Sevar, Blauburger: winemakers in southern Moravia give a chance to atypical varieties
Štěpán Maňák from Žádovice in the Hodonín region, for example, has a wide range of wine samples from various varieties. “When a new variety appears, I try to buy it for one batch, process it, and then when I like it, we plant it. I find out how different they are from others, I like to examine them. I’m the research type, “he confided.
Recently, she has been interested in, for example, Děvín, which is a hybrid of Tramin and Neuburg. “Then also Johaniter, which is a bullfinch type, and the late Savilon variety,” Maňák mentioned.
According to sommelier Marek Babisz from the National Wine Center in Valtice in the Břeclav region, customers are looking for new things. “Maybe they know Chardonnay, they want to taste something new. Even breeders are trying to make the new varieties more resistant and interesting. I don’t think I will replace the Riesling, for example, it will be a suitable addition to the portfolio, “says Babisz.
Previously almost unknown varieties will also appear at large wine competitions. “Cabvernet Cortis is already in competitions regularly. Malbeck, Carmenere, Muscaris, these are the varieties that are now appearing there, “said Babisz.
Recently, experts from Mendel University in Brno bred two more. Their names are Diadem and Ulrik, whose breeding began twenty years ago. They are grape. “Growers grow larger berries, the best possible resistance to fungal diseases, good vitality and if the berries can grow without seeds,” said Radek Sotolář from the Institute of Viticulture and Enology of Mendel University after the announcement.
However, winemakers also remain with historical traditional varieties, which are more complex for cultivation and production. These include the Neuburg. For the Sedlák Family Winery from Velké Bílovice in the Břeclav Region, this is a continuation of the family tradition. “The old man grew up Neuburg already, so we continue to do so. It’s our sweetheart. On the contrary, we planted this variety. The oldest vineyard is around forty-five years old, so far it is in good condition. If we ever knock it out, we’re still about ten years old. We do not intend to end the variety, “said Milan Sedlák for the winery.
For example, Ondřej Balcárek from Brno reaches more for traditional varieties. “I’m quite conservative in this and I prefer to reach for the varieties of wine I know, because I have at least some idea what to expect from it,” he said.
