Vranac (), sr-Cyrl, Вранац; mk, Вранец, Vranec) is a red grape variety that originates from

Montenegro ) , image_map = Europe-Montenegro.svg , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Podgorica , coordinates = , largest_city = capital , official_languages = M ...

. It is the most planted grape variety in Montenegro. It is believed to be closely related to

Kratosija Zinfandel (also known as Primitivo) is a variety of black-skinned wine grape. The variety is grown in over 10 percent of California vineyards. DNA analysis has revealed that it is genetically equivalent to the Croatian grapes Crljenak Kaštel ...

. Vranac is considered the most important grape variety in

Montenegro ) , image_map = Europe-Montenegro.svg , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Podgorica , coordinates = , largest_city = capital , official_languages = M ...

and one of the most important in

North Macedonia North Macedonia, ; sq, Maqedonia e Veriut, (Macedonia before February 2019), officially the Republic of North Macedonia,, is a country in Southeast Europe. It gained independence in 1991 as one of the successor states of Yugoslavia. It ...

. It is also grown in regions of Dalmatia (in

Croatia , image_flag = Flag of Croatia.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg , anthem = "Lijepa naša domovino"("Our Beautiful Homeland") , image_map = , map_caption = , capit ...

), Herzegovina,

Kosovo Kosovo ( sq, Kosova or ; sr-Cyrl, Косово ), officially the Republic of Kosovo ( sq, Republika e Kosovës, links=no; sr, Република Косово, Republika Kosovo, links=no), is a partially recognised state in Southeast Euro ...

and south

Serbia Serbia (, ; Serbian: , , ), officially the Republic of Serbia (Serbian: , , ), is a landlocked country in Southeastern and Central Europe, situated at the crossroads of the Pannonian Basin and the Balkans. It shares land borders with Hungar ...

. It has been protected as a Montenegrin geographical indication of origin since 1977. The single largest producer is

Plantaže Plantaže ( cnr, Плантаже, ; MNSEPLAP is a Montenegrin wine and grape brandy producer. Overview ''AD Plantaže'', a joint stock company presently incorporated into Holding company "Agrokombinat 13 jul", is the biggest Montenegrin vitic ...

, based in the Montenegrin capital Podgorica, with Vranac planted on about two thirds of 2,300 hectares of vineyards in the Ćemovsko polje near Podgorica. Other major producers include Macedonian Tikveš and

Stobi Stobi or Stoboi ( grc, Στόβοι, Stóboi; la, Stobi; mk, Стоби, Stobi), was an ancient town of Paeonia, later conquered by Macedon, and finally turned into the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia Salutaris. It is located near ...

. Vranac berries are large and deeply colored, with its dark berries growing on moderately vigorous and very productive vines. The fruit is harvested by hand. Depending on the area, this harvest can begin from mid-September and continue into October. Young Vranac wines have a bright purple hue and a nose full of red berries and fruit jams. Its firm

tannin Tannins (or tannoids) are a class of astringent, polyphenolic biomolecules that bind to and precipitate proteins and various other organic compounds including amino acids and alkaloids. The term ''tannin'' (from Anglo-Norman ''tanner'' ...

structure provides crispness and richness, with medium to high levels of extraction and acidity. After a year or two of aging, the purple develops into an intense dark ruby and the nose develops a more complex aroma that can include hints of cinnamon,

chocolate Chocolate is a food made from roasted and ground cacao seed kernels that is available as a liquid, solid, or paste, either on its own or as a flavoring agent in other foods. Cacao has been consumed in some form since at least the Olmec civ ...

, liquorice, flowers, black fruits, herbs and even woods such as

oak An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus ''Quercus'' (; Latin "oak tree") of the beech family, Fagaceae. There are approximately 500 extant species of oaks. The common name "oak" also appears in the names of species in related genera, notably ''L ...

. The taste is subtle, round, and full. It loses its sharpness and develops a longer and smoother finish.

References

{{reflist Red wine grape varieties Montenegrin wine Grape varieties of Montenegro Macedonian wine Serbian wine Grape varieties of Serbia Wines of Bosnia and Herzegovina Grape varieties of Bosnia and Herzegovina Grape varieties of Croatia