The Czech republic’s warmest and most fertile region offers visitors the opportunity to discover a thriving wine tradition coupled with outstanding natural beauty, unique heritage and great hospitality.
While the capital city of Prague continues to attract the largest number of tourists to the central European state, South Moravia offers everything from cycling tours to spa retreats. It is a few hours by train from Prague and even closer to the Austrian capital of Vienna while it can also be easily accessed by road from other parts of Central Europe. Brno, the enchanting capital of South Moravia, has an international airport (the Brno-Tuřany airport) making it the main gateway into the region for many visitors.
Wine wonders
The history of viticulture in South Moravia goes back to the 2nd Century AD and today the region accounts for around 90 to 95 per cent of the country’s wine production. There are fascinating attractions and events for those wanting to discover the intriguing story of Czech wine. These include the National Wine Salon (offering some 100 wines for tasting), the historic Plže wine cellars (4km southeast of Strážnice and 14km from Hodonín) and the picturesque Šobes Vineyards in the Podyjí National Park.
Beyond the venerable vineyards, visitors can find an array of natural and historic sites. These include Brno’s 13th century fortress of Špilberk, the UNESCO-listed Lednice-Valtice (the world’s largest artificial landscape known as the Garden of Europe) and the Moravian Karst, a geological phenomenon consisting of over 1000 caves.
Anyone curious to start discovering more about Czech wine and South Moravia can begin their journey with some tastings at home. Swahili Coast Foodie met up with Dagmar Fialová from the National Wine Centre of the Czech Republic to sample a selection of intriguing vino:
Whites
Veltlínské Zelené 2020 VOC Znojmo
Grüner Veltliner – the most planted grape variety in the Czech republic
Winery – Lahofer
An elegant and easy drinking wine made from a grape variety often called ‘groovy’ by US wine critics. The estate has a striking, contemporary inter-connected structure combining winery, tasting room and administration facilities.
Dunajovský Vlašák – Ryzlink vlašský 2021
Welschriesling – the classic grape variety of the Czech republic
Winery – Kadrnka
This wine reflects the light, acidic character of the grape variety and comes from a fourth-generation family winery.
Železná – Ryzlink Vlašský 2020
Welschriesling – the old and highly prized variety of unknown origin
Winery – Volarik
This wines of this vineyard have a distinct minerality arising from the limestone rich soil.
Ryzlink rýnský EGO 2020
Riseling: ‘The King of Wines and the Wine of Kings’
Winery – Zámecké vinařství Bzenec
This wine reflects the zesty, refreshing acidity that Rieslings offer in the cool climate of the Czech republic.
Pálava 2020 Sonberk VOC Mikulovsko
Pálava – a crossing of the Müller-Thurgau and Roter Traminer grapes
Winery: Sonberk
This wine is made from a Czech variety that combines the intense floral and spicy aromas of Traminer with the elegance and acidity of the Müller-Thurgau.
Red
Frankovka 2019 VOC Modré hory
Blaufrankisch – a black-skinned wine grape grown widely in Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic and other central European states.
Winery: Vino J. Stávek
A red made from a grape (called Frankovka in Czech) combining the deep colour of Cabernet Sauvignon with the plumminess and spice of Merlot.
#VisitCzechRepublic and South Moravia for more information on holidays in the Czech Republic.
