Petra Bredova - 'Vina Na Slupkach' Rysak 2021 (750ml)

About the producer...

Slovak by birth, Petra Bredova moved to Prague in 2012, where she fell in love with wine working as a sommelier. She realized that she needed to be closer to the vines. She started by working in the wineries of others. Eventually she bought a little land and began to make wine on her terms. She works alone all year, except for the moment of harvest, and helps others in their vineyards, fields or orchards to supplement her small production. Petra is a force. Young, talented and undaunted. Her impeccably maintained, tiny earthen domaine houses the wines of an individualist. It is located in the Moravian wine village of Bořetice in southern Czech, 40 miles south of Brno. For such a new winemaker her wines are unusually mature in perspective, intellectually not oxidatively; it is as if she is channeling the spirits of some local vigneron long gone. Nuanced, primitive, singular. The fine detailing of her wines originates from her obsession with nature and agriculture. The wines are impressively refined and consistent year over year, any modifications are gentle and always in a beneficial direction. Petra seemingly possesses an innate sense for what aromas and flavors will result in the wines due to the particularities of the vintage and how she handles it in the cellar; a skill set winemakers typically only develop through long experience, if at all. 

Petra’s entrancing wines are the mark of a true Vinař (vigneron). Growing each year by what her previous vintage allowed, vine by vine, bottle by bottle. Vina na Slupkach roughly translates to “Guilt on the Skins,” it is a play on words as all of Petra Bredova’s wines, be they from grapes white, red or mixed, are fermented with the skins; and guilt is universal

What is Ryšák?

A style of wine once ubiquitous across Europe today found only in the Morava region of Czech. It is called Ryšák, which translates as “ginger.” Historically vineyards consisted of mixed red and white grape vines, and the wines were resultantly mixed. As the European codification of appellation developed these wines disappeared in lieu of “pure” varietal wines or permitted blends. This makes it easier for the consumer to recognize brands but erases tons of diversity. We want that diversity! Ryšák can actually be just about anything. It is governed only by requirements relating to its farming. Region, harvest, yields, etc. It could be from any mix of grapes in any proportion. Co-fermented or blended in the cellar, sold young or old. There are not really many rules, encouraging producers to let taste dictate the final composition without losing the designation. Customarily Ryšák is easy drinking and convivial but the very best of them are the best of Czech wine.

Wine Notes: Petra Bredova’s production is defined by Ryšák most of all. While light in alcohol, Petra’s is full of character. Initially reticent and peppery, with air its perfume develops: rose hips, cedar, camphor and sour cherries. It is delicate, complex; aromatically it is masculine. On the palate it is lean and mineralic yet rich in umami. Fresh but not shrill with a sandy gently tannic grip. Something to open for mushrooms, spicy lamb or a nutty cheese.