VITICULTURE AND WINERY IN REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA

The existence of human civilization is inextricably linked to the existence of the vine. Evolution of vines (Vitis vinefeta) is measured by millions of years, where as the evolution of man, to the intelligent Homo sapiens, took hundreds thousands years. There fore, the fact that man has enjoyed and sweet vine fruits since primordial times in indisputable. The creation of the oldest civilizations marked the start of vine growing, the origin of viticulture. Today, viticulture is a whole science that studies the range and technology of viniculture. At the same time, viticulture implies a production activity - from the production of grape seedling material to grapes that as a raw material preserves life for yet another branch - winemaking. In Republic of North Macedonia, the grapevine began to grow under the domination of the Mediterranean civilizations, and the Roman Empire had the greatest influence. In the Byzantine period (until the 7th century) and in the time of Slavic domination the tradition of vine growing continues. In Christian religious customs wine was a symbol of the blood of Christ. During the Turkish Empire (from the 14th to the 20th century) viticulture and winemaking in Republic of North Macedonia experienced stagnation and a change in range. At this time, under the influence of Islamic religion, most varieties of tablecloth were grown. At the beginning of the 20th century, in Macedonia the grapevine is represented on an area of 30,000 ha that was completely destroyed by phylloxera until 1914. This is followed by the restoration of viticulture and the growth trend of the areas under the vine, reaching its maximum in 1981 when 38,759 ha were registered. The success of viticulture and winemaking, above all, is conditioned by the existence of favorable agro-ecological conditions, and those in the Republic of North Macedonia are precisely such and enable the smooth and quality cultivation of many varieties, both table and wine.