Pálava wine with traditional pairings; source: czechesotans.blogspot.com
In 272, Roman Emperor Probus introduced wine to the Czech region. During his reign, he ordered vineyards to be planted in the territory beyond the Alps. A Roman garrison established the first vineyard in Czechia on a hill below Pálava. Eventually, the Great Moravian Empire adopted the practice of viticulture.
The beginning of wine culture in Bohemia begins with a legend. In 892, the Moravian prince, Svatopluk, sent a barrel of wine to the Czech prince, Bořivoj, and his wife, Ludmila. The wine was a gift for the birth of their son, Spytihněv. Ludmila offered a bit of the wine to the goddess, Krosyna, asking for heavy rain. The goddess accepted her offering and blessed the land with rain, saving the crops. Later on, Bořivoj and Ludmila planted the first vineyard in Bohemia, between Nedomice and Dřísy villages.
Jan Sanders von Hemessen, The Tearful Bride, 1540
Beginning in the 12th century C.E., many monasteries started making wine throughout Moravia and Bohemia. However, in the early 14th century, Austrian wineries created competition for Czech winemakers in border towns. In 1325, Brno’s wealthy denizens appealed to King John of Luxembourg. The king decreed that from the beginning of wine season until Easter, only Brno wine could be sold in Brno. City officials appointed wine tasters to ensure that all wine coming into the city was from Moravia and decided the price of the wine. In 1370, Bohemia followed suit and ban the importation of foreign wine.
Throughout the next few centuries, various rulers implemented new regulations for viticulture, such as importation bans and taxation. However, in 1783, Emperor Joseph II abolished all viticulture rules and implemented a new set of regulations. The new 1784 patent allowed everyone to sell and tap food/wine/fruit they produce themselves.
Alphonse Mucha, Moet And Chandon Cremant Imperial, 1899
Unfortunately, many people died or emigrated during the Czech Revolution against the Austrian Empire. The decreasing population left many vineyards abandoned. Additionally, the disintegration of the aristocracy created a dearth of consumers. Instead, laborers moved to industry as the Industrial Revolution reached Czechia.
Now, vineyards only remain in villages with peak growing conditions. Thanks to the great Czech interest in beer, wine still remains in the background. Yet, starting at the turn of the 20th century, new farming techniques and coalitions allowed for more profit. After communist rule, the Ministry of Agriculture issued the Wine Act, creating new regulations since the turn of the century. Structural changes allowed for viticulture to do large-scale production. Additionally, globalization means that a larger consumer base can enjoy Czech wine. Still today, many villages across Czechia have wine festivals, celebrating the long tradition of winemaking and drinking.
Written by Josie Nunn
Source:
prof. V. Kraus et al. (n.d.). Historický vývoj vinařství V datech. Vína z Moravy a vína z Čech. https://www.vinazmoravyvinazcech.cz/cs/o-vine/pruvodce-vinem/historie-vinarstvi-na-morave-a-v-cechach/historicky-vyvoj-vinarstvi-v-datech