MORAVSKY KRUMLOV - Prague and the Czech Republic - page 256

Mikulov Wines
Czech wine is more than just a drink—it's a way of life. Although
the Moravians might not have captured the sweetness of the
Portuguese varieties, they did manage to ferment the taste of
grapes into their own authentic culture. Without experiencing
the wine tradition of southern Moravia, you will have missed a
good part of the country's spirit.
Wine has been made in the Mikulov region since Roman
times. Because no Roman soldier would fight without his daily
two-liter ration of wine, and since it was difficult to transport
unpasteurized wine over long distances, the 10th legion of
Marcus Aurelius planted its own vines on this region's limestone
hills (which reminded them of their homes in Tuscany). The Slavs
and the Germans found the vines long after the Romans were
gone and continued the tradition. In the 16th century, Anabaptist
refugees from Switzerland brought new energy to the wine-
making process. Today, the warm climate and the soil rich in
calcium (from the limestone) make the Mikulov region one of the
best wine-producing areas in Eastern Europe.
The most commonly used grapes are Ryzlink, Veltlínské
Zelené, Rulandské Bílé, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon for whites,
and Svatovavřinecké, Frankovka, and Cabernet Sauvignon for
reds. The locally bred grapes are Pálava and Aurelius. The vari-
ety of grape is only one factor that contributes to each wine's
distinct taste. Vintners discern wines by the type of soil in which
they grow, the orientation of the slope (which determines the
amount of sun), and—most importantly—the sugar content.
getting off in nearby Břeclav to pick up a rental car. Bors in
Břeclav is handy and rents Renaults (1 day with insurance and
unlimited mileage starts at 850 Kč; Mon-Fri 8:00-17:00, Sat
8:00-11:00, closed Sun, tel. [phone], mobile 731-606-
242, www.bors.cz, [e-mail]). To get to Bors from
Břeclav's train station, either take a cab (less than 50 Kč) or
walk for 10 minutes (exit into park, turn left, walk along main
street past the post office, then under railway bridge to gas
station and Bors Renault dealership).
SIGHTS
Of the scant sights in town, only the synagogue museum, which
chronicles the history of local Jews, is worth a visit (daily July-Aug
10:00-17:00, May-June and Sept 13:00-17:00, closed Oct-April,
on Husova street). You can skip the large castle complex in the
middle of the town; the castles in nearby Lednice and Valtice are
far more interesting (see page 258).