Rubin is an interesting case of a former Communist cooperative that went private.Where most wine cooperatives were transferred to private hands during the 1990's, Rubin only went private two years ago.
It's more massive than any former cooperative. They produce five million bottles of liquor each year, three million of which are wine. They buy wine grapes from all over the region, including neighboring Macedonia. They also have vineyards in Kosovo of all places. All of these points make the company sound like any large-scale producer in America and thusly.And it is amazing that even though Rubin produces at such a large scale, their wines are very drinkable and are even quite noteworthy.
Czar Lazar
Named to honor the most revered monarch in Balkans history, this semi-dry red wine has the texture acidity and finish of a Pinot Noir & Prokupac, although lighter bodied. Essence of bing cherry and raspberries palate light tannins, semi dry complex structure with flowers and herbal finish with earthy taste. Pairs well with salmon or chicken.
Czarina Milica
After red after a beloved Balkans monarch, this semi-dry, light-bodied red table wine is somewhat reminiscent of a dry Rose with a hint of strawberry. Very light and airy, it is theideal “beginners’ wine” for the new wine lover. Perfect as an aperitif or with cheese and crackers.
Medvedja Krv
“Bear’s Blood” is a harmonious blend of 2 traditional re varietals, Vranac and Prokupac, for semi-sweet, full bodied red wine with strong essence of forests fruits. Great as an aperitif or paired with lamb, veal or pork.
Ždrepčeva Krv Is one of the oldest wine brands in Serbia. It was made several decades ago and was one of the most popular wines in former Yugoslavia. This wine owns its unique taste to the original coupage of specially selected red sorts (Vranac, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamet, Muscat or Ottonel) cultivated in the top quality black soil. It is interesting that much before the creation of the brand, a wine of similar recipe was sold exclusively in pharmacies due to its healing properties. What distinguishes this wine from other wines in the market is that this is a semisweet Muscat wine. The color of Ždrepčeva krv is also characteristic, because it is ruby red and not deep red, so it resembles the color of stallion blood. This is thanks to the coupage of wine, i.e. mixing of several sorts of wines and not mixing of several sorts of grape. After the Winery privatization the brand reappeared in foreign countries and became the most popular wine in Bosnia and Herzegovina and it was the first major Serbian export product in Croatia. Today this wine can be found in the territory of entire former Yugoslavia, but also in U.S.A., Australia, Switzerland, France, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Holland, Russia and Japan. Zdrepčeva krv is enchanting the true wine aficionados.
