Page 12 - Terčelj, Dušan. 2015. The Culture of Wine in Slovenia. Edited by Aleš Gačnik. University of Primorska Press, Koper.
P. 12
he Culture of Wine in Slovenia
Wine eternity –
international communication
of the culture of wine
in Slovenia
“Doctor Gačnik, Terčelj here. I’m still alive!”
Twas his introduction to every phone call. And then we began to talk...
he champion of modern Slovene viticulture and winemaking, Dr. Dušan
Terčelj (7 July 1923 - 23 November 2013), was a man worthy of respect, full of
knowledge, vitality and optimism, critical and mischievous, a theoretician,
practitioner and promoter, a dedicated and admired European Wine Knight
(Ordo equestris vini Europea). He had a historical memory for flavour and
a continuous desire to learn about new ones and think about future ones.
However, he was not only interested in wine itself, but rather the culture of
wine in the broadest sense of the word. And that is precisely where he differed
from his contemporaries.
Even in 2007, when the Slovene version of the book The Culture of Wine
in Slovenia was created and published, there was talk of an English edition.
Perhaps this would be even more important than the original since it ad-
dresses not only “us” but also “others”, which is very important with regard
to the international impact and the communication of the culture of wine
in Slovenia. If we want to be internationally visible and respected we must
first respect ourselves, our own heritage and culture, including that of wine.
And that is precisely the guiding idea behind this book.
On 7 June 2007, in a packed Ptuj Wine Cellar, we had the premiere presen-
tation of Terčelj’s book, which filled the gap in this type of literature. It is
based on close familiarity with historical sources and literature, with the
then conditions in Slovene viticulture and winemaking, as well as on the
invaluable personal experience of the always critical Dr. Dušan Terčelj and
his encyclopaedic knowledge. The Ptuj presentation was followed by others in
Ljubljana, Vipava, Gornja Radgona, Brič and Novo mesto. And everywhere, Dr.
Terčelj was warmly received because of his knowledge and critical reflections,
not only on the past but also on the future of viticulture and winemaking
in Slovenia.
8
Wine eternity –
international communication
of the culture of wine
in Slovenia
“Doctor Gačnik, Terčelj here. I’m still alive!”
Twas his introduction to every phone call. And then we began to talk...
he champion of modern Slovene viticulture and winemaking, Dr. Dušan
Terčelj (7 July 1923 - 23 November 2013), was a man worthy of respect, full of
knowledge, vitality and optimism, critical and mischievous, a theoretician,
practitioner and promoter, a dedicated and admired European Wine Knight
(Ordo equestris vini Europea). He had a historical memory for flavour and
a continuous desire to learn about new ones and think about future ones.
However, he was not only interested in wine itself, but rather the culture of
wine in the broadest sense of the word. And that is precisely where he differed
from his contemporaries.
Even in 2007, when the Slovene version of the book The Culture of Wine
in Slovenia was created and published, there was talk of an English edition.
Perhaps this would be even more important than the original since it ad-
dresses not only “us” but also “others”, which is very important with regard
to the international impact and the communication of the culture of wine
in Slovenia. If we want to be internationally visible and respected we must
first respect ourselves, our own heritage and culture, including that of wine.
And that is precisely the guiding idea behind this book.
On 7 June 2007, in a packed Ptuj Wine Cellar, we had the premiere presen-
tation of Terčelj’s book, which filled the gap in this type of literature. It is
based on close familiarity with historical sources and literature, with the
then conditions in Slovene viticulture and winemaking, as well as on the
invaluable personal experience of the always critical Dr. Dušan Terčelj and
his encyclopaedic knowledge. The Ptuj presentation was followed by others in
Ljubljana, Vipava, Gornja Radgona, Brič and Novo mesto. And everywhere, Dr.
Terčelj was warmly received because of his knowledge and critical reflections,
not only on the past but also on the future of viticulture and winemaking
in Slovenia.
8
