Macedonia / Μακεδονια

Ancient Macedonia (Greek: Makedonia) is located on the north-west shores of the Aegean Sea, in northern Greece. It was an independent kingdom, and under king Philipp II. (359-336 BC) grew to be a major power, ruling over almost the entire Balkan peninsula. His son Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) used Macedonia only as a base for his military campaigns. The Macedonian kings were well known for their great drinking capacity, and it is said that Alexander was allegedly killed by one of his own followers during a drinking party. The empire collapsed in 167 BC, and fell under Roman rule. When the Roman empire was carved up in 395 AD, the province was included in the Byzantine empire. The further development has been changeable, in 1913 the region was split up among Greece, Serbia and Bulgaria, and in 1947 was again split up between Greece and Yugoslavia.

1) The region of Macedonia in Greece, the largest region in Greece with an area of 34.000 square kilometres, it includes the three-fingered Chalkidike peninsula (with the famous monks mountain, Mount Athos)and the regional capital of Thessaloniki, and is eminently suitable for viticulture. The climate differs significantly from that of other wine-growing regions in Greece. The most important grape variety is the red Xynomavro. There are four appellations (OPAP): Amynteon, Côtes de Meliton, Goumenissa and Naoussa. The three largest Greek wine producers, Boutari, Carras and Tsantali have vineyards resp. cellars in the region.

2) The former Yugoslavian province of Makedonija (25.700 km²) gained independence in 1991.