Ferocious plum brandy is recognised by UNESCO

It is definitely an acquired taste, but Serbia’s national drink sljivovica now has UNESCO world heritage status.

The fierce spirit is made from fermented plums and used to toast births, marriages and mourn deaths. Many Serbian families distill their own versions.

The plum spirit is known as rakija in other parts of the Balkans and as slivovitz in Poland.

The best are delicious, but some can be positively dangerous.

Sljivovica is usuaully enjoyed as a shot, but is sometimes served warm in winter.

In Serbian culture it is considered a cure for a range of physical ailments.

Local media reported that the brandy is placed around the neck to remedy a sore throat, while high fevers are tackled by massaging sljivovica into the patient’s feet.

Ferocious Commercial varieties come with an alcohol content of 40% but home-made versions are opften much higher, hence the need for caution from neophytes.

The UN announced that Serbian plum brandy is now recognised "as a cherished tradition to be preserved by humanity".

Its place on the Intangible Heritage list relates to the “social practices and knowledge related to the preparation and use of the traditional plum spirit”, the UNESCO listing says.

The organisation recognised “the complex knowledge and skills to prepare the drink in a home environment as well as its use in everyday and ritual practices”.

Anyone for a glass of Chateau Djokovic?

Novak Djokovic is a masterful tennis player with a controversial personality. 

The Serbian tennis star is hoping that his success on the court - 21 grand slam titles - can translate into wine sales, having launched his first two wines over the weekend. 

Djokovic joins the likes of Ernie Els, Brad Pitt, Kylie Minogue and Graham Norton in launching a wine range, opening serve with a 2020 Djokovic Chardonnay and 2020 Djokovic Syrah. 

Serbian wine magazine Vino & Fino reports that the Djokovic Winery is a new operation in the player's home nation. 

Djokovic's uncle, Goran, is the director of the winery, and he told Vino & Fino that he hopes the vineyard will soon attain a similar status to what his nephew has achieved on-court. 

"There are many challenges, but we try to achieve the maximum in this business, as in everything," Goran Djokovic told Vino & Fino. 

The magazine reports that the Djokovic family vineyard covers six hectares in Sumadija, Serbia, three for white grapes and three for red grapes, on "one of the most attractive lands in Serbia, on red soil rich in stone, marl rock and lime, with large white pieces of stone." 

Šumadija is Serbia’s premiere wine region and is home to leading wine producer Mija Radovanovi.

The wine is currently sold at the Wine & Pleasure store in Belgrade but there are plans for future global distribution.