Over 740 million denars of subsides paid to vine growers

The state has paid the subsidies to vine growers and wineries in full. The Government has paid over 740 million denars to 23.500 farmers.

"More than 740 million denars have been paid to vine growers and wineries. Farmers and vine growers in the future can count on the government's support, because the finances are not only significant for vine growers and wineries, but also for the economy in general," Vice PM and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski stated Friday in Negotino.

At a meeting with Negotino businessmen, the FinMin urged them to use the 100 million euros provided through the European Investment Bank.

"I urged them to withdraw finances from the 100 million euros provided through the European Investment Bank. I believe the funds will help companies to endure the new European crisis," Stavreski stated.

Long-term measures taken by the government were also discussed at the meeting as well as the gasification project in Macedonia.

Minister Stavreski said that the Russian market offered a huge potential for export of Macedonian agricultural products, adding that export had been significantly bolstered in recent years.

STOBI Winery Earns Silver in France

Macedonian wineries continue to earn awards and be repeatedly voted as making the world's best wines...

At the 19th international wine competition held at Château des Ravatys in France, Macedonian winery Stobi received a silver medal. At the festival more than 300 wine experts (oenologists) had the utmost difficult task in selecting world's best Chardonnay wines.

Famous wineries from 43 countries presented 908 varieties of Chardonnay wines, which makes Stobi's silver medal the more remarkable.

-This is a huge achievement for us, for our philosophy and approach in making wine, and speaks volumes for the quality of our wine" says visibly pleased Dane Jovanov, Director at Stobi Winery.

Stobi Winery beat out stiff competition from wine makers from Spain, Italy, France, Chile, Australia, New Zealand etc.

Tikvesh Winery hires Croatian beauty for Calendar

Sexy Croatian TV hostess Nikolina Pisek has posed naked for the annual calendar of Tikves, Macedonia's leading wine producer.
Pisek, 33, said the calendar was designed as a fairy tale that she had found very attractive. She added she had enjoyed the shooting but refused to reveal the amount of money she had received.
The Croatian media have reported she received around 50,000 Euros. It was not Pisek’s first cooperation with the well-known Macedonian wine producer. Almost six months ago, she made a TV commercial for their new wine Alexandria.