📍 Leskovik

Leskovik is a mountain wine area in south-eastern Albania, in the eastern sub-mountainous zone. The vineyards sit at 750 to 780 metres, face south and grow on limestone. The local white Debinë (Debinë e Bardhë) and the red Mavrud are grown here, and the best-known producer is the Max Mavrud winery.

The Albanian government's agritourism portal and the winery's own site give slightly different figures. The altitude is 750 or 780 metres, and the vineyard area is between 6 and 16 hectares, growing every year. The soil is limestone with a pH of 7.2. The portal says that of six hectares, four hold red grapes and two hold Debinë and Perla for brandy.

The winery has six varieties: Mavrud, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Perla, and white and black Debinë. White Debinë is the Leskovik local. Its wine is dry and fresh, straw-coloured, with yellow fruit and citrus-flower notes. Serve it at 10 to 11 degrees with seafood, pasta or cheese. The red Trio 2021 blends 50 per cent Mavrud, 20 per cent Syrah and 30 per cent Merlot, four months in oak.

The German agency GIZ puts the eastern sub-mountainous zone at 600 to 800 metres. Its climate is cooler and its soils mineral, so wines show high acidity and can age.

Compare it with its neighbours. Korçë belongs to the same zone. Coastal Vlorë lies lower, up to 300 metres. And Southern Albania, to which Leskovik belongs, leans on Debinë and Ceruja, according to GIZ.