Miroslav Kovacevic, owner of Vinarija Kovacevic winery - Rose sparkling and commercial wines to be launched soon

(Miroslav Kovacevic)

Wines made by Miroslav Kovacevic from Irig, on the slopes of Fruska Gora, can seem more or less likeable to you, but it is difficult to dispute the fact that Kovacevic's wine story is one of the greatest entrepreneurial success stories in the previous decade. When Putin was coming to Serbia, he was served a wine from Miroslav's wine cellar. His wine was even served when the Serbian government received Angela Merkel, let alone local and regional politicians, which is why some people call him "the government's official winemaker".

In a talk with eKapija, Kovacevic says that although the year 2012 was extremely difficult due to drought, it was also the year that brought many wines to remember.

eKapija: Few years ago you announced that you were going to plant vines on another 40 hectares. How far have you gone with this plan?

- It is true that our plan was to to plant vine on about 40 hectares. However, we were not able to consolidate land lots, which is why we've given up these plans. Instead, this year we rented 65 hectares of vineyards in Petrovaradin, on the other side of Fruska Gora, about 6 kilometers away from the vineyards in our possession.

eKapija: Which wine grape varieties have you chosen? Are there going to be any changes in the wine portfolio?

- We have vineyards in several regions with the quality of each of them being at a high level, but an individual approach to the business is what contributes the most to the quality of our final products.

When it comes to grape varieties, among the white wines we produce are Rhein Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Charrdonnay. We also make the red wine Aurelius (which is a commercial name for Merlot and Cabernet) and use cabernet and sauvignon varieties to make a rose wine. Two years ago we started making a sparkling wine, white and red bermet as well as Charrdonnay Barrique.

eKapija: Is the sparkling wine selling good? Have people got used to a sparkling wine from Serbia?

- One year after Aleksandrovic Winery launched the first Serbian sparkling wine we began making sparkling wines using a traditional method involving secondary fermentation in the bottle. This same method is used to make famous Champagne. Although foreigners like it and love to drink it, our market has not developed yet as consumers are not used to taking a glass of sparkling wine instead of brandy as an aperitif.

Also, this year we will launch a rose sparkling wine.

eKapija: How did last year's unprecedented drought affect your operations? Did you have enough grapes to make wines?

- We had enough grapes, the yield was smaller than usual, the year was very difficult for the business, but we still made some excellent wines in 2012, some of which will be definitely remembered.

eKapija: What are your plans for the following period?

- We've rented the state-owned wine cellar Iriski Podrum, which is now being renovated. This will make it possible for us to keep wines longer in oak barrels of 3,000 and 1,000 liters as well as barriques of 225 liters.

(Vinarija Kovacevic)

So far we have been famous for young wines, given that our wines hit the market early and sell quickly. After the wine cellar is renovated, we will be able to offer our customers the wine that is aged longer in barriques and bottles.

On the other hand, this year we will start selling commercial wines. We are going to launch one white, one red and one rose wine and offer them at somewhat lower prices.

eKapija: Does this automatically mean that the quality of these wines will be much lower?

- That is what people keep asking me. The plan is to make a wine that is a blend of all wines - Charrdonay, Sauvignon, Rhein Riesling, Traminac, Zupljanka. The blends of all these varieties will be offered as commercial wines affordable even to people who usually can't afford wines.

eKapija: Your wines have been among the best-selling wines in our country for years now. What happens with exports? Do you stick to your decision to sell all your products in Serbia and the region?

- We export about 10 percent of the production, mainly to regional countries, with small batches also shipped to Denmark, Belgium, England and Switzerland. In time, when we increase our production capacity, become capable of satisfying the needs of foreign markets, and change Europe's opinion about Serbian wines, we will be able to boost our exports...

(Kovacevic wine house)

eKapija: An increased demand for your wines is also resulting from a trend towards opening wine houses and wine stores...

- Of course. A new wine house opens in Belgrade almost every day. We are now making a wine street in Irig, where between 10 and 15 wine cellars will be renovated and visitors will be able to taste wines from Irig and the region. The plan is to make Irig a real tourist destination, and maybe even the wine tourism center of Serbia.

eKapija: Which wine does Miroslav Kovacevic prefer?

- At the moment, my favorite wine is Sauvignon Blanc from 2012. However, my choice always depends on the situation and the food I am eating.

Jelena Djelic