#209 Serbia...Thanks Dejan!

#143 Serbia...Thanks Dejan!

This FDC was issued in 2008 featuring Grapes and Vineyards of Serbia.

On the territory of nowadays Serbia,grapevine was cultivated several thousand years ago,which is proved with the fossil remains found on the Red hill by the Danube shore near grocka.Excavations in Vinca,neighborhood of Belgrade,also prove that winemaking was already known here since prehistoric time.During their settling in the Balkans,the Slavs found the grapevine,adopted it,and spread its cultivation.There are 6 vineyard regions in Serbia.

The 20c stamp shows Sauvignon blanc which is among three most popular white grape variety in the world.This grapevine traces its origins to France.It is grown in all vineyard countries with moderate climate,but mostly in France,where it produces,with Semillon and Muscadel varieties,famous dessert Sauternais wines.The vine of Sauvignon blanc is very vigorous.Its bunch is small,in the form of a roller.Berries are middle size,spheric,greenish - yellow with black spots.Their skin is thick,sweet,with very characteristic piquant - spicy flavor,that reminds to the grass and elder flower.It has relatively small fruitage.The French call it the "king of wines and wine of kings".In 1920 and later on,by the order of King Aleksandar I Karadordevic,cuttings of Sauvignon blac were bought in France for the needs of Court vineyards in Topola.

The 46c stamp illustrates Frankovka, one of the leading red grape variety in some regions of Austria,Hungary,Slovakia,Slovenia,Croatia and Serbia.Its origin is unknown.Some suppose that it comes from Austria,though there are also some who claim that its homeland is the Franken province of Germany.Some of our authors consider it as an indigenous variety of Serbia.Frankovka is tolerant of the type of soil,but prefers southern,well protected,and warm regions of the moderate or northern climate.It reaches ample fruitage quite reguarly.If it ripens well,the wine is racy,dark red,with balanced acidity and almond flavor.Frankovka can be light red to deep ruby with violet reflex.

#058 Serbia...Thanks Dejan!

The first stamp from left was issued in 2008 to commemorate the 125 years of Oriental Express.

The Orient Express was the name of a long-distance passenger train originally operated by the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits. Its route has changed many times, and several routes have in the past concurrently used the name, or slight variants thereof. Although the original Orient Express was simply a normal international railway service, the name has become synonymous with intrigue and luxury travel. The two city names most intimately associated with the Orient Express are Paris and Istanbul, the original endpoints of the service.

On June 5, 1883 the first 'Express d'Orient' left Paris for Vienna and the train was officially renamed Orient Express in 1891.

On 14 December 2009, the Orient Express ceased to operate and the route disappeared from European railway timetables, reportedly a "victim of high-speed trains and cut-rate airlines."

The stamp in the middle was issued in 2009 to celebrate the 25th Universiade Belgrade.

Universiade is besides Olympic games the biggest sport event held in a country. Universiade are hosted every other year in selected city of a country member of FISU.

The stamp at the right was issued in 2008 to commemorate the 200 years of the Great School of Belgrade.

The school was the highest ranking educational institution in Serbia between 1808 and 1905,and was the predecessor of the University of Belgrade.It had three departments or faculties: Faculty of Philosophy, Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Law. The School formally became the University of Belgrade from February 27, 1905.