The Czech Republic, the western half of the former CzechoSlovakia, is better known for its beer than its wine. However, it produces both in respectable quantities.
Czech wine production flourished in the early years of the 21st century. The government offered large subsidies for planting NewVineyards and modernizing obsolete wine-making equipment.
These measures, which were Part of the country's preparation for EU membership in 2004, were managed by the new Wine Fund of the Czech Republic.
Since then, the Czech wine industry has made considerable progress in terms of quality and quantity. Czech wines now compete in (and win) wine competitions throughout Europe and the United States. In 2011, for example, the country's contingent at the San Francisco International Wine Competition won 80 medals, led by a Grape/sauvignon">Sauvignon Blanc from Moravia that won the category.
Wine production in the Czech Republic is divided into two distinct worlds. The Moravian wine country in the Southeast is prolific and densely planted. Bohemia, in the Northwest, is characterized by smaller, more traditional family vineyards. The fragmented vineyards of Bohemia are located north of Prague in the Litomerice and Melnik regions.
Pinot Blanc is a grape variety that originated in Burgundy, mutated from Pinot Gris. Today, it is grown in Alsace where it is called klevner when blended with auxerrois. The continental climate, with its cold winters and hot summers, is particularly suited to pinot blanc. It is resistant to frost in winter and in summer, the roots draw the minerals it needs from the warm soil. Its bunches are made up of small berries with thick skins and melting pulp that produce fruity, spicy wines, balanced between acidity and alcohol. pinot blanc is also used for crémants and sparkling wines. Pinot Blanc is also used for Crémant and sparkling wines. It is widely grown in Italy, where it covers almost 7,000 hectares, and is also found in Germany, Austria, Canada and South Africa.
sparkling wines from the region of Czech Republic go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, rich fish (salmon, tuna etc) or spicy food such as recipes of wild boar bourguignon, salmon blanquette or dab with coconut milk.
