St. Martin's Wine (Svatomartinské víno) is the first wine from autumn harvest here in the Czech Republic. It is wine similar to Beaujolais in France. The wine comes onto the market here just a matter of weeks after the harvest, and it is intended for instant consumption. The Wine producers recommend this wine be consumed before the next Spring. The trademark "Svatomartinské víno", St. Martin’s wine was not registered until 1995.
The celebration connected with opening of young wine dates back to the period of Emperor Joseph II. It was he who gave permission to begin serving new wine from the autumn harvest just on St. Martin’s Day. The day is symbolic for the end of harvest and the main farming season and the beginning of winter.
St. Martin's wine is a young wine which is dry, light and fresh, with a low alcohol content (usually about 12%) and with a distinctive fruit-like character.
Four wine varietals are used for this special product – Müller Thurgau and Veltlínské červené rané for white wine, and Modrý Portugal and Svatovavřinecké for red or rosé wine.
The wine varieties and the character of the wine are firmly specified. The brand name "Svatomartinské víno” may be used by any wine producer registered in the Czech Republic who is capable of meeting the strict criteria.
On St. Martin's Day to go with this new fresh wine, a St. Martin’s goose, goose liver, stuffed chicken, St. Martin’s cakes or special feast doughnuts are to be consumed as well. .
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