Page 231 - Terčelj, Dušan. 2015. The Culture of Wine in Slovenia. Edited by Aleš Gačnik. University of Primorska Press, Koper.
P. 231
endix
A speech at the second
Slovene viticultural congress
in Otočec in 2002
Wine has accompanied mankind since the inception of the Mediterranean culture,
which is the foundation of the European civilisation. Wine was one of the basic elements
with which that civilisation was established: it was a drink, a foodstuff and a medicine.
It played an important economic role and, due to its special characteristics, also had a
symbolic meaning. The Ancient Greeks and Romans had a highly developed culinary art:
the enjoyment of different wines with different foods. The writers of that time described
the pleasures offered by wine and the richness of its aromas and flavours. The methods
of winemaking have been progressing to this day. Wine became a national drink with
which we have marked all our festivities and special events. We have learned how to create
characteristic wines in each region, each place or locality. That is our wealth, our cultural
heritage.
Today, globalisation is on the march: with its uniform industrial production, producing
goods as cheaply as possible in order to create the highest possible profit, even in viticulture.
Anything goes, as long as it does not harm our health. The fact that everything, even wine,
tastes the same is not important. Should we thus drink “McDonald’s” wine? This is what
non-European countries seem to want. On the other hand, there are the O.I.V. countries,
headed by France, which are in favour of the preservation of tradition, naturalness, specific
provenance and diversity. Wine should thus remain an agricultural product (rather than
an industrial one) and retain its romantic and mysterious character. It is up to us which
way our own legislation goes.
Last autumn, I was given for my birthday the book The Little Prince. This is a fairy tale
for adults, narrated by a child (the little prince) as he learns about the world and wonders
why grown-ups act so illogically. The book contains the thought that if you want to see
properly you have to look with your heart, as that which is essential is invisible to the
227
A speech at the second
Slovene viticultural congress
in Otočec in 2002
Wine has accompanied mankind since the inception of the Mediterranean culture,
which is the foundation of the European civilisation. Wine was one of the basic elements
with which that civilisation was established: it was a drink, a foodstuff and a medicine.
It played an important economic role and, due to its special characteristics, also had a
symbolic meaning. The Ancient Greeks and Romans had a highly developed culinary art:
the enjoyment of different wines with different foods. The writers of that time described
the pleasures offered by wine and the richness of its aromas and flavours. The methods
of winemaking have been progressing to this day. Wine became a national drink with
which we have marked all our festivities and special events. We have learned how to create
characteristic wines in each region, each place or locality. That is our wealth, our cultural
heritage.
Today, globalisation is on the march: with its uniform industrial production, producing
goods as cheaply as possible in order to create the highest possible profit, even in viticulture.
Anything goes, as long as it does not harm our health. The fact that everything, even wine,
tastes the same is not important. Should we thus drink “McDonald’s” wine? This is what
non-European countries seem to want. On the other hand, there are the O.I.V. countries,
headed by France, which are in favour of the preservation of tradition, naturalness, specific
provenance and diversity. Wine should thus remain an agricultural product (rather than
an industrial one) and retain its romantic and mysterious character. It is up to us which
way our own legislation goes.
Last autumn, I was given for my birthday the book The Little Prince. This is a fairy tale
for adults, narrated by a child (the little prince) as he learns about the world and wonders
why grown-ups act so illogically. The book contains the thought that if you want to see
properly you have to look with your heart, as that which is essential is invisible to the
227
