📍 Kallmet

Kallmet is a village 11 km north of Lezhë, and the grape named after it is the red that northern Albania is proud of. The sea is 18 km away and Tirana 55. The land is hilly, the spot where the Zadrima plain meets Vela mountain.

Vines grow on slopes with sandy soil. The plots are small, laid out by local families long ago, and some old vines stand in pure sand and are over 30 years old. Part of the harvest comes from the Bukmira hills, above 500 metres. The winery says that centuries ago, local winemaking families, backed by the church, shipped wine away. Old records mention Kallmet wine as a tribute to the Vatican.

In 2006 the Gjini brothers, born here, started Kallmeti winery. It made 50 hectolitres in 2007. Its dry red is 100 percent Kallmet. In the glass the wine is red with violet hues and smells of violets, apples and dark berries. Alcohol runs 12 to 16 percent. It keeps for two to three years. Roast lamb, grilled meat, aged cheese and fërgesë go well with it.

Kallmet is the heart of Northern Albania. Nearby Shkodër also grows the grape, and a 2016 review ties its main production to Lezhë county. Go south to Berat and the star turns white, with Pulës.