Czech wine regions

A Czech wine usually comes from the region of Bohemia or Moravia. Northern Bohemia in the area of ​​Prague clearly plays second fiddle. In Southern Moravia, on the border with Austria, no less than 96% of the Czech vines are planted.

Bohemia

The vineyards of Bohemia are located in the northwest of the Czech Republic, above Prague and even in Prague. They are 'only' 400 hectares of vineyards. A completely different size than the 3,500 hectares that were planted here in the 17th century. The vineyards are spread around and near the rivers Elbe, Bernounka, Jizra and Ohře. As a result, the vines benefit from a slightly more moderate climate and extra warmth from the sun that reflects in the water surface. But it remains a challenge to produce quality wines here. The Müller-thurgau and Silvaner are in charge of the production. The Pinots make a modest contribution.

In the northern part of Bohemia, Litoměřice, Rýnský Ryzlink or Rhine Riesling thrives in the light soils of basalt and limestone. Further towards Prague, in the Mělník sub-region, the terroir is ‘warmer’, partly due to the slate in the soil. Blue grape varieties such as Portugieser and St. Laurent are therefore doing quite well.

Moravia

The region that is really good at producing, including quality wines, is Moravia in the south-east of the Czech Republic, around the city of Brno, near the Austrian Weinviertel and the Slovakian border. The green rolling hills and occasional steepness covered with vines are divided over four sub-regions, Znojmo, Mikulov, Velké Pavlovice and Slovácko. Due to the higher hinterland in the north, the continental climate is slightly milder. Nevertheless, every year we still hope for sufficient ripeness.

In Znojmo, wines are still stored in one of the many cellars from bygone times. Mainly white aromatic wines from Grüner Veltliner, followed by Müller-thurgau, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and the aromatic Pálava, a cross between the red Traminer and Müller-thurgau.

Mikulov is known for its limestone collected in the hills of Pálava (not to be confused with the grape). It is clear that the minerality of the soil can be tasted unmistakably in the wines of the Welschriesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc. Müller-thurgau, Silvaner and Neuburger are excellent around Valtice. Grüner Veltliner prefers a little more clay around the roots. Local varieties such as the Pálava and Aurelius are grown specifically for this terroir.

Velké Pavlovice is reasonably suitable for blue grape varieties such as Pinot Noir, Portugieser and other blue Austrians due to the location of the vineyards, on hills facing west and south. The Pálava and the Moravian Muscat (cross between Muscat Ottonel and Prachtraube) also do well in addition to the previously mentioned white grapes.

In Slovácko, the rivers in particular are a determining factor for the terroir. The soils are therefore a lot heavier due to clay; good enough for Silvaner, Pinots and Chardonnay. Drier stony soils please Riesling. The local Cabernet Moravia comes from this region, to be precise the village of Moravská Nová Ves. The Frankovka Modra (Blaufränkisch) and the Moravian Muscat provide an even greater diversity of grapes.