Velké Pavlovice wine sub-region

 

From history to the present day

Written evidence of the existence of vineyards in southern Moravia comes to us from the beginning of the second millennium. They are often mentioned in the monastery archives, in deeds, purchasing or other documents, such as judgements in court proceedings over vineyard ownership or payments of tithes. Although not much evidence can be gleaned from these documents on the state of viticulture and winemaking in those days, nonetheless they do confirm the existence of vineyards in specific localities.

Probably the first written reference to viticulture and winemaking in the region of Velké Pavlovice comes from the year 1252, when Boček of Obřany gifted the new Cistercian monastery in Žďár a third of the crop of his vineyards in Pouzdřany, Zaječí and Velké Pavlovice. From the 13th century on rich city burghers became involved in viticulture and winemaking in the Moravian countryside. Because good vineyards were valued higher than a nice house, the citizens of Brno, Znojmo and Olomouc invested their money in vineyard planting. The most significant wine centre of the time was formed in just such a way in Hustopeče. In the town Hustopeče the largest Bergrecht court for Moravia was also established, which meant that all disputes concerning vineyards and matters vinous were heard here.

Grape varieties

Because the deep rich soils with their high magnesium content are suitable for black grape varieties, the Velké Pavlovice sub-region has become famed for its high-quality red wines. The most celebrated is Frankovka (Lemberger a.k.a. Blaufränkisch) with its typical purple hue, cinnamonny cherry aroma and a minerally palate with smooth tannins and a piquant crisp acidity.

Another black grape variety that deserves a mention, is the light, softly spiced Modrý Portugal (Blauer Portugieser). From the white grape varieties we have Veltlínské zelené (Grüner Veltliner) with a smoky nose and a spicy fruit aftertaste or else Rulandské šedé (Pinot Gris). Noteworthy wines come also from the aromatic varieties Muškát moravský (Moravian Muscat) and Tramín červený (Gewurztraminer), noted for having a typical spiciness on the palate and a nose reminiscent of roses and pine resin. Four quintessential Moravian varieties were crossed and developed in the Wine Research Institute in Velké Pavlovice – the white Aurelius and Pálava (work on its crossing was finalised in the Wine Research Institute of Perná) and the red André and Agni,, the latter of which came about through crossing the red variety André with the aromatic Hungarian white variety Irsai Oliver.

Vineyards – soils and climate

The principal vineyards in the Velké Pavlovice sub-region stretch from Židlochovice through Hustopeče, Velké Pavlovice, Bořetice, Vrbice and Kobylí as far as Velké Bílovice. Interesting positions can be found also around Klobouky u Brna, Krumvíř a Velké Hostěrádky.

In the Velké Pavlovice sub-region one can encounter perhaps all the geological subsoils present in southern Moravia, calcareous clay, loamy marl as well as sandstone. Whereas in the northern part of the region white varieties rule, for instance at one time the most widely planted grape in Moravia was Neuburger, suitable for planting on the dry sloping vineyard positions due to its rampant growth, in the central part, with its deep and warm soils with their high magnesium content, black grape varieties dominate. As a rule vineyards lie on south and south-east facing slopes, where the grape ripening is aided up by the warm winds. The local white wines have a pronounced nose and freshness, abundant with fruity and floral tones, supported by a high acidity content. With correct vinification red wines are full and round and may be esteemed as much as any of the red wines with resounding names from the outside world.

> Directory of winemakers of the Velké Pavlovice sub-region
Directory of wine-related tourist destinations in the Velké Pavlovice sub-region:
> winemaking museums
> matters of wine-related interest
> calendar of wine-related events
> Directory of other tourist destinations and services in the Velké Pavlovice sub-region on www.jizni-morava.cz

Wine trails in the Velké Pavlovice sub-region:

Velké Pavlovice wine trail,Brno wine trail, Communal wine trail of the commune of Němčičky,

Recommended www pages with tourist information and wine-tourism programmes in Czech and English:

www.velkopavlovicko.cz - comprehensive information server of the Velké Pavlovice wine sub-region. Here you will find plenty of useful information on the history of the region, landmarks, places of natural interest and wineries. There is also a cultural calendar and extensive database of hospitality services offered.

www.velke-pavlovice.cz - official web pages of the town of Velké Pavlovice. Tourist information on the town can be found on the 'Velkopavlovicko' pages mentioned above.

www.ticbrno.cz - server of the tourist information centre of the town of Brno. Here you can find general tourist information, tips for excursions in Brno and its surrounding areas, transport information and offers of TIC services.

www.hustopece-city.cz - official web pages of the town of Hustopeče. In the tourism section you will find contacts for the tourist information centre and the database of accommodation offered in and around the town.

www.slavkov.cz - official web pages of the town of Austerlitz (Slavkov) also offering basic information for visitors to the town.

www.zidlochovice.cz - official web pages of the town of Židlochovice. In the tourism section you can find a cultural calendar and a photogallery from past events. A database of services offered is currently lacking.

www.zidlochovicko.cz - information server on the communes found in the Židlochovice area. You will find here information about local history, winemaking and tourist possibilities.

Tourism and wine making information centres:

Tourist information centre of the town of Brno
Mečová 5, 602 00 Brno
tel: 542 211 090
e-mail: info@ticbrno.cz,
www.ticbrno.cz

Tourist information centre of Hustopeče
Dukelské nám. 23, 693 01 Hustopeče
tel: 519 412 909
e-mail: infocentrum1@hustopece-city.cz
www.hustopece-city.cz

Regional information centre Austerlitz
Palackého nám. 1, 684 01 Slavkov u Brna
tel: 544 220 988
e-mail: info.austerlitz@infos.cz,
www.slavkov.cz

Information centre Velké Pavlovice
Hlavní 9, 691 06 Velké Pavlovice
tel: 519 428 149
e-mail: infocentrum@velke-pavlovice.cz
www.velke-pavlovice.cz,
www.velkopavlovicko.cz

Regional tourist information centre
Židlochovice
Masarykova 100, 667 01 Židlochovice
tel: 547 426 024
e-mail: eva.stiborova@zidlochovice.cz
www.zidlochovice.cz,
www.zidlochovicko.cz

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