A Brief History

The Valencia region has a long history when it comes to wine making. There is evidence that 2700 years ago people were already producing wine here, as shown in excavations in the Utiel-Requena area. The Iberians probably learned the art of making wine from the Phoenicians (from around 800 BC), while later the Greeks and the Romans introduced new grape varieties and other methods of wine making.

Wine making became more and more a commercial activity; in Spain it got a huge boost in the 19^th century with the arrival in Europe of ‘Phylloxera‘ from North America, a small insect that feeds on the roots of the vine, eventually killing it. In the 1860s it appeared in France, where, within 20 years, it destroyed more than 70% of the vineyards. The French then came to Spain to buy wine – also to Valencia, and in particular the Utiel-Requena region; in the 1880s a railway was built from Utiel to the Valencia port, just for the purpose of exporting its wine. In those days more than 50 wineries were established around the railway station in Utiel. When the solution to the Phylloxera problem was found (grafting European grape varieties on resistant American rootstock), the French demand for Spanish wine reduced; many people removed the vines and planted other crops (oranges!), but grape production and wine making remained an important part of the regional economy.

In general, the quality of Valencian wines was not very high in those days. Wine was mainly produced for export and to blend with other wines, adding structure, tannins and colour. Indeed, even until the end of the 20^th century Valencia did not produce much quality wine, but in the last two decades the quality of Valencian wine has improved enormously, and now award-winning wines are being made in the region.

Valencian grape varieties

Valencia has quite a large number of native grapes that are now being used for making quality wine. In the 1970s-80s the Tempranillo grape (from the Rioja region) and French varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay were promoted in Spain, causing the (virtual) disappearance of many autochthonous grapes.

In the Terres dels Alforins region south of Valencia, from the late ‘90s, a new generation of wine makers tried to recuperate ‘lost’ grape varieties like Verdil, Mandó, and Forcalla, and is now using them to make interesting and high quality wines.

In the Utiel-Requena region the Bobal grape is dominant; in the past almost all grapes were Bobal, currently only 75% of all grapes is Bobal – a tannic red grape, nowadays used for making high quality varietal wines, something that only 20 years ago seemed impossible, as the Bobal was considered only good enough to blend with other wines.

The other 25% of the Utiel-Requena grapes is made up of French grape varieties, but the last 10 years mainly white grapes have been planted, for making Cava, the Spanish sparkling wine.

The Alto Turia area, just north of Valencia city, at 500-1000 meters altitude, is known for the white Merseguera, which produces subtle wines with a relatively high acidity. Also in Utiel some high quality Merseguera wine is produced.

The low-lying regions near Valencia City and in Alicante are known for the Moscatel grape, producing an aromatic white wine. In the past these sweet grapes were used for making raisins and sweet wine, but nowadays mainly dry wine, and some of them are really good!

In the warmer south, around Alicante, the Monastrell grape is used for powerful dry reds, as well as the historically significant Fondillón, the sweet ‘wine of kings’, which in the 17^th-18^th century was exported all over the world.

Wine tourism – culture, wine and gastronomy

On our wine tours we usually try to combine culture and wine; we go to the picturesque old village of Requena and visit some 11th century ‘wine caves’ for a short guided tour and a first wine tasting – really interesting! Or we go to excavations of an Iberian village, and visit a model Iberian homestead. After the “culture”, we go to a winery for a guided tour, visiting the vineyards, production area, cellars etc and learning about the wine making process, followed by a tasting of some of their wines.

After the “culture and wine”, we go for lunch, a 3- or 4-course lunch (with more wine), in one of the villages – a local village lunch or a gourmet lunch, both are possible, whichever you prefer.

We go to all the Valencian wine regions, but we only take you to smaller, usually family owned, wineries that produce high quality wines.

Apart from wine tours we also organise city breaks in Valencia, for individuals or groups, including hotel, transfers, meals and excursions in the city, to wine regions and the Albufera Lake with its rice fields, just south of Valencia, or wine tastings in Valencia city. Our tours are also wheelchair accessible.

Let the local wine experts of Valencia Wine Consulting & Tours organise your unforgettable holidays and (wine) tours in Valencia!

All holidays and tours are tailor-made.

Written by Johan de Smedt

Slovenia boasts a wide variety of both red and white wines. Today, we’re going to focus on the typical Slovenian red wines that you will come across during your wine tasting experience in Slovenia.

You’re probably very familiar with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, which are two of the most popular red wines around. But we’re also going to help you become acquainted with a few other interesting and tasty red wine types such as Refošk and Kraški Teran.

Here are Slovenian’s most popular red wines.

7 Typical Slovenian Red Wines

Pinot Noir (Modri Pinot)

Pinot Noir, which is synonymous with the French wine region of Burgundy, is undoubtedly the noblest red wine produced in the cooler parts of Europe. It presents quite a few challenges for the winemaker because it’s a difficult grape to grow.

This finicky grape variety needs very specific conditions in which it can thrive, and the yield is usually quite low in comparison to other red grape varieties. But there are some Slovenian winemakers that have taken up the challenge to produce some excellent Pinot Noirs. They’re mainly from the Primorska and Podravska wine regions, and there is one specific winery—Tilia Estate—that focuses primarily on this grape variety.

Young Pinot Noir is usually a little rough and dry, with cherry and raspberry aromas, while matured Pinot Noir tastes more velvety and slightly gamy with more nutty scents. It is excellent with simple red meat dishes or venison, mushroom dishes, or with matured mountain cheeses.

Blue Franconian (Modra Frankinja)

This vine is known in many parts of Europe and is less problematic to cultivate than Pinot Noir. It thrives on sunnier sites but is happy growing on almost any soil. In Slovenia, Blue Franconian is produced mainly in the Posavska wine region and is used mostly in blends together with Cviček, which is a typical wine from the Dolenjska sub-region in Posavska.

Modra Frankinja produces a characterful full-bodied wine that is both fruity and dry with some spicy notes. The aromas can assimilate those of Pinot Noir even though the two grape varieties are in no way related. You can combine Blue Franconian with rich stewed meat, roasts with heavy sauces, or game.

Merlot

Merlot originates in France and is the essential ingredient of good Bordeaux wines. It also widely grows in many wine regions around the world. In Slovenia, Merlot is very predominant in Primorska, mostly in the Koper area, but also producing great results in the Brda and Vipava Valley sub-regions.

This wine has a gentle, pleasant taste and a characteristic raspberry aroma. You can enjoy it as both a young and mature wine, but when aged it develops great noble qualities and a more aromatic bouquet. It’s also perfect for those who like a woody wine with strong tannins as these are qualities that can be very easily achieved with aging in barriques. It readily absorbs the aromas of fresh wood and produces a strong taste that appeals to fans of full-bodied wines.

Merlot is delicious with stewed beef, light game dishes, or pasta with heavy meat sauces.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Here’s another widely popular red wine that’s enjoyed by wine lovers in many parts of the world. It’s a highly valued variety in the Primorska wine region of Slovenia due to its characteristic strength and body. In fact, Primorska is the only wine region in Slovenia that has adequate natural conditions for the vines to thrive as it favors sunny sites. You’ll find Cabernet Sauvignon in Brda, Vipava Valley, the Koper areas, and even Kras.

Cabernet Sauvignon has a distinct aroma where blueberry and raspberry scents dominate, accompanied by a hint of drying hay. You can enjoy this wine young, but its full potential is reached when aged so it develops a more complex bouquet involving nutmeg and cinnamon. The taste also becomes richer and fuller, with a more velvety quality. With regard to food accompaniment, this goes best with roast meats like beef, duck, or pork, grilled wild duck, and hard strong cheeses.

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc is closely related to Cabernet Sauvignon, also originating from Bordeaux. Like its more popular relative, it grows only in Primorska—mostly in Brda, but also in the Vipava Valley and Koper areas.

Young Cabernet Franc has a characteristic aroma of freshly dried hay and is not as pleasant as when it’s matured. This wine is ideally aged for four to six years to acquire that much-desired elegance. When full-bodied, it goes well with game, pork, and grilled or broiled meat.

Refošk

This is a very old grape variety known for its dark skin. It is considered to be an autochthonous wine in the regions in which it grows: northeastern Italy, Istria, and the Karst plateau.

Refošk is a dark ruby-violet red wine with strong tannins and a dominant taste of wild berries and plums. You can enjoy this wine when young as it is lively and fruity. However, it can also be drunk when slightly aged and the fruity aromas blend into a more subdued and elegant bouquet. Refošk doesn’t benefit from extended aging.

Have this wine together with cured meat and cheese nibbles, game, or grilled poultry.

Kraški Teran

Kraški Teran is one of the most talked about local wines due to a dispute over its origin. However, we can say that it’s definitely native to the Karst region where the terroir lends itself highly to this particular variety.

Produced from Refošk grapes that grow in mineral-rich, red Karst soils, Teran wine is rich and full-bodied with a pleasantly earthy bouquet with some fruity notes. You can even distinguish it by its ruby-red color. It is also known to be one of the healthiest wines in the world due to its high content of lactic acid, iron, and antioxidants.

Teran and Karst prosciutto are the legendary pair of this region’s cuisine, so you can never go wrong when combining the two together. However, you can even have Teran with boiled ham and horseradish, sausages, and pork dishes.

This comes to the end of our tour of Slovenia’s most popular red wines. What more can we say than enjoy a glass or two of these, and na zdravje (cheers)!

Slovenia boasts a vast array of both white and red wines. There are so many varieties, you might be wondering where to start and which will more likely strike a chord with you. When attending a wine tasting in Slovenia, you’ll have the opportunity to taste a number of varieties of wine produced by different Slovenian winemakers.

To give you a heads-up on the types of wines you can find here in Slovenia, let’s take a look at some typical Slovenian wines. We’ll tell you which ones are autochthonous or native to Slovenia. And the rest of the wines we’ll be dealing with here are considered to be particularly suited to the terroir of Slovenia’s wine country.

In this list alone, we’ll be taking a look at only white varieties since there are so many of them. Luckily enough for you white wine lovers. For those of you who are more into reds, then you definitely need to take a look at this list of Slovenian red wines. Here are Slovenian’s most popular white wines.

10 Typical Slovenian White Wines

Welschriesling (Laški Rizling)

Welschriesling is a white wine grape variety, unrelated to the Rhine Riesling, that is grown throughout Central Europe. Originating from the Champagne region in France, it was so widely cultivated in the years right after World War II, it became known as Slovenia’s principal wine.

Due to its high resistance to frost and molds, Laški Rizling grapes are perfect for late harvest. Therefore it’s often used for making ice wines. It is established in all of Slovenia’s winegrowing regions with some slight variations according to region. Laški Rizling wines from Brda and the Vipava Valley in the Primorska region tend to be dry and fresh; wines from Podravska (mostly produced in the Ljutomer-Ormož, Maribor, and Radgona-Kapela areas) are richer and more aromatic; while those from Posavska are generally lighter.

Laški Rizling is perfect with saltwater fish like golden bream and red mullet, freshwater fish like salmon and trout, oysters, fish risotto, and fish stew.

Rhine Riesling (Renski Rizling)

Rhine Riesling, which is also referred to as just Riesling, is often referred to as the king of white wines. It has a long tradition in the Podravska region, particularly in Maribor, Ljutomer-Ormož, and Radgona-Kapela areas.

Young Riesling is fresh and lively, while when matured the wine’s taste and aromas become more balanced with hues of white peach and apricot. A matured late harvest Renski Rizling is one of the best white wines to be enjoyed in Slovenia.

You can enjoy Riesling with your favourite seafood dishes and grilled white fish, or you can even try it with some subtle pork, veal, and poultry dishes.

Suavignon (Muškatni Silvanec)

Sauvignon is one of the most widespread and internationally diverse varieties. It’s so popular in Slovenia that we even hold an annual festival each May to celebrate it. 

As in any country, Sauvignons produced in Slovenia have their own distinct characteristics. Sauvignons from the Primorska region smell of drying hay, while those from Podravska have an elder blossom fragrance. This dry white wine pairs flawlessly with seafood or shellfish such as clams, oysters, scampi, lobster, and crabs.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is undoubtedly one of the most popular white wines in Slovenia and beyond, and can be found in all Slovenian winegrowing regions. In both Slovenia and globally, its taste differs according to where it’s from, the only common factor being the smoky undertone in the flavour. This is due to the variations in micro-climate, which affect everything from vine growth and grape development to the fermentation process and maturing of the wine.

For instance, tasting a Chardonnay from the coastal Primorska region is never quite the same as tasting the one form Štajerska, since the latter is more inland and has a slightly cooler climate. So Chardonnay can present quite a challenge at a blind tasting. Try a Chardonnay as an aperitif, with cheese and light appetisers, or with pasta or fish.

Traminec

This is the Slovene version of the German Gewurztraminer and is so aromatic and particular that it’s easy to distinguish it from other white wines. The scent is reminiscent of roses, linden blossoms, and muscat.

Traminec is one of the specialties of the Podravska wine region, with the best coming from Maribor, Srednje Slovenske Gorice, Radgona-Kapela, and Ljutomer-Ormož areas. Haloze also produces good Traminec in warm years.

Pair Traminec with trout, salmon, and other fish dishes with special sauces or strong cheeses.

Rumeni Muškat

This is also a very popular white wine in Slovenia. It’s also got a distinctive bouquet: that of muscat, which is floral perfume scent. A large part of the Rumeni Muškat production takes place in the Maribor and Srednje Slovenske Gorice areas of Podravska wine region. But it can also be found in the Vipava Valley and Koper areas of Primorska, and Bela Krajina in Posavska.

Rumeni Muškat is best paired with strong cheeses like Gruyere, Camembert, Gorgonzola, or goat cheese.

Rebula

Rebula is the most widely cultivated grape variety of the Primorska region. It is thought to be autochthonous to this region and neighbouring Italy and has been around in these areas since the 13th century. The winemakers from Brda are producing marvelous wines from this grape variety, particularly orange wines—wines that have gone through longer periods of maceration.

Rebula is dry, fresh, and lively with a neutral aroma that resembles that of cedar. You can enjoy Rebula with saltwater fish or freshwater fish like trout or salmon.

Malvasia 

Malvazia is a very popular grape variety in the Primorska wine region. It was brought over from neighbouring Italy in the 13th century. The best conditions for its cultivation are in the Kras and Koper areas.

The wine’s bouquet is intense and fruity with notes of fresh peaches and apricots. Malvasia goes very well with fish and seafood.

Pinela

Pinela is an autochthonous variety grown only in Primorska. It had to endure a period of abandon, but luckily winemakers began to realise its potential so it’s experiencing a comeback.

It’s got a subtle bouquet with a fresh and fruity flavour. This is a great wine for those who like fresh and lively young wines as Pinela does not improve with age. So enjoy it young with light cheeses, freshwater fish, and pasta dishes with light sauces.

Zelen

Zelen (which literally means ‘green’) is another autochthonous variety grown only in Primorska. Winemakers disregarded it in the past, but then managed to revitalise it in years of intense cultivation. Its colour is in fact greenish, ranging from yellowish green to emerald green when the skins are fermented with the must.

The bouquet is gentle with hints of green apple, pear, and Mediterranean herbs. In the mouth, Zelen is refreshing with a harmonic, rich taste that recalls green tea and even herbs.

Time to Drink

Yes! Slovenia has some really interesting white wine varieties waiting for you to explore. So now it’s time to try these wines and form your own judgement and experiences. Cheers, or na zdravje!

E-Bike Tour of Vintgar Gorge

The gorge is a popular tourist resort in Slovenia. It has stunning natural views and landscapes. Thousands of tourists come here to see the stormy river and numerous waterfalls.

Meet in central Bled to begin your self-guided 4-hour e-bike experience of Vintgar Gorge. After a brief orientation session for the eBike, take off to explore the stunning landscape around Vintgar Gorge. Avoid the traffic, parking and queues, and soak in the views of the rolling countryside and beautiful nature of the area. With the eBike propelling you up hills, enjoy the views without breaking a sweat. After visiting the gorge, pause for a Bled cream cake at a local pastry shop before making your way back to Bled.

Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle

See the dramatic stalactite and stalagmite formations of Postojna Cave on a tour from Bled. Explore Slovenia’s second largest cave system, and then visit historical Predjama Castle, built within the mouth of a cave in the Inner Carniola region.

Take a guided tour of the cave system by electric train, and then walk through the beautiful passages and chambers of spectacular drop stones, pillars, limestone curtains and other extraordinary natural wonders.

Continue to the idyllic village of Predjama and visit the Renaissance castle built within the mouth of a cave. Admire the fairytale setting and architecture of the medieval fortress of Predjama Castle, famous as the former seat of the knight Erazem Lueger. Marvel at the dramatic setting among the hills of the Inner Carniola region.

Water Rafting on the Sava River

Enjoy this easy rafting experience on the beautiful Sava Dolinka River close to Bled. After a safety briefing, receive your full rafting gear, including a wet suit, life jacket & a helmet, then take a minivan transfer to the start of the rafting trip.

This river trip is suitable for families with small kids and anyone who would like to have some fun on some easy and slow II & II+ class rapids. The whole trip takes around 2.5 hours and you spend between 1-1.5 hours rafting on the river.

During the trip, the guide can take pictures for you which you can pick up later on if you like. If you are a first-timer you do not need to worry, as your instructor will teach you the basics and will take care of your safety.

Emerald River Day Adventure

This tour starts with a mini-van drive around Triglav National Park and right into the heart of the Julian Alps. There’s approximately 2.5 hours of scenic drive throughout the whole day with stops every 10-30 minutes for points of interests and activities (hiking, swimming, and rafting – all optional). There are 3 major and very rewarding hikes of moderate grade involved throughout the day, around 30-45 minutes each. Any or all of these hikes can be skipped by request of individual guests who can wait by the tour mini-van, which is always parked on a scenic spot.

Major landmarks you pass by on this adventure day tour are Lake Bled, Karavanke Mountain Range, Kranjska Gora, Jasna Lake, Russian Chapel, Prisank Mountain Window, Vrsic Mountain Pass, Ajdovska Deklica, Soca River Source, Soca River, Velika Korita Soce, Bovec, Kobarid, Boka Waterfall, Kozjak Waterfall, Most na Soci, and Mangart Saddle. The tour is a great introduction of the greater area of Triglav National Park and Julian Alps Mountain Range.

If there’s a particular sight, landmark or attraction you wish to see, tell your guide so they can point it out. Tours and adventures including Emerald River do not have any kind of firm or certain routes outlined. The itinerary is made by the local, English speaking, professional guide whose decisions are made according to the weather, road, trail, type of the group and special events, in order to provide the safest and most fun experience for each day.

Triglav National Park Tour from Bled

Discover the most spectacular natural treasures of Slovenia on a full-day tour of Triglav National Park. Enjoy activities such as hiking to panoramic view points and wild swimming in natural bodies of water. Get back to nature and explore Triglav National Park on a full-day tour by air-conditioned minivan from Bled. Journey into the heart of the Julian Alps on an approximate 3.5-hour scenic drive with stops every 10-30 minutes to see points of interest.

Take part in 3 nature hikes of around 30-45 minutes. Choose to skip any, or all, of these hikes if you prefer and wait by the minivan in a scenic spot. Get the chance to try wild swimming to refresh yourself. Visit major landmarks such as Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj and the Pokljuka plateau. Be amazed by the Vintgar Gorge, Alpine Radovna valley and pretty village of Mojstrana. Express your wish to see a particular attraction to your guide and they will happily point them out during the day.

Trip to Venice from Bled

Depart Ljubljana or Bled in the morning and journey to the historic city of Venice. Explore the beauty of the canals and monuments of Venice on a day trip with an English-speaking guide. Upon arrival, stroll the narrow streets and old piazzas, and learn about the most significant buildings and monuments.

Discover how the city was built on swamps to become one of the most enlightened cities of the western world. See the legendary landmarks of Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square), such as the Byzantine cathedral and Doge’s Palace. Hear legends about Casanova and Marco Polo, see paintings by great Venetian artists and sculptors and admire the world-famous Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal.

Enjoy some free time for your own independent Venetian adventure, where you can discover medieval streets in tucked-away corners before the return journey to Ljubljana or Bled.

In the world of various traditional medicine, many sorts of food have certain medicinal qualities and associated energetics. The meaning is simple. These foods or the associated ingredients in that particular food build a protective wall inside the body while defending the same from these recurring ailments. For instance, for backache or headache, we always head towards our medicine cupboard in search of an immediate cure. There are many food items or herbal drinks, which also caters to solve this female physical agony. And one such instance is none other than the ever-enriching Red Wine! The fact of red wine is so useful, seldom comes to our mind. But, the truth remains that ingredients in a glass of red wine can act as a shield against this kind of physical traumas. But, it is not that you continue drinking the same, every day, irrespective of your menstrual cramps. A couple of glasses of red wine, during your agonizing days, is more than enough to do the trick!

Red Wine – The best medicine

Resveratrol, present in red wine, is the main compound restricting the menstrual cramps. The active antioxidant present in it has the goodness of being anti-platelet collection, resists cancerous growth, anti-inflammation, and other vaso-relaxation agents. These all aid in the relief of menstrual cramps and related symptoms of Dysmenorrhea. Various scientific researches are still on, concerning the painful menstrual cramps, and still, the process is ongoing.

The alcohol content in red wine increases blood circulation, restricting the formation of blood clots. Menstrual cramps happen due to the low flow of blood during the time of menses. Red wine is much better than the white one, as it warms the body. After the consumption of a glass of red wine, it aids in channelizing the blood flow and acts as a prevention of scar-tissue development. But do not worry, as the blood circulation increases only to a certain extent, and never results in excessive bleeding.

During the menses, the female body tries to shed away with the uterine lining along with insignificant menstrual cramps and blood clots. Drink a glass of red wine, when the pain takes place — it acts as advantageously for the body. When there is bleeding, and the body tries to heal, the consumption of red wine facilitates thorough circulation. Also, be sure of consulting your gynecologist for better guidance and general tips.

Point taken

Nonetheless, if seen as a whole, red wine can act like magic during your menstrual cramp days! Have a glass or two of red wine during these days. It is the best medicine ever found in the world of traditional healing. The sparkling redness in it is the best healer, relieving you from the agonizing and dreadful menstrual cramps.

Orange wine is a white macerated wine. It is made of white grapes with maceration, a process for red wines. Maceration implies that during wine production the grape skin gets in contact with the must. Orange wines are characterized as robust and bold with honey flavors of tropical berry, hazelnut, Brazilian nuts, mature apples, linseed oil, juniper, sourdough and dried orange peel. On the palate, it is perceived as a dry wine as you can taste the tannins typical for red wines and the acidity of a fruit beer. Orange wine is often so intense that it is advisable to sit down when tasting your first sip.

“The history of orange wines takes place in the times of our grandfathers, especially in the Primorska region where mostly white wines were produced while the modern winemakers started to professionally produce it in the 90s. Today, many winemakers produce orange wines in all three of our wine-growing regions. Among the orange pioneers are certainly the Slovenians in Italy Joško Gravner and Stanislav Radikon and Valter Mlečnik from the Vipava valley. Today we find winemakers who produce orange wines in all three Slovenian wine-growing regions (Primorska, Posavje, and Podravje), “explains the sommelier. First orange wines were drunk 6,000 years ago in the Caucasus, in the area of today’s Georgia, in Asia Minor, and in the Balkans. The revival of this ancient process of orange wine production has occurred in the last twenty years. Many modern ‘orange’ vine growers in the area of today’s Georgia ferment wine in large underground vessels, called Qvevri, which were originally sealed with stones and beeswax.

“It is a mistake to believe that orange wines are the recent years’ trend since the cultivation of orange wines in Slovenia is a tradition and not just a trend. For true connoisseurs, a glass of orange wine has been popular for a long time, although the orange trend has only been around in recent years. The regions where orange wines are a tradition are Slovenia, Croatia, Istria, and Italy, and are a trend in Austria, Germany, France, the Czech Republic, Australia, the United States, and New Zealand. If you choose Wine Tasting Ljubljana, you will taste also our orange wine and other six Slovenian wines,” explains our sommelier Boris Vukobrat.

The sommeliers serve orange wines slightly warmer than a classic white, and slightly cooler than a red. The best temperature is around 12ºC. It’s also perfectly acceptable to drink them slightly cooler, around 10ºC degrees, if it’s hot outside and you want them to be very refreshing. Because of their boldness, orange wines pair excellently well with equally bold foods, including curry dishes, Moroccan cuisine, Ethiopian cuisine, Korean dishes with fermented kimchi, and traditional Japanese cuisine, including fermented soybeans. Due to the high phenolic content (tannin and bitterness) and the nutty tartness they exhibit, orange wines pair with a wide variety of meats, ranging from beef to fish.

#1 A walk around the lake

A trail around the lake is six kilometers long and suitable for everyone. By walking in the fresh alpine air you will charge your batteries and get ready for the longest night. Your walk will be embellished by a pleasant view of the island in the middle of the lake and the Karavanke Mountains in the distance. You can take the path and direct yourself to Castle Hill or nearby hills with a beautiful view of the lake and its surroundings.

#2 Ice skating rink with a view after lunch

„Bled ice skating rink with a view“ on the Hotel Park Coffee Shop terrace is a fairytale experience for families and lovers of all ages. It’s open from the 23rd of November 2018 until January 16th of 2019, between 9.00 AM and 9.00 PM. Every Wednesday you can try Curling, and every Friday you can do Salsa! And on the weekends you can ice skate to the rhythm of DJ Music!

#3 Taste Bled cream cake

Eating something sweet after ice skating is always a joy. Kremšnita is a symbol of Bled cuisine. You can get this dessert everywhere in Slovenia, but only one is the real Bled one. It consists of golden-baked leafy lard, delicious vanilla cream, sweet cream, and a crunchy leafy dough shaken with powdered sugar. It is served almost in every café and restaurant in the city.

#4 Festive Promenade and a visit to Christmas crib in the afternoon

This year a Festive Promenade a.k.a. Winter Fairytale will be set up in Bled from the 30th of November 2018 to the 6th of January 2019! It will be open from Monday to Friday from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM and from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.  The stands will offer festive gifts, typical food, and drinks from the Gorenjska region. We also invite you to visit the largest Nativity Scene in Slovenia.

#5 New Year’s Wine Tasting

At 8:00 PM we suggest you experience the roughly 3-hour long interactive wine tasting of seven great quality Slovenian wines from different wine regions. In the 100-year-old wine cellar at the Restaurant Murka, the sommelier will explain to you all the essential wine facts. Wine lovers will find out some fun stories, curiosities, and facts about Slovenian wines over the delicious appetizers. And after this evening you will be more than ready to enter the New Year. Sign up here.

#6 Midnight fireworks

After a gala dinner and during New Year’s kisses, take a glimpse into the sky, which will be illuminated by thousands of falling magical stars in the colors of the whole rainbow.

Make sure you don’t miss out on this magical experience and sign up now!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

1. Harmony or contrast

Pairing food and wine is a lot like creating a piece of art. Any knowledgeable artist will tell you the two basic principles by which you create a balanced composition are harmony and contrast. In art, this would mean you can combine let’s say a bright red surface with one that is also red but perhaps a bit darker. That would be harmony. On the other hand, you can also balance the bright red surface with a yellow one to create a contrast.

When you apply this theory to a culinary pairing it means you either look for a wine that tastes similar to your selected meal (harmony) or one that is the exact opposite (contrast). For instance, a cream sauce, which is mostly sweet and fat, will create a nice contrast with wine that has a slightly pronounced acidity, such as a Sauvignon Blanc. On the other hand, a creamy Chardonnay with lower acidity will create a pairing that is harmonious. In the end, they both give good balance and can be equally delicious, depending on your personal taste.

2. A Few Basic Rules

Before we head forward to the more specific pairings, here are some basic guidelines you should keep in mind when you’d like to choose a wine that will go well with your food.

– The wine should have more acid than the food

– The wine should be sweeter than the food

– The wine should have the same flavour intensity as the food

– Red wines pair best with strongly flavoured meats

– White wines pair best with lighter meats

– Bitter wines create a nice balance with fat

– It’s better to match the wine with the sauce than with the meat

– White, Sparkling and Rose wines usually create contrasting pairings

– Red wines usually create harmonious pairings

3. Wine and Cheese

The first rule of thumb is to look for a wine of equal intensity than the cheese. Intense wines with higher alcohol content call for intense cheeses and vice versa. That being said you should always pair a bold red wine with a slice of aged cheese. A nice example of this would be a pairing of Cabernet Sauvignon and Parmesan. The key, in this case, is to counteract the fat in the cheese with the tannins in the wine.

The second rule of thumb is to pair funky cheeses, such as blue-veined and stinky ones with wines that are sweet. Unusual as this may seem it actually works. The sweetness of the wine balances the funk of the cheese and gives an overall creamy sensation. One example would be a sweet Traminer with some super funky Italian Gorgonzola.

Another trick is to pair sparkling wines with creamy and sticky cheeses as they tend to dissolve the cheese and clear away the stickiness.

That being said it’s usually hard to miss if you pair cheese and wine from the same place (e.g. Slovenian cheese + Slovenian wine), so if all the above baffles you, just keep this in mind and you’ll be fine. And if for some reason that is not an option, you can always choose a firm nutty cheese such as Emmentaler and it will go well with almost anything.

4. Wine and Spices

Wine and spices should be matched on the principle of harmony. The key is to pair the aroma of the dominant spice with a wine that has that same aroma. For instance, a highly aromatic sweet basil goes perfectly with a Muscat or a Riesling. Tarragon, on the other hand, can do wonders with Chardonnay since it is more earthy.

Chardonnay also pairs well with shallots and turmeric. While Riesling, in addition to being a great pair with basil, pairs great with a number of different spices, including ginger, Aleppo pepper, horseradish, caraway, sage, fenugreek and allspice.

Rose is also a type of wine that pairs well with an array of spices, all though admittedly not as many as Riesling. Among them are lavender, shiso, black pepper and cumin. The last two make an even better match if the Rose is sparkling.

Another interesting choice for pairing with spices is Traminer. It does particularly well with ancho pepper, fenugreek, black cardamom and caraway.

5. Wine and Meat

Though it is usually best to match the wine with the sauce here are some tips on getting it right according to a specific type of meat.

For beef that is more on the lean side, such as an Eye of round steak or a sirloin tip side steak, choose a light to medium-bodied red wine that has a slightly higher acidity. Blaufränkisch and Merlot are good examples. For beef that’s more fatty, such as T-bone steak, you should choose a bolder, full-bodied red with more tannin. A good example is the Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannin in the wine will help neutralize the fat of the meat and balance your meal. Veal, on the other hand, is far more delicate so you can pair it with white and Rose wines.

For Lamb, choose wines that are a bit more delicate. Medium bodied reds generally make a good pair. However, if you prefer a bolder, full-bodied wine, go for one that has a tad less tannin than what is usual. You should keep in mind though that lamb takes on the flavour of the sauce really well. This means that if you’re having your lamb in a sauce you should pair the wine accordingly.

Poultry goes well with the number of light as well as rich white wines, Rose, and even light-bodied reds. Some good examples include oaked Chardonnay and Riesling. The latter works especially well if the meat is darker, such as a Duck. As for the reds, a good choice for most poultry is a delicate Pinot Noir. A good rule of thumb here is the lighter the meat, the lighter the wine and vice versa. As with lamb, you should also pay attention to the sauce.

In general, the pairing of pork is similar to poultry. You should choose light to medium-bodied reds, such as a Pinot Noir. You can also go for a fresh white such as Riesling. If you’re having a Pork Goulash an excellent pair would be a Blaufränkisch. Always pay attention to the sauce.

6. Wine and Fish

Lean fish such as Branzino and Sole go well with fresh white wines, especially sparkling wines. Fish that are a bit denser, such as Hake and Trout should be paired with aromatic medium-bodied or oaked full-bodied whites. Chardonnay or a very dry Riesling are 2 good examples. Meatier, steak-like fish, such as Tuna and Salmon make good pairings with rich whites and lighter reds, such as Oaked Chardonnay, Dry Rose and White Pinot Noir.

Fish that are very salty such as Anchovies, Sardines, Herring and Mackerel also make good pairs with a number of different wines. These include sparkling wines, dry Rose and dry Riesling.

7. Wine and Pasta

Pairing wine and pasta is all about the sauce. For tomato-based sauces choose medium-bodied reds. If the sauce has more meat you can also pair it with a more full-bodied red but keep in mind that it needs to have enough acid to harmonize with the sourness of the tomatoes. Some good choices are Zinfandel, Chianti and Nero d’Avola.

If your sauce is based on cheese, go for full-bodied whites or light-bodied reds. Pinot Noir, Ribolla Gialla and Chardonnay are all good examples.

If you’re having pasta with seafood, light to medium-bodied whites makes a nice match, such as Pinot Grigio and Muscadet.

For pesto use a light-bodied white that is equally herbaceous as your sauce, such as Sauvignon Blanc. Light bodied whites are also a great match for vegetable-based Primavera style pasta. Slovenia’s native Zelen and Pinela are two excellent choices for both.

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This brings us to the end of our post on pairing food and wine. If you’d like to learn more we recommend you go to a Wine Tasting. Not only will you be able to try all sorts of different wines, but the local wine expert will also be happy to help with any questions you may have on the subject.

1. Ptuj’s WINERY

The oldest wine cellar in Slovenia. Ptuj’s winery markets its wines under 3 separate brands: Pullus, Pinky Chick and Haložan. The cellar has nearly an 800 year long tradition. It has been awarded 5 times in a row as the Best National Producer by the prestigious international AWC Vienna evaluation, the largest officially recognized wine competition in the world.

About 12800 wines from 41 countries enter the competition each year and winning a prize in such fierce competition is definitely something to be proud of.

Ptuj’s winery is also popular at the Decanter World Wine Awards, the largest and most influential wine competition in the world, winning at least 5 awards each year, one of which is always gold. In 2016 they received a gold medal for their extraordinary sweet Pullus Chardonnay of 2011. Its qualities are an attractive aroma of ripe citrus and vanilla pudding along with a mild botrytised note. It’s almost oily texture is backed up by lively acidity and fresh overtones of orange peel, pineapple and grapefruit. A truly brilliant wine is suitable even for the most demanding and selective drinkers.

The winery received a bronze medal for Pullus Sauvignon that convinced the judges with its attractive nose of lime and jasmine flowers. The flavour was praised for being rich in texture with overtones of lemon, oil, cut grass and green apple. This wine has a lean and pleasant finish.

Pullus Pinot Grigio gained a commended Decanter award, signifying that this is definitely one of the wines, you’d want to have in your stock. It was praised for having a delicate character and fragrances of violets with hints of strawberries. The taste is elegant and fresh with a creamy texture.

2. Santomas Winery

Santomas wine cellar goes hand in hand with tradition, intertwined with a touch of modernity. The enchanting taste of their wines is a reflection of a true Istrian architecture and a visitor-friendly environment. These wines are made with a devotion to perfectionism and it is no coincidence that wine advocate Robert Parker, the number 1 critic in the world, rated Santomas wines with some amazing scores.

The Grande Cuvée 2006 – 94 of 100 scores, convincing with an almost Bordeaux like quality on both the nose and the palate. Full-bodied, with vibrant acidity and plenty of tannins this wine gives fabulous notes of black currants, white truffle, smoke, earth as well as a hint of chocolate. Definitely a must-try.

Antonius Refošk 2009 – 93 of 100 scores. A wine that is drop dead gorgeous. Deep, decadent and ripe, but still incredibly fresh and clean. When examining it closely you are able to sense hints of chocolate, dark fruits, smoke, truffles and liquorice. It has a distinct minerality on the nose and is definitely a wine to include in your collection.

Grande Cuvée 2009 – 94+ of 100 scores. Parkers favourite in the lineup and a true Rock star on the palate. Truffle, dark fruits, white pepper and full-bodied richness. This wine will surprise you with its stunning purity of fruit and inherent acidity combined with a distinctive freshness. Like all the other Grande Cuvees, this one is also incredibly youthful. According to Consultant Claude Gros, such wines are difficult to taste in their youth due to their high acidity and tannin. Nevertheless, at this point, these are all showing beautifully.

Another superb wine from this estate is the 2008 Grand Cuvee. With lots of acid, tannin and fruit still needing to mesh this one is also still a youngster. It resembles dark fruits, leather, truffle and chocolate. Other notable qualities are a pronounced minerality a full-body and the hallmark purity of fruit that’s common for the estate. Overall this is definitely one of those wines that improve with age.

3. Simčič Marjan

James Suckling, a leading wine critic, whose reviews are read and respected by fans, collectors and wine traders worldwide, described Slovenia as a country that makes some unique wines. He visited Slovenia’s coastal Primorska region and was particularly impressed by the Simčič winery with it’s biodynamically grown grapes. Many even white wines from this estate must be decanted, because of the natural sediment.

The first one to draw his attention was Rebula Opoka 2011 – A waw in a glass, according to Suckling, who scored it with 96 points. Opoka is a soil very rich in minerals which enables the production of some truly remarkable wines. This one resembles very ripe fruits and has a texture similar to those of red wines. Overall this excellent white wine is full-bodied, rich in character and has very little sulphur. The colour resembles light orange peel. All this makes for a unique wine that should be drunk immediately.

The second on Suckling’s list is Sauvignon Blanc opoka 2013. Another one bearing the exquisite character of the Opoka soil. It’s rich and fruity with hints of apples and lemons. Suckling gave it an honourable 95 points.

Another pearl from the hands of this winemaker is Leonardo 2009. A top recommendation from Steven Spurrier, a British wine expert, who described it as superb and extraordinary, carrying concentration, energy and depth. He gave 93 points to this sophisticated wine, the grapes for which have carefully been picked by hand.

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These are 3 most awarded Slovenian wineries. If you’re visiting the country or purchasing Slovenian wines you should definitely keep o on a wine an eye out for these. If you’re looking for a way to try the wines first it’s also a good idea to taste. That way you’ll go through a selection of the finest local wines with an expert who can offer some excellent advice about your further purchases.