Wine Regions of Slovakia: Where to Taste and What to Drink

The six regions

Slovakia's wine regions are Malokarpatská (Small Carpathians), Južnoslovenská (South Slovak), Nitrianska (Nitra), Stredoslovenská (Central Slovak), Východoslovenská (East Slovak) and Tokaj. Only the Small Carpathians and Tokaj are well set up for visitors from abroad. For the others, ask a local tourist office before you plan a route.

Small Carpathians, near Bratislava

This region lies north of Bratislava along the Small Carpathian Wine Route and includes Svätý Jur, Pezinok and Modra. Family cellars often need a booking, so check opening times. Modra is also close to Červený Kameň castle, which some tours combine with tastings. Getting there by regional transport is possible, see Bratislava for the base.

Tokaj in the south-east

The Slovak part of Tokaj is seven villages in the Trebišov district, with roughly 900 hectares of classified vineyards. The region joined the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2002 as the Tokaj Wine Region Historic Cultural Landscape. Permitted grapes include Furmint, Lipovina and Yellow Muscat. The prestige wine is Tokajský výber, a sweet wine made from botrytised grapes and rated from 3 to 6 putňa by sugar content. Tokaj is a long way from Bratislava, so combine it with Košice in the east.

Grapes to look for

Best time to go

Spring to autumn is the best period. Late summer and autumn is the harvest, when many wine towns hold festivals. Check dates with local tourist information. See best time to visit Slovakia.

Getting there safely

Slovakia is strict about drinking and driving, so use a tour, a private transfer or the train. See driving in Slovakia and car rental in Slovakia if you also plan a road trip. Pair tastings with local food from Slovak food to try and our beer guide.

A one-day tasting plan from Bratislava

Take a morning tour or a train to Pezinok, and visit a cellar or two on foot. Have lunch in town with a dry white wine, then continue to Svätý Jur or Modra if the timetable allows. Book smaller cellars ahead because family producers keep limited hours. Leave time for the return, and avoid driving after tasting. A half-day tour is easier because transport and stops are arranged for you.

What to buy and how to order

Wine is sold by the glass (pohár, PO-har), by the bottle (fľaša, FLYA-sha) and sometimes by the decilitre. Ask for suché (SOO-heh) if you want dry, or polosuché (PO-lo-soo-heh) for off-dry. Prices change by cellar, so check the current list. If you buy bottles, check the airline's rules on liquids in hand luggage and pack them in checked baggage.

Tourist offices in Pezinok and Modra can tell you which cellars are open on a given day. Some producers combine tastings with a light meal, which is a good idea if you plan several stops. Ask about the minimum number of people for a cellar visit, and confirm whether tastings are charged per glass or as a set. A designated non-drinking person or a transfer is the safe way to plan the day.