2018."
Over the years, Popov Winery has won numerous gold, silver, and bronze medals at prestigious competitions such as "Mundus Vini," "Decanter," "Premium Select Wine Challenge," "Challenge International du Vin," and "Chardonnay du Monde." The winery’s consistent excellence is the result of a rich wine heritage, precise viticultural practices, and a skilled team. This latest recognition at "Mundus Vini" solidifies Popov's position as a favorite in North Macedonia’s growing wine industry and draws attention to the high-quality wines produced in the Tikvesh region.
Key Characteristics of the Award-Winning "Kratoshija Grand Reserve 2021" According to the "Mundus Vini" tasting notes, the "Kratoshija Grand Reserve 2021" is characterized by an exceptionally complex yet balanced aroma. Upon tasting, it reveals traditional notes of red berries, jam, and cherries, balanced with lower notes of coffee, chocolate, spices, and oak. There are also hints of mint and dried fruit, with subtle traces of smoke, creating a perfect balance between gourmet and herbal, woody aromas. The oak aging is evident in the notes of smoke, coffee, and chocolate.
This wine received high marks in all categories at the competition, showcasing its exceptional balance and complexity. The wine's acidity and astringency are well-balanced, contributing to its overall structure and aging potential.
Popov Winery Merges Modern Technology with Traditional Methods Located in Sopot, in the heart of North Macedonia’s and the Balkans’ most renowned wine region, the Tikvesh region, Popov Winery was established in 2001 with a capacity of 150,000 liters and 17 hectares of vineyards. Over the years, the winery has made significant investments in improving the technological processes for grape processing and expanding capacity, as well as in completing and upgrading its human resources.
Today, the winery has 60 hectares of carefully selected and nurtured vineyards, where the grapes ripen in ideal conditions. The high-quality wines produced by Popov Winery represent a blend of modern technology and knowledge with traditional methods that have been used for centuries in the Tikvesh region. Popov’s wines offer a perfect balance of fruity and floral aromas, which are characteristic of the varieties and the terroir.
With an annual production of 200,000-300,000 bottles, the winery ensures the sustainability of strict quality control at every stage of the process. In the future, Popov Winery plans to maintain and further improve the quality of every drop of wine it produces.