Eastern Europe always seems a little impenetrable for the wine enthusiast – unfamiliar geography and unpronounceable names, combined with a slightly downmarket historical reputation do not help. So a little exploration into the wines of Moravia proves enlightening.
Firstly geography – I confess I could not pinpoint Moravia on the map – but it is the eastern part of the Czech republic, which in turn is located east of Germany and north of Austria – which also provides an indicator of the wine styles you might expect.
Secondly grape varieties include whites made from Gruner Veltliner and reds based on Franken or Pinot Noir. However the little known St Laurent ( a relative of Cabernet Franc) is the most widely planted red variety and Muller-Thurgau the most widely planted white. Other distinctly local grape varieties are used, but can be a little difficult to pronounce.
Increasingly though there are more plantings of more familiar varietals such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Cabernet Sauvignon. I hope that the Moravian winemakers do not just jump on the Chardonnay bandwagon – with modern wine making techniques and distinctive grape varieties there is always room to carve out a new niche, in the same way as English Sparkling wine has transcended the somewhat lacklustre earlier reputation of English wine.
Wineberries.co.uk is a newly formed business which imports wines from Moravia in the Czech Republic. Moravia is a region of the Czech Republic in the South of the country.
At present Wineberries.co.uk provides five ranges of wines from the regions of Mikulov and Znojmo.
The Wineberries site is attractively laid out, but we had a few problems with navigation links, and whilst there are tasting notes for each wine, I would have liked to have seen a bit more information which would introduce consumers to the region, its wines and winemakers. However, it is always good to find someone offering something a little different to enrich our winetasting experience, and there just may be some hidden gems waiting to be discovered!
UPDATE:-
The day after I discover one Czech wine specialist, along comes another – WINEGLASS (www.wineglassroa.co.uk) who also offer wines from Moravia, but also spirits and glassware – no images of the glassware, but the spirits include products such as “Black Vodka, Czech Rum, Black Absinth and Slivovice (a plum brandy). Again the website is a little uninspiring but there are promises to enhance it – watch this space.
Magdi and Jerry Cullen established the business in 2004 as a means of bringing Czech Republic’s wines and spirits to a wider audience. Through personal tastings and internet sales the business steadily grew.
Wineglass, 4 Royal Opera Arcade, London SW1Y 4UY
07511 696 542
www.wineglassroa.co.uk
My husband and his brother have a vine house in Mutenica and have won diplomas for their red wine.We have many Czech friends and normally go to our vine house two or three times a year, when we have work to do on our vines.Many of our friends make excellant wine.
Thought this would interest you.
It good to see someone else appreicate Czech wines.
I would like to buy Slivovice . Where ?