After years of seeking for different Zinfandel varieties, they reached to the variety called Crljenak Kaštelanski, or Tribidrag, and final¬ly the DNA analysis proved that this is the ex¬act source variety. Nowadays, the story also includes Kratoshija, putting Macedonia in the eye of the publicity, since it is the country where this variety is grown by this name. The cluster of the Kratoshija variety is of medium size, cylindrical and conical in shape and often with one separate rachis, medium compressed or mealy. The berry is medi¬um-sized, round to flat with thick skin and dark blue in colour. Compared to the Vranec variety, Kratoshija has got less amount of sugar, and higher amount of acids. It is quite a versatile variety from the wine style's point of view: from easy and fruity (Beaujolais style), through high percentage of alcohol wines, to sophis¬ticated, complex wines and wines worth for ripening (Bordeaux style). Generally, howev¬er, the best wines are the dry wines with light red colour and violet hue, relatively high per¬centage of alcohol, a little extract, reasonable amount of acids and a fruity aroma that in time will eventually get spicy nuance. It is best combined with all types of barbequed meat and piquant cheese. To end, the fact that Zinfandel, Primitivo, Crljenak Kaštelanski and Kratoshija are the same variety known by different names is indisputable. Still, when grown in different climate and soil conditions, regardless of its name, it produces specific wines that characterize the vineyard where it is grown. All the previously mentioned facts about the origin can finally put an emphasis to the Kratoshija variety, which was unjustifiably forsaken, and now it is time for its glory to only rise and spread.  http://winesofmacedonia.mk/kratoshija/