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Albania

Description to Albania

The Republic of Albania (alb. Shqipëria) on the Balkan Peninsula in south-east Europe with the capital Tirana covers 28,748 km². It borders Montenegro and Kosovo to the north, North Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south. The western border is formed by the coasts of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. The country is divided into 12 qarqe (regions), which in turn are subdivided into 61 bashkie (municipalities). Around half of the country is mountainous with an altitude of over 600 metres.

Albanien - Landkarte, Flagge und Wappen

History

The region is considered one of the cradles of European viticulture. This goes back to the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans. Cultivated viticulture existed in Illyria as early as the 8th century BC. Early Roman authors mention the introduction of a high-yielding Illyrian grape variety to Italy. Greek colonies were founded in the 7th century BC. An independent kingdom of Illyria was established around 350 BC. In the middle of the 2nd century BC, the empire was conquered by the Romans and became the province of Illyricum around 30 BC. From the end of the 4th century AD, it then belonged to the Byzantine Empire for many centuries. From the beginning of the 16th century until independence was gained in 1912, it was under Turkish rule. During this time, viticulture was insignificant due to the ban on alcohol.

Albanien - Berat

Viticulture in modern times

After the Second World War (1939-1945), a new beginning was made with grafted vines planted for the first time. In the interior of the country, there are some terraced vineyards up to 1,300 metres above sea level, making them among the highest in the world. The most important wine-growing areas are Shkodra with the municipality of Kallmet (north-west), the hills around Tirana with the municipality of Lundër (centre), Berat and Përmet (south), Durrës (central east), Korça (south-east) and Lushnja (south-west).

In 2022, the vineyards covered 11,322 hectares and the wine production volume was 228,000 hectolitres. There are many indigenous grape varieties. Important white wine varieties are Aligoté, Debina Kala, Debine e Bardhë, Kryqëz, Mavrud, Pulës, Shesh i Bardhë and Tajka e Bardhë, important red wine varieties are Barbera, Debine e Zezë, Gomaresh, Kallmet, Serina e Zeze, Shesh i Zi and Vlosh. A large quantity of sultanas and table grapes are produced. Around half of the wine is used for the distillation of raki (schnapps), the high-proof pomace brandy "Raki Rrushi" is particularly popular.

Map: © Goruma,
Flag: by Sadik Kaceli, Public domain, Link
Coat of arms: Albania, Kj1595, Public domain, Link
Consultancy: by Raki_Man, CC BY 3.0, Link
Source 1st paragraph: WIKIPEDIA Albania

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