📍 Styrian Slovenia

Slovenian Styria (Štajerska Slovenija) is a wine zone in north-eastern Slovenia, near the borders with Austria and Croatia. It is part of the Podravje region. It includes the hills around Jeruzalem, Ormož, Maribor and Ljutomer. Vineyards lie on slopes and terraces between the Drava and Mura rivers.

The climate is continental: warm summers, cold winters, and in autumn mists and warm days. This suits white wines, fresh and aromatic. The main grape is Laški Rizling (Welschriesling), with Sauvignon Blanc, Šipon (Furmint), Riesling and Traminec nearby. Wines range from dry to medium-sweet and sweet: in warm autumns late-harvest wines and wines from botrytised berries are made. There is also sparkling wine, Penina.

In Maribor grows the oldest grapevine in the world, more than 400 years old; it is regarded as a living landmark of the city.

Slovenian Styria is one of the country's best-known wine zones. Visitors come for tastings at small family estates and scenic roads. Across the border lie Austrian Styria and Hungary's Transdanubia, so wine styles are similar. Laški Rizling goes with fish and light dishes, and Šipon with meat and poultry.