Slovak wine culture is underrated. If you’re serious about it, you’ll need the right vocabulary. Here’s the no-bullshit guide to terms that matter.
Basic Wine Types
Víno
/ˈviːno/“Wine”
The generic term. If you’re asking for wine, this is the word.
Biele víno
/ˈbi̯ɛlɛ ˈviːno/“White wine”
Self-explanatory. Slovak whites, like Riesling or Grüner Veltliner, are crisp and underappreciated.
Červené víno
/ˈtʃɛrvɛnɛː ˈviːno/“Red wine”
The heavy hitters. Look for Frankovka modrá (Blaufränkisch) or Alibernet.
Ružové víno
/ˈruʒɔvɛː ˈviːno/“Rosé wine”
Not just summer swill. Slovak rosés can be surprisingly complex.
Grape Varieties (Odrody)
Devín
/ˈɟɛviːn/A Slovak hybrid grape. Hardy, frost-resistant, and often used in sweet wines.
Frankovka modrá
/ˈfraŋkɔfka ˈmɔdraː/“Blaufränkisch”
The king of Slovak reds. Spicy, dark, and ages well.
Rizling vlašský
/ˈrizliŋ ˈvlaʃskiː/“Welschriesling”
Not to be confused with German Riesling. Lighter, often with a floral touch.
Wine Production Terms
Burčiak
/ˈburtʃi̯ak/“Young wine (must)”
Fermenting grape juice. Slightly fizzy, sweet, and only available seasonally. Drink it fresh.
Sladké víno
/ˈslatkɛː ˈviːno/“Sweet wine”
For those with a sweet tooth. Often made from late-harvest grapes.
Suché víno
/ˈsuxɛː ˈviːno/“Dry wine”
No residual sugar. The choice for purists.
Perlivé víno
/ˈpɛrlivɛː ˈviːno/“Sparkling wine”
Slovak bubbly. Not Champagne, but some are decent.
Tasting & Drinking
Vínna réva
/ˈviːnnaː ˈrɛːva/“Grapevine”
The plant itself. Slovak vineyards are mostly small-scale but high-quality.
Vínna pivnica
/ˈviːnnaː ˈpivɲit͡sa/“Wine cellar”
Where the magic happens. Many are open for tastings.
Džbán
/ˈdʒbaːn/“Jug”
What you’ll drink house wine from in rural taverns. No pretence here.
Pro tip: If you’re in Slovakia, ask for 'vínko' (diminutive of wine) to sound like a local. It’s the equivalent of ordering a 'vino' in Italy - casual and correct.
Regions to Know
- Malokarpatská - Small Carpathians. The most famous region, near Bratislava. Whites dominate.
- Južnoslovenská - Southern Slovakia. Hotter climate, bolder reds.
- Východoslovenská - Eastern Slovakia. Cooler, more experimental varieties.
That’s the core vocabulary. If you want more Slovak culture, check out Slovak Music Genres for another deep dive.
