Page 232 - Terčelj, Dušan. 2015. The Culture of Wine in Slovenia. Edited by Aleš Gačnik. University of Primorska Press, Koper.
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he Culture of Wine in Slovenia
eye. I would like to apply this to wine. Some people only see profit in wine – a few cents,
perhaps, but if we add foreign provenance or powdered tannins, we can double that. If we
approach winemaking with our hearts, we see a different image. We see the beauty of our
hills, planted with vines, glowing in a multitude of hues in different seasons. In wine, we
can see thousands of years of effort in the creation of the wealth of an endless variety of
aromas and flavours. We can feel and understand all the worries, hardships and joys expe-
rienced by the winemaker. We wish to talk to him, to learn about his personality, which
is expressed in his wine. We understand the difference, not just among varieties, but also
among wines made by different winemakers and, indeed, of every single barrel of wine.
Wine reflects their knowledge, character, the love of their profession and the subtlety they
invest in the making of wine.
The richness of our wines lies in their diversity, which is the result of the natural conditions
and the love of winemakers. We must not reject this heritage, but pass it on to our succes-
sors. I consider winemakers to be artists. Artists do not allow themselves to be globalised.
It is them we have to thank that we are a European nation in the broadest sense and that
we have our own state.
Should we reject the new winemaking knowledge? Of course not. However, we must adopt
it carefully, so as not to destroy that which has been created by our predecessors, but rather
ennoble it. We must approach winemaking with love. And how do we express love? The little
prince says that with the care, attention and the time we dedicate to nourishing a flower.
Enjoy life, 2014. Photo: Aleš Gačnik.
228
eye. I would like to apply this to wine. Some people only see profit in wine – a few cents,
perhaps, but if we add foreign provenance or powdered tannins, we can double that. If we
approach winemaking with our hearts, we see a different image. We see the beauty of our
hills, planted with vines, glowing in a multitude of hues in different seasons. In wine, we
can see thousands of years of effort in the creation of the wealth of an endless variety of
aromas and flavours. We can feel and understand all the worries, hardships and joys expe-
rienced by the winemaker. We wish to talk to him, to learn about his personality, which
is expressed in his wine. We understand the difference, not just among varieties, but also
among wines made by different winemakers and, indeed, of every single barrel of wine.
Wine reflects their knowledge, character, the love of their profession and the subtlety they
invest in the making of wine.
The richness of our wines lies in their diversity, which is the result of the natural conditions
and the love of winemakers. We must not reject this heritage, but pass it on to our succes-
sors. I consider winemakers to be artists. Artists do not allow themselves to be globalised.
It is them we have to thank that we are a European nation in the broadest sense and that
we have our own state.
Should we reject the new winemaking knowledge? Of course not. However, we must adopt
it carefully, so as not to destroy that which has been created by our predecessors, but rather
ennoble it. We must approach winemaking with love. And how do we express love? The little
prince says that with the care, attention and the time we dedicate to nourishing a flower.
Enjoy life, 2014. Photo: Aleš Gačnik.
228
