Albania

Albania - Country Overview (Wine Context)

• Location: Southeastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula, bordering Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Greece, and the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.
• Capital: Tirana.
• Area: 28,748 square kilometres (11,100 square miles).
• Population (2025 est.): About 2.8 million people.

Wine and Viticulture Statistics

• Wine climate: Mediterranean along the coast, transitioning to continental and mountainous climates inland.
• Main wine-growing zones:
• • Zone 1 (Coastal and Lowlands): Delvine, Sarande, Vlore, Fier, Lushnje, Peqin, Kavaje, Durres, Kruje, Kurbin, Lezhe, Shkoder, Koplik.
  • Zone 2 (Central Hills): Mirdita, Mat, Tirane, Elbasan, Berat, Kucove, Gramsh, Mallakaster, Tepelene, Permet, Gjirokaster.
  • Zone 3 (Eastern Highlands): Korca, Pogradec, Librazhd, Peshkopi.
• Vineyard area: Approximately 8,000 to 9,000 hectares.
• Annual wine production: Roughly 15 to 20 million litres.
• Main native white grape varieties: Shesh i Bardhe, Pulese, Debine e Bardhe.
• Main native red grape varieties: Shesh i Zi, Kallmet, Debine e Zeze.
• Wine styles: Dry red and white wines, increasing quality bottled wines, limited sparkling and rose production.

Maps