Moravian wine: an overview of popular varieties, classification

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Moravia is the cradle of Czech winemaking. 95% of all vineyards are located here. And although the white wines of this region are more valued, nevertheless, there are quite worthy red ones here. For these drinks it is not necessary to go to the manufacturer, it is quite possible to buy Moravian wine in Prague.

Unique Conditions

Cool climate promotes long-term ripening of berries. Moravian wine from such grapes has a complex unique aroma and perfect acidity.

Due to the composition of the soil in Moravia, grape varieties are grown that give a spicy and multifaceted taste. Their organoleptic qualities are so harmoniously combined that there is practically no equal to them at the moment.

On the labels of Moravian wines, there is enough information about the drink - the class, the producer, and the region where the vines grow are indicated here. But first of all, you should pay attention to the grape variety.

Before you decide which Czech wine to choose, you need to carefully study the information,presented below. Of course, we will not list all varieties, but we will definitely describe those that it is desirable to pay attention to. Let's start with whites, as these are the drinks that are valued all over the world, and Czech red wines, with a few exceptions, remain on the local market.

Aurelius

This grape variety was selected in Moravia. The drink is very similar to Riesling. Such vines no longer grow in any country. The wine has a fruity aroma with hints of lime blossom.

Devin

This grape variety was imported from Slovakia. It is most often grown there. But Moravian wines are often made from it. The wine has a honey taste and is very reminiscent of Gewurztraminer and Muscat.

Hibernal

This is generally a German variety, most often it is grown in its homeland and in Switzerland. But he also gives excellent results in Moravia.

The wine has a very bright taste, with aromas of peach and lime blossom. Judging by the reviews of Moravian wines, we can say that it is very similar to Riesling.

Muscat Moravian

This is exactly the Moravian variety, it was selected in the village of Poliszczowice. Two percent of the area of all vineyards in the country is allocated for it. The drink is really worth it, it has a floral aroma with hints of nutmeg and a delicate fruity taste.

Müller Thurgau

Classic German variety. It also gives good results in Switzerland, Slovakia, Hungary and Austria. And in Moravia, ten percent of the total plantation area is given for it.

This drink is made for those who like dry wines but don't like sourness very well. It has a delicate floral aroma and nutmeg taste.

Neubursk

A grape variety native to Austria. He also took root in Moldova, Transylvania and Hungary. In Moravia, two percent of the total area is given for it. This variety is surprising in that in addition to grapefruit, raspberry is felt in its aroma. This is very uncharacteristic of the white strain.

Palava

This variety was born in Moravia and is currently at the peak of popularity, so it is very difficult to say what percentage of the area it occupies. Any winemaker in the country tries to take as much land as possible for these vines. The drink has an extraordinary aroma. And everyone in it hears different shades. For some, tea rose is in the foreground, and for others, vanilla. The taste is very bright, harmonious. This drink can be safely attributed to the best Czech wines.

Ryzlink Vlashsky

It is not known for certain where the birthplace of this vine is. Presumably in Northern Italy. It is most commonly found in Southeast Europe. There he is known as Welschriesling. The wine is quite acidic, the aroma is multifaceted with tones of apple, gooseberry, herbs and honey.

Tramin Cherveny

this variety can be attributed to the ancient. Now no one even remembers where he came from. But now it can be found in any of the countries in which winemaking is developed. In Moravia, it is also loved, 4% of the vineyards are allotted for it. Wines made from these berries are the first competitors of Palava - bright,harmonious, with a rich aroma.

Veltinske Zelene

This grape variety was brought to Moravia from Austria. Under it given ten percent of the vineyards. Almonds and lime blossom are felt in the aroma of the drink. These berries are often the main component of straw and ice wines, but they will be discussed a little later. Be patient and read to the end. It will be interesting.

Red grapes

Czech wine Frankovka is perhaps one of the most famous red wines. This grape variety comes from Austria, where it is called Lemberger. The drink does not have a very thick color. The aroma is predominantly cherry, blackberry and cinnamon. The variety makes excellent archival wines.

Andre - local grape comb. Its selection was carried out in the village of Velke Popovtsy. This variety can also be attributed to the popular. The wine turns out to be a rich dark red color, in the aroma of which blackberries and jam are clearly audible. Especially for this drink, Brie-type cheese was produced - OLMIN.

Cabernet Moravia – the selection of this variety was carried out in the village of Moravske Nowe Vsi. Very high quality wine, has aromas of blackberries and coffee.

Modry Portugal – the origin of the variety is unknown. But the name suggests that it is from Portugal. Now most often found in the south-east of Europe. The wine has a fruity aroma, and cherry is heard in the taste.

Zweigeltrebe is a grape variety from Austria. In Moravia, it occupies about five percent of the total vineyard area. Cherry, sweet cherry and vanilla are heard in a bright aroma.

Wine Classification

ZEMSKÉ VÍNO – local wine. This designation is most often applied to simple table wines that have been certified in their district or even in their village. But this does not mean that the wine is of poor quality. It often happens that it is simply not economically viable for a winemaker with a small batch of a drink to send his products for tasting to Prague, Brno or a regional center in order to assign a high category. This is a rather costly procedure. The wine is sold as a regular, table wine, but connoisseurs quickly understand what's the matter, and immediately scatter the entire batch.

JAKOSTNÍ VÍNO – quality wine. This drink is a level up. There is already a certain requirement here - the content of natural sugar in the juice is at least 150 g per liter. Such wines can be of two categories - varietal and vintage.

In the first case, the label should list the varieties that are included, moreover, there cannot be more than three of them.

In the second case, there will be no varietal composition. For example, a wine can simply be called Lazenske Cuvee, which translates literally to “Resort Blend.”

JAKOSTNÍ VÍNO S PŘÍVLASTKEM – wines of special quality belong to this category. The production of such drinks is controlled by a special commission. Such an inscription on the label of Moravian wine guarantees that the berries were collected in a certain area, and there is no added sugar in their composition. This category has four subcategories:

1. Kabinetní víno - most often this category includes the lungsdry wines. Here the composition of natural sugar is at least 190 g per liter.

2. Pozdní sběr are full-bodied, very good wines. Here the content of natural sugar in the juice is from 210 g per liter. Can be both dry and semi-dry, and semi-sweet.

3. Výběr z hroznů – only the best grapes from the harvest are selected to make this wine. Drinks are even more interesting, mostly semi-dry and semi-sweet. The sugar content in the juice - from 240 g per liter.

4. Výběr z bobulí are elite wines that come out in small batches. They are semi-sweet and sweet. All of them are exclusive. The best berries are selected for their production. Here the content of natural sugar in the juice is not less than 270 g liter.

Special Wines

Ledové víno - all over the world they are called Ice wine. Not every harvest allows the production of wine of this category, which is why they are considered elite drinks. Harvesting takes place at a temperature of -7 °C. The juice is pressed directly from the frozen berries so that a certain part of the water remains in the crystals. That is why the juice is quite concentrated. It contains over 270 g of natural sugar per liter. These wines are always sweet, exclusive.

Slámové víno - these drinks are also exclusive. During their production, the grapes are dried. It needs to be laid out in a room that is well ventilated, most often it is laid out on straw. In this case, part of the water evaporates, and the concentration of sugar in the juice is quite high - from 270 g per liter. The technology is very complex, it is used infrequently. So the wines are considered rare andexpensive. Drinks are always sweet.

Výběr z cibéb are the rarest wines. They are made from grapes affected by the "noble mold" botrytis. It draws a lot of moisture out of the berries. The concentration of sugar in the juice is not less than 320 g per liter. But the whole difficulty lies in the fact that the mold cannot be cultivated artificially. She appears by herself, and it is impossible to predict her. Still similar drinks can be obtained from berries, which the sun itself withered right on the branch. But the behavior of the sun is also unpredictable. So these wines are incredibly rare and expensive. There are only sweet ones.

Sometimes you can still find Czech wine in Prague with the inscription Svatomartinské víno. This is a young drink, the crop for which was harvested this year. They are released specifically for November 11 - this is the feast of St. Martin. These drinks are recommended to drink within a few months.

Another rare wine is Likérové víno. During the fermentation process, grape spirit is added to the must. Then the fermentation stops, and a large amount of natural sugar remains in the drink. There are a lot of subtleties of production. Fortified wines are obtained with an alcohol content of 15 to 22% alcohol.

Champagne from Moravia

If someone wants a real Czech sparkling wine, then they will have to go straight to Moravia for it. It is there that such drinks are produced by the classical method: they ripen for a whole year, they are made in small batches, so it is almost impossible to find such a product in a regular store.

Eatone very interesting company is Znovín Znojmo. Their wines are distinguished not only by excellent quality, but also by an unusual label.

What is interesting about this drink? This is a light wine made from dark grapes. Its color is only slightly pink.

Produced with Pinot Noir grapes. After the juice is squeezed out, the pulp is quickly removed from it, since only the grape skin has color, the pulp is almost always light. The juice does not have time to color, and the sparkling is only slightly pinkish.

This wine (Charles Sealsfield) is named after the famous journalist, traveler and writer Charles Sealsfield. He was born into a peasant family in the small village of Popice and in some incredible way turned into a famous person. In the same way as black grapes managed to make white wine. This drink deserves attention, therefore, while in the Czech Republic, you should definitely visit Moravia and buy a bottle.