Little known grape variety found in North Macedonia. Also known as Black Stanušina, the grape is theoretically found in vineyards throughout Macedonia, however, most known plantings are found in the Dimir Kapija area of the Tikveš region in North Macedonia. From what we know, it tends to ripen in early October and is highly resistant to drought. It’s also delicate and once picked, it needs a lot of attention in the cellar to produce good wine.
Like many old Balkan grapes, Stanušina was allowed to disappear during the communist period in favour of varieties with high yields.
Stanušina produces light red wines with rustic red fruit and fresh vibrant acidity. I have seen it produced as a white, rose and red wine. The wines are typically very fresh and elegant, with raspberry, wild strawberry and red currant flavours, silky tannins and exceptional refreshing acidity. It is a brilliant partner to local Balkan dishes such as Sarma or stuffed bell peppers. The rose produced by Popova Kula is a very attractive salmon colour.
Jordan Trajkov's Popova Kula has invested time, energy and money into protecting the variety. One fears without this commitment the grape could still disappear. It is still early days for this variety's re-emergence, but one hopes that more producers in Macedonia will attempt to ensure Stanušina makes a comeback.
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