🇸🇮 Slovenian Wine

Slovenia: A Land of Natural Beauty

Slovenia is a country in Eastern Europe, bordered by Austria, Hungary, Croatia, and Italy. Although it is relatively small, with an area of 20,273 square kilometers, it boasts a variety of landscapes, from the Adriatic Sea in the west to the Hungarian plains in the east and the Alps in the north.

Slovenia’s winemaking tradition dates back to ancient times. From the 14th century to World War I, it was part of the Habsburg Empire, and after World War II, it became part of Yugoslavia, behind the Iron Curtain. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Slovenia gained independence in 1991 and joined the EU in 2004.

Over 60% of Slovenia’s land area is covered by forests, making it one of the most forested countries in Europe. It’s a land blessed with diverse nature, producing high-quality wines and flavorful cheeses. With latitudes ranging from 45.3°N to 47°N and a varied landscape, Slovenia experiences a wide range of climates and soil types. The average annual temperature is between 11°C and 12°C, and annual rainfall averages between 740 mm and 1,000 mm.

World’s Oldest Grapevine

Slovenia is home to many rare indigenous grape varieties and is known for its organic farming. In the city of Maribor, Slovenia boasts a grapevine that is over 400 years old, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest grapevine. This ancient vine still produces fruit, and a small quantity of wine is made from its grapes each year.

Basic Data on the Wine Industry

Slovenia is home to over 400 wineries. According to 2019 OIV data, the country has 15,630 hectares of vineyards and cultivates 119 grape varieties.

Seventeen EU-approved geographical indications (DOC and IG) are registered in Slovenia. Currently, there are no EU-approved master’s or doctoral programs related to viticulture or wine production in Slovenia.

Annual wine production is 758,000 hectoliters (75.8 million liters), with approximately 92% consumed domestically and around 8% exported. The average annual wine consumption per capita is 45.3 liters (for individuals aged 15 and older). Many wines are single-varietal, and 68% of production consists of white wines.

Wine Regions of Slovenia

Slovenia's wine regions are divided into three main areas.

① Podravje Region

This region, located near the Hungarian plains, is Slovenia’s largest wine-producing area. Primarily known for its white grape varieties, it is famous for ice wines, aromatic sweet wines, and sparkling wines. There are two controlled designation of origin districts (ZGP / PDO) in this region:

• Prekmurje District
• Štajerska Slovenija District

② Posavje Region

This region, bordering Croatia, produces both white and red wines. Blended wines are common, with light and fresh styles being the most popular. Rosé wines are also widely produced. There are three controlled designation of origin districts (ZGP / PDO) in this region:

• Bizeljsko Sremic District
• Dolenjska District
• Bela Krajina District

③ Primorska Region

This region is located between the Alps in the north and the Adriatic Sea in the southwest. It is Slovenia’s warmest wine region, with about half of its production consisting of red wines. Internationally acclaimed Slovenian wines are predominantly from this region, which focuses on indigenous grape varieties. The region is especially known for full-bodied red wines made from the Refošk grape. There are four controlled designation of origin districts (ZGP / PDO) in this region:

• Slovenska Istra District
• Kras District
• Vipavska Dolina District
• Goriška Brda District

Wine Laws in Slovenia

Slovenia has a well-established legal framework for its wine industry, with relatively strict wine laws. The country’s quality classification system has been influenced by Italy, Germany, and France. In 2008, Slovenia adopted its own wine laws, which include the EU’s PGI and PDO designations.

Slovenia’s wine quality classifications are as follows:

① Namizno vino

Namizno vino refers to table wine. This is the most basic wine category, allowing for blends of grapes from different regions. The origin of the grapes is not indicated on the label.

② Deželno vino PGO / PGI

Deželno vino means regional wine. PGO corresponds to the EU’s PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) and stands for Priznano geografsko oznako (Protected Geographical Indication). At least 85% of the grapes must come from one of the three regions: Podravje, Posavje, or Primorska.

③ ZGP / PDO

ZGP represents Slovenia’s strictest wine production standards and corresponds to the EU’s PDO (Protected Designation of Origin). ZGP stands for Zaščiteno Geografsko Poreklo (Protected Geographical Origin). This category is further divided into two subcategories:

• Kakovostno vino ZGP (Quality wine with protected origin)
• Vrhunsko vino ZGP (Premium wine with protected origin) / The highest quality wine

In addition to the categories listed above, there is a classification for Vino PTP (Traditional Protected Wine), a classification for sweet wines similar to Germany’s Prädikatswein system, and classifications based on aging periods.

Pesticide Use in Slovenia

Pesticide use in Slovenia is relatively high. Data from 2021 indicates that the average annual pesticide usage is 4.6 kilograms per hectare.

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