Discovering the wineries of eastern europe: unique varietals and special wine regions

Eastern europe has a rich and ancient winemaking tradition

that is often overlooked in favor of its western european counterparts. However, this region is home to a diverse array of wine varietals and unique terroirs that are gaining international recognition for their quality and distinctiveness. This blog post will introduce you to some of the lesser-known wine regions of eastern europe, highlighting unique varietals and what makes these areas special.

1. Hungary: the land of tokaji and beyond

Tokaj

Overview: tokaj, located in northeastern hungary, is one of the world’s oldest and most renowned wine regions, famous for its sweet tokaji aszú wines.

Unique varietals: furmint, hárslevelű, sárgamuskotály (yellow muscat).

Special characteristics: tokaji aszú is made from grapes affected by noble rot (botrytis cinerea), which concentrates the sugars and flavors, resulting in a luscious, honeyed wine with high acidity that balances the sweetness.

Example wineries:

Royal tokaji: known for producing high-quality tokaji aszú and dry furmint.

Disznókő: a historic estate producing a range of tokaji wines, from dry to sweet aszú.

Statistics: according to the tokaji wine region council, tokaji aszú is produced in limited quantities, with around 500,000 liters made annually, making it a prized and sought-after wine.

2. Georgia: the cradle of wine

Kakheti

Overview: georgia, considered the birthplace of wine, has a winemaking history that spans over 8,000 years. The kakheti region is the heart of georgian wine production.

Unique varietals: saperavi (red), rkatsiteli (white), kisi, mtsvane.

Special characteristics: georgian wines are often made in qvevris, large clay vessels buried underground, which impart unique flavors and textures to the wine.

Example wineries:

Tsinandali estate: producing both traditional and modern-style wines, including aged saperavi.

Pheasant’s tears: known for their natural wines made using traditional qvevri methods.

Statistics: according to the national wine agency of georgia, wine exports reached 94 million bottles in 2020, reflecting the growing international interest in georgian wines.

3. Bulgaria: rediscovering ancient varietals

Thracian valley

Overview: bulgaria’s thracian valley is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world, with a history dating back to thracian times.

Unique varietals: mavrud, rubin, gamza (kadarka), melnik.

Special characteristics: bulgarian wines are known for their robust flavors and good value, with indigenous varietals offering unique taste profiles.

Example wineries:

Villa melnik: specializes in wines made from the native melnik grape, known for its bold flavors and aging potential.

Château burgozone: produces a range of wines including those from indigenous bulgarian varietals.

Statistics: the bulgarian vine and wine agency reports that the country produces around 120 million liters of wine annually, with a growing focus on quality and export.

4. Slovenia: a boutique wine paradise

Primorska

Overview: slovenia boasts diverse wine regions, with primorska in the west being particularly notable for its proximity to italy and high-quality wines.

Unique varietals: rebula (ribolla gialla), teran, refosco, malvasia.

Special characteristics: the influence of the mediterranean climate and unique soils contribute to the complexity and elegance of slovenian wines.

Example wineries:

Klet brda: the largest cooperative in slovenia, known for its high-quality rebula and other varietals.

Movia: an iconic winery producing natural and biodynamic wines, renowned for its innovative approach and exceptional quality.

Statistics: slovenia produces around 90 million liters of wine per year, with a significant portion exported to neighboring countries and beyond.

5. Romania: emerging quality

Transylvania and moldova

Overview: romania has a long history of winemaking, and regions like transylvania and moldova are gaining recognition for their quality wines.

Unique varietals: fetească neagră (red), fetească albă (white), fetească regală, grasă de cotnari.

Special characteristics: romanian wines often have a distinct character due to the unique climate and soil conditions, with a focus on both indigenous and international varietals.

Example wineries:

Cramele recaș: a leading winery producing a wide range of wines, including the popular fetească neagră.

Domeniile sahateni: known for its innovative wines and commitment to quality, focusing on both indigenous and international varietals.

Statistics: romania is one of the largest wine producers in europe, with an annual production of around 500 million liters, showcasing a mix of traditional and modern winemaking techniques.

6. Croatia: a coastal wine haven

Dalmatia

Overview: croatia’s dalmatian coast is known for its stunning landscapes and diverse wine offerings, with a focus on indigenous varietals.

Unique varietals: plavac mali (red), pošip (white), malvazija, grk.

Special characteristics: the coastal climate and rocky soils contribute to the unique flavors and high quality of dalmatian wines.

Example wineries:

Dingač winery: specializes in plavac mali, known for its bold, robust character and aging potential.

Grgić vina: founded by the renowned winemaker miljenko “mike” grgich, producing high-quality pošip and plavac mali wines.

Statistics: croatia produces around 60 million liters of wine annually, with a growing focus on exporting its high-quality wines to international markets.

Conclusion

Eastern europe is home to a wealth of unique wine regions and varietals that are gaining recognition for their quality and distinctiveness. From the sweet tokaji wines of hungary to the ancient qvevri wines of georgia, the robust reds of bulgaria, the elegant whites of slovenia, the emerging quality of romania, and the coastal gems of croatia, these regions offer a diverse and exciting world of wine waiting to be explored. So next time you’re looking to expand your wine horizons, consider the rich and varied offerings of eastern europe’s wine regions. Cheers to discovering new favorites!