Winemaking in Slovenia

Slovenian wine. Winemaking in Slovenia began when the region was settled by early Celtic and Illyrian tribes in the 4th century and continues to this day. Slovenia has around 28,500 wineries, producing about 90 million liters of wine each year from the country’s numerous vineyards.

Approximately 75% of vineyard production is white wine, and almost all of the wine produced is consumed domestically, with only a small proportion being exported. However, Slovenian wines are considered to be of excellent quality, and more wine is now being exported, indicating that this trend is likely to continue.

Slovenian wine come from 52 different types of vines, 37 of which are white and only 15 red. The main white wines are Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon; the popular native wines are Rebula and Zelen. In terms of red wines, Slovenia mainly produces Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.

Wine Growing Regions

Slovenia has three main wine regions (Primorska, Posavje, and Podravje), each divided into districts. Below is a summary of each region and some of the important districts and sub-districts within each region.

Primorska

This wine-growing region borders Italy and has the warmest climate of the main Slovenian wine-producing regions. It is the largest region, accounting for nearly 50% of Slovenia’s total wine production. The region primarily produces white wine but is also known for a red wine called Teran, which is popular throughout Slovenia.

The wine-growing region of Primorska has four wine-growing districts. The districts of Istra and Karst primarily produce red wines, while Goriška Brda and the Vipava Valley primarily produce white wines.

The region is known for its hot, dry summers, mild winters, and strong winds, making its climate very similar to California in many areas. The Vipava Valley district is often referred to as “Slovenian California” and is one of the most famous in the country for producing wines of excellent quality and distinctive flavor.

Posavje

This wine-growing area is the smallest of the three regions in terms of vineyards and total wine production. The region is located in the southeast of the country. Unlike the other two wine-producing regions in Slovenia, this region is more known for its red wines than its whites. Additionally, the region is famous for producing Cviček, a wine made from both red and white grapes.

Until recently, the region was considered to produce wines of inferior quality compared to the other two regions, but today, it has a growing reputation for producing excellent wines. Cviček is the most famous wine of the region and has been produced here for over 250 years. Cviček wines are made up of 70% red and 30% white varieties. The wine has a lower alcohol content (just 8-9% ABV), but this has not stopped it from becoming one of the most popular wines in Slovenia.

Podravje

This area covers the east and northeast of the country. Podravje is the largest of the three main wine-producing regions of Slovenia in terms of size but is second to Primorska in terms of production.

The region is subdivided into two districts: Prekmurje in the northeast and Štajerska covering the rest of the region. This is a region of white wines, with 95% of all production being white wine.

The main wines produced from the vineyards here are sparkling white wines, which are considered the best in Slovenia, as well as several excellent dessert wines. The region is also home to the oldest wine-producing vine, located in Slovenia’s second-largest town, Maribor. The vine has been active for over 400 years and is still producing wine to this day.

Districts and Sub-Districts

There are certain differences in wine production within the three winemaking areas described above. This means the regions are divided into specific districts, and each district is divided again into several sub-districts, each with its own distinctive character and unique-tasting wines.

Visiting the Vineyards of Slovenia

Slovenian wine. After the autumn harvests are over, Slovenians celebrate an unofficial national holiday called St. Martin’s Day on November 11. The holiday is named after St. Martin, the saint who, according to Slovenian folklore, turned water into wine. The Feasts of St. Martin, which take place on this holiday, are a great time to enjoy delicious food and some great wine!

For such a small country, there are some excellent wines to be found in Slovenia, and wine-tasting excursions or holidays can be a great way to discover them. Slovenia has a wide variety of wines, and around 70% of all wine produced is considered premium wine, so try them, and you will be surprised at the variety and quality of wine on offer here.

Source: https://www.slovenia.info