Czech Wine

Devin

2011-02-24T01:27:00.000-08:00

Characteristics...

Young variety originated from Slovakia in 1998 as a result of cross-breeding of Tramin Cerveny with Veltinske cervenobile. Green - yello hue, distinctive aroma, moderately spicy taste reminding ripen grapefruit. Often very extractive, harmonious wine, sometime getting bitter with longer storage.

Advised to accompany saucy meat dishes and, in semi-dry version, also cheeses and desserts.

Good example:

Děvín, výběr z hroznů (selection from grapes) ,2009, vineyard Baloun

12,5 %, semi-dry wine, price: 11 euro.

Pleasant sprakling colour, delicate aroma of fruit and honey with traces of roses and spices. Harmonious taste of spices and fruit finished off with honey after-taste.

Awarded Silver medals in Vinalies Internationales Paris 2010 and Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2010, bronze in IWC San Francisco.

Habanske sklepy

2011-02-19T08:43:00.000-08:00

400 years of wine tradition, legendary builders of cellars in Moravia, one of the most respected vineyard brand in Czech Republic.

Habanske Sklepy are located in Velke Bilovice, region of Velke Pavlovice, famous wine tasting village with over forty cellars. Contrary to small family businesses the company got tremendously modernized over the years and paying a visit to its premises is worth travel.

The success of the brand lies in high quality grapes and manual selection of best fruit only as well as agricultural proficiency. There are three lines of wine offered: Classics, Selected and Premium, exclusively for gastronomy market. More than thirsty awards and medals not only from Czech contests but also international exhibitions in London and San Francisco speak for themselves.

Following four wines are marvelous sampling idea:

Habánské sklepy André 2008, jakostní odrůdové - quality wine

Dark red wine, smelling of ripen cherries, with exquisite soft roundness, supported by pleasant tannins and long lasting impression. Approximate price: 7 euro.

Habánské sklepy Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 pozdní sběr - late harvest

Dark ruby wine with violet shades, surprisingly matured in aroma (black currant jam, black berries); balanced, averagely rich taste. Approximate price: 8 euro.

Habánské sklepy Chardonnay 2009 pozdní sběr - late harvest

Wine with golden yellow hue, buttery and nutty aroma, harmonious, juicy taste. Approximate price: 7 euro.

Habánské sklepy Sauvignon 2008 pozdní sběr - late harvest

Color of light straw, distinguished aroma reminding elder flowers and nettles; smoothly developing taste of peaches. Approximate price: 7 euro.

More about Czech wine champions

2011-02-17T00:18:00.000-08:00

In January 2011 International Wine Contest Grand Prix Vinex 2011 revealed winners from three neighbouring countries: Czech Republic, Austria i Slovakia. Altogether more than 300 samples of wine were tested and scrutinized...

The overall winner was Grand Reserve Cuvée 2008 from Austrian vineyard Weingut Schulz, however, Czech products were also highly appraised:

The title of best wine collection went to vineyard of Josef Valihrach, second time winner. among his treasures you can find such rare delicacies as archive Andre from 1989 and Cabernet Sauvingon 1998 awarded silver medal in Sauvignon Forum 2000. The proud owner inherited the passion from his father and started producing first wines when he was just 14 years old. Today the company with 20 years history boasts of numerous international rewards and medals, specializing in barrique, archive and ice wines.

Czechs also made it to the top in the category of semi-dry and semi-sweet white wines:

Rulandské šedé 2009, selection from berries, VÍNO Mikulov

Golden hue wine with pine apple and candied fruit aromas, round, harmonious, with spicy and pleasantly bitter aftertaste.

Chardonnay 2009, selection from berries, SOŠV a SOUZ Valtice

Modry Portugal

2011-02-13T08:53:00.000-08:00

Characteristics…

Also known as Blauer Portigieser, supposedly brought in XVIII century from Portugal to Vienna from where it spread to Czech Republic - areas of Brno, Caslav and Melnik in Moravia region. Dark blue fruits are perfectly round, moderately tasty but low in acid.

Modry Portugal is a wine of amazing ruby colour and, if of good quality, impeccably round and fruity aroma - often floral and fruity. In taste you can often feel notes of blackberries or cherries yet wine is quite light and not complicated. Therefore, it also fits to most of dishes that go with red wines. Average Modry Portugal makes a great table wine with little side effects of overdosing; those better bottles deserve real “chapeaux bas”.

One good hint:

Modrý Portugal, Chateau Valtice, pozdní sběr r. 2006

- semi-dry, from late harvesting, 12%

Czech wines in "1000 Vins du Monde"

2011-02-11T10:43:00.000-08:00

35 wines from Czech Republic (Moravia and Bohemia regions) were enlisted in 1000 best world wines of 2011. That may not be a lot in comparison to viticulture powers like France or Italy, but speaks something of quality.

Among the best you can find such renowned Czech producers as:

Vino Mikulov with

Cabernet Sauvignon, late harvest, 2008

Ryzlink rynsky, late harvest, 2008

Sauvignon, late harvest, 2008

Vinařství Baloun with
- Chardonnay 2009
- Děvín 2009
- Hibernal, late harvest 2009
- Müller-Thurgau 2009
- Pálava 2009
- Tramín 43/09 - 2009
- Tramín 22/09 - 2009

Tomáš Krist with
- Aurelius, late harvest, 2009
- Muškát Moravský, late harves,t 2009

- Pálava, from selected grapes, 2009
- Rulandské bílé, late harvest, 2009
- Ryzlink rýnský, late harvest 2009
- Sylvánské zelené, late harvest, 2009

Vinné sklepy Valtice with
- Ryzlink vlašský, ice wine, 2007

How to buy Czech wine...

Rulandske bile

2011-02-10T08:06:00.000-08:00

Characteristics...

Known in the world as Pinot Blanc, originated from Burgundy, France. Sweet-sour grapes ripen in small bunches, quite late in the season. This variety can produce thin, hollow wines however especially in Znojmo sub-region, on best soils, Rilandske often turns out to be very noble, smooth and flowery, with green and yellow hue. It’s never heavy, in most cases refreshing and bears notes fo pears, peach, almonds, butter, vanilla and hazelnuts. Ideally, look for wines labeled “vyber z hroznu” or “vyber z bobuli” for guaranteed quality.

Rulandske bile fits for all sort of ful fat dishes, especially roasted meat, smoked fish, blue cheese, creamy soups and more distinctive beef and pork specialities. Also, can be served as an aperitif.

National Czech Wine Salon

2011-02-08T09:48:00.000-08:00

Both institution and charming place in the middle of fertile soils of Moravia, this unusual exhibition presents you the best of the best.

It started as a yearly national competition of best wine produced in Czech Republic. After years of growing prestige and splendid offer today it more of a temple of some sort. Located in most romantic historical castle of Valtice, one of the leading wine cities in the country, the salon occupies noble cellars with a collection of 100 best bottles. It is open for wide audience from Tuesday till Sunday, whole year apart from February, when new best league is being installed.

It’s partly educational, partly hedonistic initiative. Firstly, you can learn all about national viticulture, varieties and regions as well as buy wine accessories and books. Secondly, and most importantly, you are welcome to take part in tasting of all the gatheres wine champions. Open, 90 minute long, wine tasting with sommelier costs 15 euro and price for joined tasting and guided sightseeing of the castle mounts up to 20 euro. There are also more affordable options of small tastings (4 wines) that take just half an hour.

Definitely, it’s number one destination if you want to save time and find the best wine jewels under one roof and with the stunning beauty of Lednice and Valtice Cultural Landscape (UNESCO heritage) it is a memorable, breath-taking trip.

Veltlínské zelené

2011-02-06T09:33:00.000-08:00

Characteristics...

Also known as Grüner Veltliner; variety originated in Austria and transferred with huge success to Moravian soil where it is grown in bulk. Large bunches consist of yellowish grapes, juicy and moderately sweet. Wine itself has golden green colour smelling of pepper, bittler almonds and lime flowers. Taste is similar, sometimes spicy, pleasantly acidic, in best cases velvety exotic. As a medium-bodied, balanced, dry wine it is very popular and makes it favorite table choice for wide variety of foods - especially cold meats, and neutral sauces.

Burcak - healing, refreshing and delicious

2011-02-05T09:21:00.000-08:00

If you happen to come to Czech int the time of grape harvesting (end of September, beginning of October) you will get a unique chance to taste something of truly greater powers. Burcak i sfreshly fermented juice from pressed grapes that is not a wine yet, but can give you a kick and supposedly is very healthy...

It is commonly sold in plastic bottles at roads all over Moravia and even other regions and practically can be bought in most wine shops in the country, at least for a week or so. Don't be fooled by burcak in first half of September - that's usually some apple juice for naive tourists.

Now as for taste, when chilled and good quality, it can be really refreshing version of lemonade with alcoholic bonus (ca. 5-8%). Quite sweet, though pleasantly, balanced with pungent acidity, refreshing and very... cleaning through it bears legend of miraculous health potion and there are still Moravians up there who think that by drinking a liter per each liter of blood in the body will make you practically immune to all the sickness. I would say that a glass or two per day are enough, but then I'm not really a local. As for scientific facts it is really rich in vitamins, especially B 12 and contains some essential minerals as well.

Official burcak season is from 1st August till 30th November, but I wouldn't trust those dates really. Also, it is a registered regional product in EU and according to the law can be produced only form Czech or Slovak grapes. And that's why you really need to come yourself and try...

Velke Bilovice - greatest wine tasting approaches

2011-02-04T01:05:00.000-08:00

Now, this is a sort of event no wine lover would ever like to miss. On 27th March 2011 in Velke Bilovice there is annual 8-hour wine tasting of best Moravian cellar jewels...

The idea is simple - spending whole spring day wandering from cellar to cellar (there are over 40!) with a map, guide and glass and tasting all that local producers have to offer. They are mostly small family businesses, sometimes with decades of tradition, eager to share... and sell you their best bottles for very competitive prices. Great reds, exquisite whites, intriguing pinks, noble archives and even some fortified honey wines are offered in all varieties and years.

I have feeling that with every year there is more and more people coming and you can really hear multiply languages, all of them of course somehow mumbling. Is it possible to survive? Definitely, with all the walking on fresh air, hospitality snacks in every cellar and food stands offering hearty Czech cuisine like roasted sausage or hot goulash.

The entrance fee (1000 CZK= 40 euro) covers all the wine you can drink in 8 hours, guide, map and special glass as well as vouchers for wine purchase (600 CZK). And of course, if you want to buy more, you are very welcome (we usually leave with some 30 bottles in the trunk). As for accommodation (no one is able to drive after that!) there are some guest rooms in many of the cellars (possible to visit also in other times of the year for wine tasting) as well as normal hotel and pension.

All the accommodation links and contacts you will find here

How to buy Czech wine?

2011-02-03T06:27:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, this is not so easy as it might seem in global virtual world...

Basically, you may expect some bigger wine shops all over the world to have on offer, as a kind of curiosity, a few bottles of Moravian wine. That does not happen often and usually means a very limited choice, not necessarily the best. Czech producers in majority provide for local market and little marking efforts are made to promote this superb wine abroad.

That being said, there is still an option of some new e-shops being open i.e. in UK that focus specifically on Czech wines (Wineberries), however, still the offer remains poor an usually is limited to one or two producers.

Apart from that, there is most interesting option of coming to Moravia yourself and getting to know the wine amidst local vineyards, tasting events and restaurants. Whole region is recently growing upon wine tourism and I dare to say that its offer is not less interesting than Tuscany. You may want to visit best and biggest wineries or rather wander among small family cellars - either way - splendid tasting, eating and sightseeing are guaranteed.

Finally, there is also possibility to use our friendly service morawy@gmail.com that can assist you both in organizing your wine trip to Czech as well as buying any desired local wines and sending to you by private shipping. For more info, write an inquire e-mail.

Tramin cerveny

2011-02-03T01:18:00.000-08:00

Characteristics...

One of the oldest varieties, closely related to wild forest grape. German name Gewurtztraminer means spicy Traminer and indeed the grey-ish red fruit are very aromatic in taste though difficult to chew. As for white wines, Tramin Cerveny has significantly intensive colour and high level of unfermented natural sugar. It has a rich, spicy taste with tones of cinnamon, ginger, citrus fruit, honey and pine apple.

It is recommended to accompany goose and duck specialities (like foie gras), smoked fish, tangy sheep and goat cheese as well as deserts and oriental cuisine. Served chilled can be an amazing aperitif.

Reading etiquettes

2011-02-02T09:27:00.000-08:00

There is an array of features for quality wine that you should look for on Czech etiquettes...

Pozdní sběr - meaning "late harvest"

Full round wines that have been produced of grapes harvested later than usually. There are most often of very high quality. In dry wines alcohol level may reach up to 14%.

Výběr z hroznů - meaning "special selection of grapes"

Most often semi-dry wines with alcohol content of 13%. Full, round, frequently with high residual sugar.

Výběr z bobulí - meaning "special selection of berries"

Wine made of grapes that have been ripening very long and reached at harvest time 27 °NM of sugar. Very full, most often sweet or semi-sweet.

Výběr z cibéb - meaning "special selection of botrytis - affected noble berries"

Grapes ripening so long that they dry out on vines, helped by noble rot, and are almost raisins. Very high in extract, sweet and extremely rare wines.

Vino ledove - meaning "ice wine"

Made by pressing grapes that have been frozen to -7 C degrees and were proved to contain required amount of sugar. They are very rich, sweet and expensive wines.

Vino slamove - meaning "straw wine"

Grapes after picking are being left for drying for 3 months on straw in well air-conditioned spaces. Only best, undamaged fruit are being selected for the process. As water evaporates sugar level gets higher and as result sweet wines with great texture are developed.

U Kaplicky - family vineyard welcomes

2011-02-02T06:31:00.001-08:00

One of many local vineyards in Moravia region, but very special as for climate and standard of services...

„Vinařství U Kapličky“ is a small, family run, vineyard with pension house where you can not only taste great variety of locally made wines, but also watch the whole wine production process and take part in many seasonal activities like Valentine Evening or grape harvesting festivities. It's relatively new (6 years) so although you won't find here the magical atmosphere of hundred years old cellars, standard of services is really good and accommodation is splendid.

The hosts offer not only cozy rooms and elegant suites, but also full board, wine shop and great, stylish winery room for tastings and other events. In the vicinity there is well maintained network of cycling lanes that take you to regional jewels such as UNESCO listed Lednice-Valtice palace and park complex or charming Palava hills.

There are also adrenaline sport facilities (quads, shooting) and fishing area. In the summer time, food is served in open air restaurant with grill and for business needs, there are conference premises that can roof up to 120 people, with standard conference equipment.

Prices for accommodation range form 60 euros for room for 2 with breakfast up to 100 euro for suite for 4 people with full kitchen equipment and jacuzzi. Great quality wines you will purchase form 10 - 15 euros per bottle.

Should you need any assistance with organizing your trip to Czech Republic, please write to: morawy@gmail.com.

Palava

2011-01-31T06:16:00.000-08:00

Characteristics…

Young vine originated in Morava in 70’ and gaining huge popularity in recent years. Grapes are partly grayish, partly reddish, spicy in taste with tough skins. Wine itself has amazing golden hue, vanilla and spicy tones as well as muscat notes. Smooth, very round, slightly acidic it is recommended to accompany spicy dishes, meat in sweet marinates as well as goat and sheep cheese.

It’s not hard to get very average Palava, since the yield is large around Znojmo and Mikulov, however more expensive, better editions forom late harvesting (pozdni zber) can achieve really astounding quality and roundness.

Plastic bottles

2011-01-30T04:43:00.000-08:00

That was second shocking news about Czech wine for me. First being that such thing exists, as for 28 years of my life I was sure they are all about beer there.

And then I opened a fridge once, told to find a bottle of wine chilling there, and I realized that nectar of gods comes in PET bottles here. Surprisingly, it tasted better good average wine and with years of living in Czech Republic I stopped being terrified about the the idea.

Explanation is quite simple. As unique, exquisite and old wine always comes in traditional, noble, narrow neck bottles, lots of normal wine for every day drinking is being tapped into plastic in little shops and wineries all over the country. This way it's cheap, abundant (1,5 liter in minimum purchase) and more mundane.

That's a way of Czechs saying - we have good, cheap wine that you should sip every evening and let's not get too snobbish about that.

Frankovka

2011-01-30T04:13:00.000-08:00

Characteristics...

Old red Austrian variety, known also as Lemberger, that flourishes on the slopes of Znojmo area in Moravia region. Fruit are dark, almost black, medium size and spicy. When turned into wine exhibits dark ruby, sometimes violet-ish color and smells like blackberry. It can be pretty acidic and has substantial tannins but when matured properly turns into smooth, fruity and spicy red wine with hints of cinnamon and blackberries.

Recommended for roasted meat, game dishes, duck and goose specialties as well as spicy vegetable dishes, ripening cheese varieties, well seasoned pasta and even pizza.