Podravje

One of the three wine-growing regions in Slovenia in the east of the country on the borders with Austria (southern Styria) and Hungary. The name means "Drauland". It lies between the rivers Mura (Mur) and Drava (Drava) with the wine-growing centre Maribor (Marburg). In this town there is an allegedly 400-year-old vine (see Žametovka). One of the most important Slovenian wine routes also begins in the old town centre. Podravje is divided into two wine-growing areas: Stajerska Slovenija with 8,685 hectares (Haloze, Ljutomer-Ormoz, Maribor, Ptuj-Srednje Slovenske Gorice, Radgona-Kapela and Smarje-Virstanj) and Prekmurje with 965 hectares (Lendavske Gorice-Goricko). That is a total of 9,650 hectares. The majority of white wines produced here are similar in style to those from northern countries. The most important white wine varieties are Šipon (Furmint), Laski Rizling (Welschriesling), Renski Rizling (Riesling), Traminec (Traminer), Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Sivi Pinot (Pinot Gris). Interesting micro-climates are located around the municipalities of Jeruzalem (Kog, Lahonci), Svecina (Witschen) on the Austrian border, Plitvicki near Radgona (Radkersburg) and Meranovo on the Bahern near Maribor. In Meranovo, the Austrian Archduke Johann (1782-1859) once owned a large property. Here he had French oenologists plant an experimental vineyard. Radgonske Gorice is considered a showpiece winery.