Le Figaro: Albania with the oldest vineyards in Europe

Before I get to Albania, I ask myself 1001 questions about the country. Who does he look like? How do we expect? Are the streets in good condition for our camp? What is the quality of wine?

So many questions that added more than ever to me the desire to explore this puzzling destination of the Balkans known for wine production, bordering Montenegro and Kosovo in the north, Macedonia to the east, and Greece to the south.

With magnificent rugged mountains and snow-covered villages, picturesque beaches and busy towns, Albania is a postcard that must be discovered immediately.

For wine lovers, the many variety of autochthon grapes, vineyards of 10,000 acres [10,000 ha], and traditions of thousands of years marvel and wonder. Revelation.

2300 years a vinedresser

Arriving in Albania in the evening, after more than two hours of border control, fatigue is felt on camping. We decided to walk a few more miles and stop after Shkodra, the main city of the area.

Suddenly, in the center of town, as we were walking without obstacles in two lanes separated from an elevated platform, a white horse appears from nothing, walking on the opposite side over asphalt. With a good reflection, we avoided the beast from the evil. The moment is surrealistic!

To get rid of our emotions, we stop to dine and take advantage of this to learn more about the history of the country's vineyard. Amazing. The killer had developed there since the 5th century. III before Jesus Christ, on the basis of numerous varieties of autochthon grapes that had resisted in the ice age, making Albania one of the oldest wine - producing sites in Europe.

During the 20th century VII, wine production slowed under the influence of Islam, due to lower consumption of alcoholic beverages.

It would have to be expected 1972, during the communist domination, to see Albanian wine production peak by 20,000 hectares.

In the early years, a research institute was established and a programme for the privatisation of vineyard lands was set up to modernise the production of vineyards, increase local grape varieties and establish a market economy.

Starting a new era for Albanian vinery and promise of beautiful discoveries