Albania has one of the oldest wine-making traditions in Europe, dating back to the Bronze Age. During the Roman and Byzantine periods, the country’s wine production increased significantly, although under Ottoman rule there was a decline in production. During the communist dictatorship, there were several operating wineries and grape production sites handled only by the regime (not private owners).
The most common varieties of indigenous Albanian grapes are Shesh (black and white), Kallmet, Vlosh, Serinë, Pulës, Cërujë, Mereshnik, Debin (black and white), Kryqës, Mjaltëz, Mavrud, Manakuq, Kotekë, Vranac, Stambolleshë, Babasan, Tajgë (red and white), etc.
Albanian wines can be divided in four big regions, including the coastal plains, central hilly region, the eastern-sub mountainous region and the mountains.
Before 1990, there were around 23 wineries, with the most well known being ‘Skenderbeu’ winery in Durres. In the last decade, several new wineries are producing excellent quality wines waiting to be discovered.
