Panek in Czech Republic – Czech vineyards
If someone asked us what we associate the Czech Republic with, most of us would surely answer in one breath that Prague, Charles Bridge, SKODA cars and beer. And all this is true, but not everyone knows that excellent quality wines are produced in the Czech Republic vineyards, especially white wines. You can lose yourself completely in the charm of the regions covered with vines. You can reach all these places comfortably by a rental car, including those rented at the new PANEK office at the airport in Prague.
Moravia wine region
It is the largest and most homogeneous wine region in the Czech Republic. It consists of 4 subregions: Mikulov, Znojmo, Velkovicky and Slovacki, each with a slightly different character, each worth spending some time in.
Mikulov
The town of Mikulov and its surroundings are known for the production of excellent wine. The geographical location and the specific climate and variety of soils are conducive to the cultivation of vines. Interestingly, the region was already interested in the ancient Romans, who considered it suitable for viticulture. The Mikulov wine region also includes smaller villages: Valtice, Dolni Dunajovice, Novosedly, Perna, Sedlec, Pavlov, Dolni Vestonice, Horni Vestonice and Brod nad Dyji.
Mainly white grape varieties are grown in Mikulov. They cover as much as 80% of the area. In addition, the high calcium content of the soils and the stable, warm climate give the local wines a special, intense flavor and aroma. The most common variety is Riesling, which was brought to Moravia from the German Palatinate and northern Italy. The wines are fresh, refreshing, with aromas of summer fruit and delicate flowers. Local winemakers tend to search for their own identity, and their result is a grape variety called Palava. The wines are characterized by lower acidity, and the aromas are dominated by vanilla and roses. The other varieties are Chardonnnay and Pinot Blanc, mainly from French Burgundy.
The surroundings of Mikulov vineyards are perfect for long walks or bicycle tours. The “Mikulov Wine Trail” is an 82-kilometre long route, along which you can completely lose yourself in the unique atmosphere of this place.
Znojmo
The Znojmo wine-growing sub-region lies east of Mikulov in the area of the so-called Bohemian-Moravian Wierzchowina. Znojmo has always been an important center of wine-growing, as evidenced by the network of long corridors running under the town where barrels of wine were stored. The region is famous for the production of aromatic white wines, resulting from the fermentation of grapes from the varieties Veltlinske Zelene (Austrian Gruner Vetliner), Müller Thurgau, Sauvignon, Ryzlink Rynsky and the local Palava.
Velkopavlovice wine region
Against the background of other wine-producing sub-regions in South Moravia, the Velkopavlovice region looks interesting. It is the center of the production of red wines and really good quality wines. The structure of the soil is dominated by sandstones, limestones and loams, giving the wines noble aromas. The main crops stretch between the cities of Brno and Breclav, and the hilly terrain favors the exposure and maturation of the plants. When visiting South Moravia, you cannot fail to visit the main urban centers. Brno, which is also the capital of the region, was known already in the Middle Ages, but its greatest boom falls on the period of the industrial revolution in the second half of the 19th century. What remains of the former fortress is the Spilberk castle built on a hill, today a museum, and the largest and most characteristic monument of the capital of Moravia is the medieval cathedral of St. Peter and Paul. Breclav, on the other hand, is a small town named after the Czech prince Bretislav. In the Middle Ages, there was an important stronghold here, and several interesting monuments have survived here to this day, including the Liechstenstein Palace, which owes its present appearance to the imagination of the owners who lived in this place in the 19th century. Today, the building is the seat of a vineyard, where you can spend an interesting afternoon and climb the observation tower.
Slovak wine region
The Slovak wine subregion extends in the south-eastern part of Moravia, and most of the cultivation is located in the valley of the river of the same name. Low altitude above sea level and light soils combined with high temperatures in summer allow for wines with a clear, firm character. The varieties Ryzlink Rynsky and Rulandske Bile in particular give good results here, and of the dark varieties Frankovka, Zweigeltrebe and the local variety Cabernet Moravia. An important wine-growing center is the town of Bzenec. One of the first wine cooperatives was founded here, which became famous for its Bzenecka Lipka wine. Every year, the festival of vintners takes place here, which refers to one of the oldest festivals of this type in Moravia. Tastings are accompanied by performances of folklore groups, entertainment programs, theater performances for children and exhibitions. The most important part of the celebration is the procession with the participation of the god of wine Bacchus along with nymphs and residents in folk costumes.
Blue Mountains Wine Region
The blue mountains are 5 wine-growing villages – Velke Pavlovice, Nemcicky, Boretice, Vrbice and Kobyli, which share a common history, and the name “blue” refers to the cultivation of only dark grape varieties. The main grapes are Frankovka, Svatovavrinecke and Modry portugal, and wines have been produced in this region since the 13th century. The region itself is extremely picturesque, and the landscape is dominated by gentle hills, so it is easy to walk and cycle here. During the annual wine festival, you can move between the wine houses by specially organized transport. In the Czech Republic, there is an absolute ban on driving after drinking alcohol, so if you intend to get to know this region organoleptically, you should also include accommodation in the itinerary.
Czech Republic wine region
It is one of the northernmost wine regions in Europe. Naturally, those located in Poland and Hauts de France are above, where sparkling wines are produced, just like in Champagne. The wine industry flourished during the reign of Emperor Rudolf II, i.e. at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries, and the most important centers were Melnik, Litomerice, Louny and Most. This is the most easily accessible destination for PANEK car rental customers in the Czech Republic, as it is located 50 to 100 km northwest of Prague Airport. The region itself is not as spectacular as the one in Mikulov, where the vineyards stretch to the horizon, because due to the more severe climate, the individual vineyards are smaller and more intimate. However, the region cannot be denied its charm, because it is located on the slopes of the valleys of such rivers as the Elbe or the Vltava. The soil structure is dominated by heat-absorbing limestone and river sediments, which are especially liked by red grape varieties. Vines were already cultivated here by the Cistercians, and the most famous varieties are the local variety of Riesling (Ryzlink), Silvanera (Sylvanske Zelene) and Muller Thurgau.