Wine Vision - Schedule of workshops and masterclasses

Applications for masterclasses should be sent to info@winevisionfair.com.

NOVEMBER 23

Hall 1

12:00
Top-Rated Wines from Macedonian Family Wineries 2025
Embark on an exciting journey through the world of small family wineries from North Macedonia, accompanied by a tasting of the highest-rated wines from members of the Association of Macedonian Family Wineries. The session will be guided by wine expert Jadranka Klarić – Kimovska.
Speaker: Jadranka Klarić – Kimovska

An experienced wine expert from North Macedonia and an active participant in the local wine scene for the past two decades, with many years of experience as a lecturer and wine judge.

14:00
How to enter the UK market with Balkan wines?
A practical guide to the British wine market, created by professionals with over three decades of experience on the UK wine scene. What is the true value of local varieties, and how can producers succeed while avoiding common pitfalls?
Speakers: Zsuzsa Toronyi and Caroline Gilby MW

The duo behind the successful agency Wine Communication — Caroline Gilby MW and Hungarian-British wine expert Zsuzsa Toronyi — know the quality and potential of Balkan wine regions inside out.

16:00
Wine Whisperer – secrets of the great sommeliers
Can they really recognize any wine, region, or grape variety? How long do they train and perfect their craft? What happens behind the scenes at world sommelier championships? How do they create perfect wine lists, pair food with wine, and manage wine collections?
Speaker: Vuk Vuletić

Serbia’s most successful sommelier, the only one from the Balkans ever to reach the semifinals of the World Sommelier Championship, and a multiple national titleholder. Today, he applies his skills in the restaurants he manages.

18:00
Wine Discoveries by Decanter
Balkan wines are gaining popularity in the UK, consistently earning impressively high scores — a trend recognized by the renowned Decanter magazine. This is the story of Balkan wine success at the world’s most prestigious wine competition, accompanied by a tasting of highly rated Serbian wines.
Speakers: Claire Cox and Igor Luković

Decanter editor Claire Cox brings extensive experience in the wine industry, including wine auctions, production, communications, and journalism. Igor Luković is the editor of the Serbian magazine Vino & Fino and an international wine judge.

Hall 2

13:00
An Ode to the Traditional Method from Champagne to Balkans
A journey into the world of the Traditional Method — from its roots in Champagne to its growing excellence in the Balkans, led by a winemaker trained in Reims with long-standing experience in the region. Through a curated tasting, we will explore how Balkan producers express their identity with finesse and authenticity.
Speaker: François Botton, Oenologue, University of Reims, Sparkling Wine Expert

Born in the Champagne region, François Botton fell in love with sparkling wines at a young age and went on to study enology in Reims. He has spent many years applying his deep knowledge in Slovenia and across the Balkans, creating outstanding sparkling wines as a consulting oenologist.

15:00
How to Get Twice as Much with Half the Investment?
Smart monitoring and management systems for vineyards and orchards are revolutionizing the way grapes and fruit are grown in Serbia. No longer a vision of the future — they are today’s reality. Experts and winemakers who use these technologies share their experiences, in partnership with Telekom Srbija.
Panel discussion

17:00
The Most Awarded Macedonian Wines – 7 Signatures of Passion and Place
Great wines with a powerful imprint of their unique terroir — winners of high international awards that faithfully reflect the winemakers’ passion and the land they come from — will be presented in a special selection curated by wine expert Zvonko Herceg.
Speaker: Zvonko Herceg

A sommelier, wine educator, and international wine judge, Zvonko Herceg knows Macedonian wines inside and out.

19:00
How to Taste Wine Like a Master of Wine
The title Master of Wine is the most prestigious — and most mysterious — in the wine world. Only a few hundred people worldwide hold this title, and their exams are among the most demanding. The President of the Institute of Masters of Wine himself reveals the secrets behind this elite qualification.

Speaker: Rod Smith MW, President of the Institute of Masters of Wine
Rod Smith MW is a distinguished wine expert based in the south of France and the current President of the Institute of Masters of Wine. He also serves as Regional Chair for Provence at the Decanter World Wine Awards and Director of the Riviera Wine Academy.

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NOVEMBER 24

Hall 1

12:00
Discover Chinese Baijiu
Explore the history, culture, production techniques, and flavor profile of Chinese Baijiu. A professional instructor will guide the audience on a virtual journey through the Chinese regions where Baijiu is produced, introducing their customs and terroirs.
Speaker: Mr. Song Shuyu


14:00
The Fascinating World of Undiscovered Wine Regions
Wine lovers around the world are increasingly curious and open to exotic and previously unknown wine regions, varieties, and traditions. This session is a journey through the fascinating world of outstanding and authentic wines and personal stories from still-undiscovered wine regions.
Speaker: Matthew Horkey

Matthew Horkey is a blogger, influencer, wine expert, and world traveler who explores exotic and unique wine regions across the globe. His work is known under the name Exotic Wine Travel. A true lover of Prokupac!

16:00
Gold Rush – Great Chardonnays of Serbia
The strength, potential, and uniqueness of a terroir are also revealed through international varieties. Chardonnay has found a new home in Serbia, where it shows excellent results—from Subotica, through Fruška Gora and Šumadija, all the way to Negotin and Vranje. A selection of Serbia’s outstanding Chardonnays will be presented by Caroline Gilby MW.
Speaker: Caroline Gilby MW

An influential and widely respected wine expert, Caroline Gilby MW is a true friend of Serbia, whose wines and regions she knows deeply. She currently chairs the Balkan panel at the Decanter WWA competition as well as the Open Balkan Wine Trophy competition.

18:00
Rakija Geography – Types of Rakija by Region
A special workshop dedicated to the richness and diversity of Serbia’s rakija tradition. Through a guided tasting and discussion on history, technology, and culture, visitors will experience four authentic rakija flavors—representing four regions of Serbia: Šumadija, Vojvodina, Western Serbia, and Eastern Serbia.
Moderators: Ilija Malović and Zoran Radoman

Zoran Radoman and Ilija Malović are the authors of the book Rakija and founders of the blog Rakija, Uglavnom (“Rakija, Mostly”). They are experts who have for years researched, documented, and promoted Serbia’s rakija scene.

Hall 2

13:00
Discover Huangjiu and Lujiu
Explore the history, culture, production techniques, and flavor profiles of Chinese Huangjiu (rice wine) and Lujiu (Chinese liqueur). By tasting these selected products, the audience will virtually travel through the Chinese regions where Huangjiu and liqueurs are produced and experience the unique culture behind these beverages.
Speaker: Mr. Wang Xuliang

15:00
Evolution: Rakija in Cocktail Culture
Rakija, as a signature spirit of Serbia and the Balkans, carries centuries of heritage and tells the story of the land and its traditions. Today, this noble spirit plays an increasingly important role in bars and cocktail culture worldwide. Two experienced bartenders from London will create a multisensory cocktail experience!

Speakers: Dimitar Dimitrov and Georgi Radev
Georgi Radev is a renowned bartender, cocktail master, and expert on rum and tiki culture. He is also a great connoisseur of Balkan rakija traditions and the author of Let’s Get Tropical Cocktails.

17:00
Advanced Analytical Solutions for Modern Winemaking
NOACK / CDR WineLab® offers an innovative approach to oenological analysis, combining accuracy, speed, and ease of use in a single system. A practical demonstration of the system will follow the presentation.

Speaker: Dr. Simone Bellassai
Dr. Simone Bellassai is a chemist and oenologist specializing in chemical analysis of food and beverages. He is the Head of the CDR FoodLab® and CDR WineLab® departments.

19:00
Defending Vineyards from Climate Change
A workshop for grape growers and winemakers who wish to build more resilient vineyards. In recent years, we have faced growing climate challenges. Learn how vines respond to drought, how to manage water and soil, and what vineyard practices can ensure healthy vines and exceptional wines.

Speaker: Vukašin Pejović
Atfield Technologies has developed technology that reduces the number of pesticide treatments in vineyards and can predict the potential quality of the harvest.