The Sava Valley (Posavje) statistical region includes the municipalities of Brežice, Krško, Kostanjevica na Krki, Sevnica and, since 2015, also the municipalities of Radeče and Bistrica ob Sotli. As a result, the larger centers are municipal centers, and negotiations on the future center of the province are still ongoing. The location of the region is also an advantage, as it lies along the tenth railway corridor (Munich - Bucharest) and along the Ljubljana - Obrežje - Zagreb motorway.
"The people of Sava Valley take seriously the Slovenian saying that wine is food. From top winemakers to those who will become in short time, on the left or right bank of the Sava river. In top wine cellars or local specialties, "repnica"s. Sava Valley is also a "gourmet mecca" of Slovenia. Here you can find restaurants that have been developing and renovating traditional Sava Valley dishes for several generations. Top-notch ones that receive international awards and simple ones that are close to the heart and wallet of guests who want quality home-cooked food in a pleasant environment. And where else but on farm tourism is to find a pleasant environment and food that comes directly from the barn or garden. Food without wine is not food. Sava Valley is a gourmet pleasure. "
Source: www.posavje.com
"The people of Sava Valley take seriously the Slovenian saying that wine is food. From top winemakers to those who will become in short time, on the left or right bank of the Sava river. In top wine cellars or local specialties, "repnica"s. Sava Valley is also a "gourmet mecca" of Slovenia. Here you can find restaurants that have been developing and renovating traditional Sava Valley dishes for several generations. Top-notch ones that receive international awards and simple ones that are close to the heart and wallet of guests who want quality home-cooked food in a pleasant environment. And where else but on farm tourism is to find a pleasant environment and food that comes directly from the barn or garden. Food without wine is not food. Sava Valley is a gourmet pleasure. "
Source: www.posavje.com
The Sava Valley wine-growing region covers 2.848 hectares of wine-growing areas in south-eastern Slovenia and is the smallest wine-growing region in Slovenia. Accordingly, Sava Valley wine also has the smallest market share (18 %).
The country is divided into three wine-growing districts:
- Bizeljsko-Sremič - 878 ha
- Dolenjska - 1.600 ha
- Bela krajina - 369 ha
Geography: The hilly landscape is interspersed in many places with narrow valleys and extremely steep slopes, on which even the vine prevents soil erosion.
Soil: Mostly composed of marls and sandstones with a limestone binder. Limestones and dolomites predominate in most areas where Cviček is produced.
Climate and precipitation: The average annual rainfall is between 1,070 and 1,200 millimeters, with the characteristics of the continental climate and the effects of the colder pre-Alpine climate. The wine-growing region of Sava Valley in the southeast of Slovenia lies along the lower course of the Sava River and borders on neighboring Croatia; Novo mesto is also surrounded by vineyards, and many vineyard cottages are typical of this area. For many years, the Sava Valley region has maintained the reputation of a producer of lighter white and red wines, although both international varieties and local specialties are planted in the area. Among them, in the foreground is Cviček, which has a special place in the wine law. Although many people believe that Cviček is not a wine at all due to its simplicity, its rich, more than 200-year-old past cannot be ignored. In the Sava Valley, vineyards are planted on steep slopes, where the vines grow in marls and sandstones, as well as on older rocks such as dolomites. The fragmentation of vineyards is typical, which is one of the reasons why the region has not yet consolidated its wine brand. Nevertheless, Cviček is a bright exception, as it is an important sales category. Almost half of the vineyards are owned by the red varieties Blaufränkisch and Žametovka (Kölner Blau), while the white varieties are dominated by Welschriesling and Kraljevina.
Bizeljsko-sremič
The Bizeljsko-sremič wine-growing district comprises the mountain ranges from Kunšperk to Laško and Zidani Most, and along the left bank of the Sava River to the confluence of the Sotla and the Sava River and on to Kunšperk. The vineyards stretch at an altitude of between 200 and 400 meters above sea level, with a sub-Pannonian climate characterized by dry, relatively mild winters and warmer and more humid springs and autumns. Bizeljsko was recorded in the vineyard books in 1880, when a phyloxera was first observed in Globoko near Pišece, destroying most of the vineyards both in Slovenia and in Europe. In recent times, sparkling wine producers have proved to be especially good. The first special Slovenian wine, which follows the production method of port wines, was also produced in Bizeljsko. Predicate wines, which compete for championship titles, regularly get prizes at international competitions.
The most widespread varieties: Blaufränkisch, Žametovka (Kölner Blau), Welschriesling, Rumeni plavec, Sauvignon, Chardonnay.
Dolenjska
The Dolenjska wine-growing district includes only those areas where the conditions for the growth of vines are still given, so it is much smaller than the geographical definition of Dolenjska region. It consists of smaller hills, which are separated from each other by smaller or larger valleys, along the bottom of which flow streams, creating a unique microclimate. Annual precipitation mostly does not exceed 1,100 millimeters and is evenly distributed throughout the year. The most common soils are sandy-marl and loamy. Heavier clay soils lead to more acidic and lighter wines, while lighter carbonate soils, which heat up quickly, have just the opposite effect. The basic image of the landscape is given by the river Krka. Dolenjska is the land of cviček, so the variety selection is also adapted to it. In recent years especially sparkling and rosé wines are becoming very much appreciated and more popular.
The most widespread varieties: Žametovka (Kölner Blau), Blaufränkisch, Welschriesling, Kraljevina, Rumeni plavec, Pinot blanc, Chardonnay.
Bela krajina
The Bela krajina wine-growing district is bordered by Gorjanci, Kočevski rog and the river Kolpa on the border with Croatia. Climate influences are Mediterranean-continental. The great diversity of different soils affects the organoleptic characteristics of wines, so the differences between neighbouring vineyards can be substantial. The climate is sub-Pannonian, and due to the Gorjanci, the development of the vine in Bela krajina is faster than in Dolenjska, as the climate is closer to that in Primorska region (maritime part of Slovenia). Bela krajina drew attention to itself twice: in 1981 with the production of the first rosé wine and then in 1985 with the first ice wine in Slovenia. In Bela krajina, they were also the first to produce young Portugieser wine, with semi-carbonic maceration - as in Beaujolais.
The most widespread varieties: Blaufränkisch, Welschriesling, Kraljevina, Žametovka (Kölner Blau), Yellow muscat, Sauvignon.
Source: Ovinu.si
The country is divided into three wine-growing districts:
- Bizeljsko-Sremič - 878 ha
- Dolenjska - 1.600 ha
- Bela krajina - 369 ha
Geography: The hilly landscape is interspersed in many places with narrow valleys and extremely steep slopes, on which even the vine prevents soil erosion.
Soil: Mostly composed of marls and sandstones with a limestone binder. Limestones and dolomites predominate in most areas where Cviček is produced.
Climate and precipitation: The average annual rainfall is between 1,070 and 1,200 millimeters, with the characteristics of the continental climate and the effects of the colder pre-Alpine climate. The wine-growing region of Sava Valley in the southeast of Slovenia lies along the lower course of the Sava River and borders on neighboring Croatia; Novo mesto is also surrounded by vineyards, and many vineyard cottages are typical of this area. For many years, the Sava Valley region has maintained the reputation of a producer of lighter white and red wines, although both international varieties and local specialties are planted in the area. Among them, in the foreground is Cviček, which has a special place in the wine law. Although many people believe that Cviček is not a wine at all due to its simplicity, its rich, more than 200-year-old past cannot be ignored. In the Sava Valley, vineyards are planted on steep slopes, where the vines grow in marls and sandstones, as well as on older rocks such as dolomites. The fragmentation of vineyards is typical, which is one of the reasons why the region has not yet consolidated its wine brand. Nevertheless, Cviček is a bright exception, as it is an important sales category. Almost half of the vineyards are owned by the red varieties Blaufränkisch and Žametovka (Kölner Blau), while the white varieties are dominated by Welschriesling and Kraljevina.
Bizeljsko-sremič
The Bizeljsko-sremič wine-growing district comprises the mountain ranges from Kunšperk to Laško and Zidani Most, and along the left bank of the Sava River to the confluence of the Sotla and the Sava River and on to Kunšperk. The vineyards stretch at an altitude of between 200 and 400 meters above sea level, with a sub-Pannonian climate characterized by dry, relatively mild winters and warmer and more humid springs and autumns. Bizeljsko was recorded in the vineyard books in 1880, when a phyloxera was first observed in Globoko near Pišece, destroying most of the vineyards both in Slovenia and in Europe. In recent times, sparkling wine producers have proved to be especially good. The first special Slovenian wine, which follows the production method of port wines, was also produced in Bizeljsko. Predicate wines, which compete for championship titles, regularly get prizes at international competitions.
The most widespread varieties: Blaufränkisch, Žametovka (Kölner Blau), Welschriesling, Rumeni plavec, Sauvignon, Chardonnay.
Dolenjska
The Dolenjska wine-growing district includes only those areas where the conditions for the growth of vines are still given, so it is much smaller than the geographical definition of Dolenjska region. It consists of smaller hills, which are separated from each other by smaller or larger valleys, along the bottom of which flow streams, creating a unique microclimate. Annual precipitation mostly does not exceed 1,100 millimeters and is evenly distributed throughout the year. The most common soils are sandy-marl and loamy. Heavier clay soils lead to more acidic and lighter wines, while lighter carbonate soils, which heat up quickly, have just the opposite effect. The basic image of the landscape is given by the river Krka. Dolenjska is the land of cviček, so the variety selection is also adapted to it. In recent years especially sparkling and rosé wines are becoming very much appreciated and more popular.
The most widespread varieties: Žametovka (Kölner Blau), Blaufränkisch, Welschriesling, Kraljevina, Rumeni plavec, Pinot blanc, Chardonnay.
Bela krajina
The Bela krajina wine-growing district is bordered by Gorjanci, Kočevski rog and the river Kolpa on the border with Croatia. Climate influences are Mediterranean-continental. The great diversity of different soils affects the organoleptic characteristics of wines, so the differences between neighbouring vineyards can be substantial. The climate is sub-Pannonian, and due to the Gorjanci, the development of the vine in Bela krajina is faster than in Dolenjska, as the climate is closer to that in Primorska region (maritime part of Slovenia). Bela krajina drew attention to itself twice: in 1981 with the production of the first rosé wine and then in 1985 with the first ice wine in Slovenia. In Bela krajina, they were also the first to produce young Portugieser wine, with semi-carbonic maceration - as in Beaujolais.
The most widespread varieties: Blaufränkisch, Welschriesling, Kraljevina, Žametovka (Kölner Blau), Yellow muscat, Sauvignon.
Source: Ovinu.si
