South Moravia

More than 96% of all vineyards in the Czech Republic are located in Southern Moravia, only 30 miles south of Brno, the Czech Republic's 2nd largest City.

There are four main wine sub-regions in Moravia – Znojmo, Velké Pavlovice, Mikulov and Slovácko. The Moravia wine region is typically dotted with little villages comprising of many wine cellars – and often just wine cellars without any permanent residents or homes.

Znojmo is a region of white aromatic wines. The main variety Veltlínské zelené is unrivaled but excellent quality can also be seen in Sauvignon, Ryzlink rýnský and Müller Thurgau as well.

In addition, there are the outstanding varieties Muškát moravský (one of my favorites!) and Rulandské šedé(lightly sweet and easily drinkable.. I get this most nights at 'MY Cafe').

As regards red wines, the most common variety is Svatovavřinecké. Přímětice near Znojmo is known for the largest cross cellar in the world. Reds do not fair well in CZ mostly due to a short, cooler growing season. But I have liked a varietal called: Frankovka. It is like a cross between a Beaujolais and a Merlot.

Moravian wines claim to date back to the Roman times of third century AD. Moravia, is the main area for the Czech Republic's wine industry, providing most of Czech's wines. This region covers an area of 11,000ha under vine, lying between Brno at it's northern tip and Mikulov on the Austrian border to the south.

The average annual temperature around 9.5°C is undoubtedly the reason that 75% of the wines produced are whites. Grape ripening hence takes a slower pace, with berries developing a concentration of terpenes, producing highly aromatic wines.