Slovenia: Podravje

With 8,900 ha/22,000 acres of vines, this is (just) the largest wine region in Slovenia and also an official pgi, divided into two districts (also pdos). The extensive Štajerska Slovenija (Styrian Slovenia) district with its beautiful rolling hills is slowly regaining its former status, while the rather warmer Prekmurje district, a continuation of the Pannonian Plain in the far north east of the country, is of minor significance. In Maribor, the capital of Štajerska Slovenija, is the 400-year-old Stara trta žametovka vine, which locals claim is the oldest on the planet. In 1852, Slovenia’s first sparkling wine (penina) produced by the traditional method was made in Gornja Radgona.