The fifth Wine Vision by Open Balkan took place at the Belgrade Fair from 10 to 12 October. It brought 550 exhibitors from more than 30 countries, with over 800 wines and around 130 rakijas in the competition. The wines were judged by 25 experts from 18 countries, including five Masters of Wine. Here are the winners - feel free to take this list to the wine shop.
Wines
- Best wine of Serbia (national trophy) - Pinot Grigio 2023, Đurđevića Legat
- Best red from international varieties - Kardaš Limited 2021, Aleksić
- Best white from international varieties - Chardonnay 2024, Zvonko Bogdan
- Best white from a local variety - Lupo 2025, La Gora
- Best red from a local variety - Vranac Potkranjski 2020, Jović
- Best sweet wine - Makana 2018, Bikicki
- Best fortified wine - white bermet 2024, Kosović
- Best sparkling wine - Tarpoš Extra Brut 2021
- Best orange wine - Gewurztraminer 2025, Chateau Kamnik (North Macedonia)
If you haven't tried bermet yet, now's the time. It's a fortified wine with herbs and spices, traditional to Fruška Gora and Sremski Karlovci, and a popular gift to take home from Serbia.
Rakijas
The Rakija Trophy featured around 130 rakijas from more than 60 producers, judged by 15 local and international experts. The winners:
- Plum (šljivovica) - Emperus 15, Emperus distillery
- Quince (dunja) - Hubert Dunja, Hubert distillery
- Apricot (kajsija) - Zaplet Kajsija Barik
- Grape (lozovača) - Kamnik 10 Barrels Muskat Hamburg, Kamnik distillery
- Raspberry - Stara Sokolova Malina Lux
- Brandy (vinjak) - Botunjac XO
- Herbal - Arhiva 1982 klekovača, Zarić distillery
Klekovača is plum rakija infused with juniper. Strong, piney and very Balkan. Gold and silver medals also went to the Careva, Alimpić, Zavet and Potpis distilleries.
Where to find them
Many of these bottles are stocked in Belgrade wine shops. For limited editions it's easier to visit the winery itself: Fruška Gora is less than an hour's drive from Belgrade, and autumn is the perfect time to go.
What do you think?
Which of these have you tried? And what's your favourite rakija? Tell us in the comments.
Based on Wine Vision by Open Balkan and Serbian media (Dnevnik, Agronews, NS Reporter), October 2026.
