Slovenia

The first vines were in this area about 2,400 years ago by the Celts planted. The Romans influenced winegrowing mainly in the area of ​​Poetovium (Ptuj = Pettau). The wine author Pliny the Elder (23-79) mentioned viticulture in the karst area and described these wines as an elixir of life. During the migration of peoples viticulture came to a standstill again. But in the Middle Ages, the wines were highly valued at the courts of Imperial Wien and Archiepiscopal Salzburg. The Austrian Archduke Johann (1782-1859) owned a sample vineyard near Maribor (Marburg). Even today, the influence of the historical and long affiliation with Austria-Hungary can be felt. As in most countries, in the second half of the 19th century, large vineyards fell phylloxera to the victim.

The wine-growing areas are located in the north on the border Austria (Südsteiermark), to the east on the border with Hungary as well as in the west on the border to the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, About three quarters account for white wines, about a quarter on red wines. Slovenian viticulture has had a very positive development. A showcase and pioneer is the winery Movia, There are many small vintagers with tiny areas. The Blend 2010 Statistics Kym Anderson ):

The climatic conditions are characterized by Alpine, continental and Mediterranean climate. After short, heavy downpours in the spring follows a warm summer and a long, mostly sunny autumn, which allows a late harvest and thus also mature predicate wines. Slovenia is divided into three large wine-growing regions with 14 origin-protected wine-growing regions. The vineyards covered in 2012 a total of 16,000 hectares, of which 507,000 hectoliters of wine were produced (see also under Wine production volumes ):

Podravje (Drauland) divided into two areas with 9,650 ha:
1. Stajerska Slovenija (Slovenian Styria) with 8.685 ha
* Haloze
* Ljutomer-Ormoz
* Maribor
* Ptuj-Srednje Slovenske Gorice
* Radgona-Kapela
* Smarje-Virstanj

2. Prekmurje with 965 ha
* Lendavske Gorice-Goricko

Posavje (Save area) with 4,328 ha:
* Bela Krajina (White Carnation) with 608 ha
* Bizeljsko Sremič with 1.264 ha
* Dolenjska with 2.456 ha

Primorska (Adriatic Coast) with 8,081 ha:
* Goriška Brda (Görzer Hügelland) with 1.992 ha
* Kras (karst) with 753 ha
* Slovenska Istra (Slovenian Istria) with 2,331 ha
* Vipavska Dolina (Wippachtal) with 3.005 ha

Wine categories : These are based as in Austria and Germany on the Mostgewicht of the grapes. The total quantity of the bottles produced or their number of liters must be stated on the label. The sweeteners are suho (dry), polsuho (semi-dry), polsladko (semisweet) and sladko (sweet). In August 2009, the EU wine market regulations became valid for all member countries with fundamental changes to the wine names and quality levels. There are the following new names or quality levels (see also in detail under quality system ):

* Vino (formerly Namizno Vino or ) = Wine
* PGO = Deželno Vino or country wine
* ZGP = Kakovostno Vino or quality wine
* VV z ZGP = Vrhunsko Vino or top wines / Prädikatswein
* PTP = Priznano Tradicionalno Poimenovanje or traditional wine

PGO (Priznano Geografsko Oznaka = recognized geographical name) :
Wine made from fully ripe grapes, natural alcohol content. 8.5% vol, maximum yield 120 h / ha, sensory and analytical test required.

ZGP (Zaščitenim Geografskim poreklom = protected geographical origin) :
Use of Quality wine-grape varieties and certain vineyards are prescribed, fully ripened grapes, natural alcohol content to. 8.5% vol (9.5% vol in the growing zone CII), max. Maximum yield 80 hl / ha, sensory and analytical testing required, with official tasting at least 16.1 out of 20 points must be achieved.

VV z ZGP (Vrhunsko Vino z Zaščitenim Geografskim Poreklom = top-grade wine, geogr.
This corresponds analogously to a predicate wine. In addition to the basic criteria, the following strict conditions apply: Registered , no enrich and no additives allowed, none deacidification, At official tasting, at least 18.1 out of 20 points must be achieved. The additional designations or types of wine are:

* Pozna Trgatev = late vintage (over-ripe od. botrytised; to the. 92 ° Oe)
* Izbor = choice (over-ripe or botrytised, to the 108 ° Oe)
Jagodni Izbor Beerenauslese (overripe or botrytised, to 128 ° Oe)
* Suhi Jagodni Izbor Trockenbeerenauslese (overripe or botrytised, to 154 ° Oe)
* Ledeno Vino = Eiswein (naturally frozen at reading, to 128 ° Oe)
* Slamno Vino (Vino iz Sušenega Grozdja) Strohwein (dried on reed mats)

PTP (Priznano Tradicionalno Poimenovanje = recognized traditional name) :
Wines produced according to traditional methods with protection of geographical origin. There are only four of them; these are Belokranjec. cviček. Kras Teran and Metliska Crnina,

Special wine names / types
* Arhivsko Vino = archive wine (Maturation 2 years barrel and 2 bottle, to 83 ° Oe)
* Mlado Vino = young wine (Marketing 30 days after harvest until 31st of January following year)
* Kakovostno Peneče Vino, Penina sparkling wine or quality sparkling wine