By Denis Sheehan, Publisher, H&C News: Embassy Tasting Kicks Off Campaign To Put Czech Wine On The Map.
The London Embassy, Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic and Czech Trade has embarked on an ambitious project with international trade specialists Cordoba Worldwide to shine a light on the country’s historic wine regions and acclaimed artisan producers.
With the majority of the wine produced in the Czech Republic historically being consumed in the country, the aim of the exciting initiative is to change that by driving interest, awareness and distribution in the UK of these often elusive but increasingly, highly regarded wines.
The campaign is being kicked off with an exclusive trade tasting at the Czech Embassy in Notting Hill on the 28th April 2022, which will run from 3.00pm – 5.50pm, before the event is opened to other Embassy guests in the evening.
Register for the free trade tasting event here.
The special event will feature ten award-winning Czech wineries and an eclectic selection of their latest juice from across the wine spectrum.
Winemakers and representatives will be on hand to bring the wines to life and explain the intricacies of their terroir, varietals, appellations and production methods.
Marie Chatardová, Czech Republic Ambassador to the UK, said: “With consumer interest in high-quality, artisan food and drink at all-time record levels, we’re delighted to be starting this initiative to shine a light on our country’s dedicated growers, producers and manufacturers. Our historic wine industry is incredibly innovative, diverse and forward-thinking so it’s great to be able to showcase and celebrate our talented and passionate producers to the UK and the wider world.”
Paul Wilkins, Managing Director of Cordoba Worldwide, commented: “The Czech Republic offers an untapped resource of high-class wines, where traditional practises are being spliced together with the latest modern techniques by the next generation of pioneering winemakers. Wonderfully diverse and filled with numerous creative, energetic and progressive producers, the category offers potent potential to excite and intrigue the UK’s adventurous and discerning drinkers. The event on the 28th is just the beginning and we have further activations planned to put Czech wine, well and truly on the map in the UK.”
Wineries in attendance at the Embassy tasting on the 28th April include:
WINERY ČECH
A fully certified biodynamic winery, Čech farms on 25 ha of vineyards in the Slovacko wine sub-region. The multi award-winning winery specialises in high quality, organic wines and combines modern technologies with long-standing experience inherited over generations.
Must Try: Čech Welschriesling
WINERY FUČÍK
A family-owned boutique winery in Mikulov, South Moravia, Winery Fučík was established in 2014 by Mr. Petr Fučík., although the Fučík tradition of agriculture and viticulture dates back to the 19th century. The progressive winery focuses on natural, high-quality wine production with minimal human intervention.
Must Try: Pet-Nat
WINERY J. STÁVEK
A family winery situated in the village of Němčičky since 1898. Today, the fifth generation of winemakers specialises in the Frankovka variety, which has been the top variety in the region for 300 years thanks to its specific soils. Red but also rose and white wines are produced from the Frankovka variety at this winery. The grapes for the wines are grown organically, in harmony with nature in Němčičky, a picturesque village aka ‘the village of nine valleys’ thanks to its undulating topography.
Must Try: J. Stávek Frankovka VOC
WINERY LAHOFER
Cultivating 430 hectares of their own vineyards to ensure absolute control, quality and consistency, the innovative winery produces around 800,000 bottles per year from their new, architecturally sublime winery in Dobšice.
Must Try: Lahofer Grüner Veltliner VOC Znojmo
WINERY LUDWIG
A family winery with over 130 years of winemaking heritage, the winery produces organic, especially attributive wines made from traditional grape varieties ripening in the best-situated vineyards in Němčičky.
Must Try: Ludwig 30 Hibernal
WINERY SONBERK
Based where vines have been grown for centuries in Moravia, the ideal conditions for growth were created by the south-facing slopes and a pleasantly warm climate with plenty of sunshine. Such conditions were embodied by the name given to this area: Sonnenberg; or ‘Sunny Hill’. The winery was founded in 2003 with a vision to use this historically proven location to grow the highest quality grapes, which would be transformed into the best wines in the Czech Republic.
Must Try: Sonberk Slámová Pálava
WINERY SVOBODA
A small family winery where vineyards have been cultivated for generations. Dating back to 1850, Svoboda Winery produces wine made using traditional processes. Based in Velke Bilovice, with 10 ha of vineyards, Mr Svoboda specialises in quality over quantity. Winery Svoboda is represented by Wines of Bohemia Limited in the United Kingdom.
Must Try: SvobodaSylvaner
WINERY THAYA
Thaya is one of the most progressive wineries in the Znojmo region in the Czech Republic. Located near the border with Lower Austria, the winery has a deep respect for nature and grows its own grapes on 105 hectares of its own vineyards. The grapes are given great care and interference and production is minimised.
Must Try: Blaufränkisch /Frankovka Rose 2021
WINERY VOLARIK
Volarik is situated in a picturesque town Mikulov, in South Moravia, with the 80ha of their own vineyards located mostly on Palava hillside. The most popular varieties used are Welschriesling and the unique Czech variety Palava. Volarik winery has built a reputation for its high quality.
MUST TRY: Welschriesling Terroir Železná
WINERY ZÁMECKÉ BZENEC (CASTLE WINERY)
Located in the beautiful and romantic Bzenec castle built in a pseudo-Gothic style, Winery Zámecké Bzenec has continued the heritage of the castle by still producing wines in the castle cellars to this day.The first sparkling wine in Bohemia and Moravia was produced in 1876 in the Bzenec chateau cellars. Adhering to traditional principles including the gentle handling of grapes, together with its sister company Mikrosvín Mikulov Winery, they carefully cultivate over 500 hectares of vineyards.
MUST TRY: Chardonnay Collection 1508
For more information on the event or additional detail on Czech wineries, contact Paul Wilkins at Cordoba Worldwide on uktrade@mze.cz