Here, Europeans first tasted wine 4,000 years BC. Ago. Here Alexander the Great and his father Philip drank fine wine (not mixed with anything) and for wine, Homer uses the Macedonian word "ionos. Macedonian wine fields filled cups of Roman generals and rulers, and with the advent of christianity, red wine to this day is used in rituals as "God's blood". Mediterranean and continental climate influence of Macedonia allow producing of outstanding quality wines with international quality. Macedonian most famous varieties are Vranec and Smederevka,while specific are Prokupec, and Stanushina Zilavka. Brought by macedonian sun are also Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Merlot of the red and Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay of white wines. Also Rkatsiteli, Grenache Blanc, Muscat Ottonel, and Kadarka Semilion are grown.