Slovenian wine: the back story

About Slovenian wine: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Ljubljana Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Slovenia is small, but it grows wine almost everywhere, and Ljubljana is the place to taste it. Wine bars and restaurants pour Slovenian bottles almost exclusively, and many are excellent.

Three regions

Primorska in the west takes in Goriška Brda, the Vipava valley, the Karst and the coast; Podravje in the north-east around Maribor and Ptuj is known for crisp whites; and Posavje in the south-east makes the light red cviček.

Orange and natural wines

Winemakers in Brda and Vipava revived the old method of macerating white grapes on their skins, which gives amber “orange” wines with real depth, and Slovenia is one of the homes of the natural-wine movement.

In Ljubljana the wine list is almost always Slovenian, and that is a good thing.

What to order

Try rebula (ribolla) from Brda, zelen and pinela from Vipava, teran from the Karst, furmint (šipon) and welschriesling (laški rizling) from the east, and a sparkling wine from almost any region.

Our advice: ask for a glass of something local and unusual: staff love to explain their wines. Book a tasting at Dvorni Bar or Movia, and if you have time, spend a day in Goriška Brda.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Slovenian wine: the back story before you go.