Page 58 - Terčelj, Dušan. 2015. The Culture of Wine in Slovenia. Edited by Aleš Gačnik. University of Primorska Press, Koper.
P. 58
he Culture of Wine in Slovenia
debtors who borrowed wine from these cellars had to return their debt after the following
grape harvest in the form of must to the measure of one-and-a-half times what they had
borrowed.”17 In the 17th century such neighbourhood cellars existed in every village, but
most stopped functioning when in the late 19th century the vine-louse destroyed most of the
vineyards. After they were renewed, some cellars continued functioning, but the tradition
has been preserved to this day only in Drašiči and even that more as a tourist attraction.
A typical Dolenjska house with a
cellar at ground level. From the
pre-War photo library of the Slovene
Ethnographic Museum.
The vineyards in Lower Carniola and
White Carniolla were on south-facing
hillsides. Beside them were zidanice,
where wine was produced and stored, to
be taken home as and when needed. Wine
was drunk at meals and during heavy
labour. The ethnologist Dular mentions
that most wine was drunk (and still is) at
weddings, as well as at name-day celebra-
tions and other festivities. “If a guest, a
neighbour or an acquaintance comes
to the house, they are always offered a
glass of wine. This custom is generally
established on farms which have their own
wine. Drinking customs are particularly
interesting at holiday times and at other
celebrations. Zidanice are thus the place An excellent architectural example – the Mihelič zidanica
where various celebrations, stag and hen (vineyard cottage) in Semič. From the pre-War photo library of the
parties, and personal and family festivities Slovene Ethnographic Museum.
are held. In White Carniola, as elsewhere
in Slovenia, wine is a welcoming drink.”18
The Littoral, encompassing the Vipava area, the Kras, the Brda Hills and Slovene Istra, has
since the settlement of the Slovenes been a big wine producer, as shown by old documents,
17 Dular, 1994, p.170
18 Ibid.
54
debtors who borrowed wine from these cellars had to return their debt after the following
grape harvest in the form of must to the measure of one-and-a-half times what they had
borrowed.”17 In the 17th century such neighbourhood cellars existed in every village, but
most stopped functioning when in the late 19th century the vine-louse destroyed most of the
vineyards. After they were renewed, some cellars continued functioning, but the tradition
has been preserved to this day only in Drašiči and even that more as a tourist attraction.
A typical Dolenjska house with a
cellar at ground level. From the
pre-War photo library of the Slovene
Ethnographic Museum.
The vineyards in Lower Carniola and
White Carniolla were on south-facing
hillsides. Beside them were zidanice,
where wine was produced and stored, to
be taken home as and when needed. Wine
was drunk at meals and during heavy
labour. The ethnologist Dular mentions
that most wine was drunk (and still is) at
weddings, as well as at name-day celebra-
tions and other festivities. “If a guest, a
neighbour or an acquaintance comes
to the house, they are always offered a
glass of wine. This custom is generally
established on farms which have their own
wine. Drinking customs are particularly
interesting at holiday times and at other
celebrations. Zidanice are thus the place An excellent architectural example – the Mihelič zidanica
where various celebrations, stag and hen (vineyard cottage) in Semič. From the pre-War photo library of the
parties, and personal and family festivities Slovene Ethnographic Museum.
are held. In White Carniola, as elsewhere
in Slovenia, wine is a welcoming drink.”18
The Littoral, encompassing the Vipava area, the Kras, the Brda Hills and Slovene Istra, has
since the settlement of the Slovenes been a big wine producer, as shown by old documents,
17 Dular, 1994, p.170
18 Ibid.
54
