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THE PANNONIAN HILLS AND PLAINS

In addition to its distinctive Adriatic, alpine, and karst regions, Slovenia is also characterized by the Pannonian hills and plains found along the lower reaches of the Drava, Kolpa, Mura, and Sava rivers in the eastern part of the country. These hills and plains cover more than one fifth of Slovenia, and three quarters of this land lies less than 300 meters above sea level. This is Slovenia’s main agricultural area with large fields of wheat, corn, and sugar beet in the flatlands and vineyards and orchards on hilly sites. Sensitive to climate changes, grapevines are planted on sunny slopes in the so-called “thermal zone” where temperatures in the autumn are higher than in surrounding areas. Winegrowing not only influences the appearance of the landscape and the orientation of the economy but also the way of life, the openness and eloquence of the people, their sense of humour, and the gentle Pannonian spirit in general.

The Goricko region between the Austrian and Hungarian borders has serried vineyards in the west and south dotted with weekend cottages and wine cellars, while in its central part there are even larger fruit orchards. The red Modra Frankinja wine of Mackovci is a real exception because the wine producers of this region otherwise pride themselves upon modern white varieties. Like the Goricko region, the Lendavske gorice region along the Hungarian border is famous for its high quality table wines (Lendavcan). The Moravske Toplice and Terme Lendava health resorts developed at the foot of the hills, both devoted primarily to treating rheumatic illnesses.

The Slovenske gorice landscape between the Drava and Mura rivers has many faces: in the surroundings of Gornja Radgona, Ljutomer, Ormoz, Ptuj, and Maribor there are large vineyards, around Lenart there are orchards of high quality apple varieties, and in the broad valleys of the Pesnica and Scavnica rivers they grow wheat, corn, sugar beet, and fodder plants. Here, top quality white wines are produced and matured in large wine cellars in Gornja Radgona, Kapela, Ljutomer, Ormoz, Ptuj, and Maribor. They are divided according to taste into typically “masculine” dry wines (Sipon, Laski rizling) and “feminine” wines (White Burgundy, Traminec, Muskat Otonal) with a more gentle bouquet. Most of the wines appear under the trademarks of the winegrowing areas: Janzevec, Ljutomercan, Jeruzalemcan, and Mariborcan. In Gornja Radgona, sparkling wines have been produced in the natural way since 1852, and more recently using the faster Charmat method as well. A special feature of the winegrowing hills are the wind-driven rattles used to scare off birds while the grapes ripen.

Below the northern edge of the Slovenske gorice hills are the springs of the delicious Radenska “Three Hearts” mineral water that is sold on every continent in the world. Slovenes like to mix mineral water with their wine in a refreshing spritzer. Since 1892, mineral water has been used for healing baths at the Radenci Health Resort along with thermal water (420 C), sulfur peloids, and the soothing microclimate as a natural health treatment.

Between the Drava River and the Croatian border spreads the region of Haloze, justifiably divided according to its diverse landscape into Vinorodne (“winegrowing”) Haloze and the higher Gozdnate (“forested”) Haloze. Experts judge that Vinorodne Haloze has such favourable soil and climate conditions as can be claimed by only one fifth of the winegrowing regions in the world. Here, the sunny slopes are covered with vineyards and the shady slopes by deciduous and mixed forest. The region produces top quality white wines (Chardonnay, Laski Rizling) under its characteristic Halozan trademark. West of Haloze below the Pohorje mountain range are the hills of Dravinjske gorice with their many winegrowing sites which also produce top quality white wines (Ritoznojcan).

Along the upper Sotla River there are many beautiful winegrowing sites in the hills where excellent table wines are produced (Virsencan). Even larger winegrowing areas are found in the Bizeljsko region along the lower Sotla where light table wines and sparkling wines are produced. Two of Slovenia’s larger health resorts have developed along the Sotla: Rogaska Slatina and Atomske toplice. At Rogaska Slatina, drinking and bathing treatments with mineral water are used mainly for treating diseases of the stomach and gullet, intestines, gall bladder, and pancreas. Mineral water has been bottled here since the beginning of the 17th century; Donat Mg mineral water is the strongest magnesium water in Europe and is found in many European countries on pharmacy shelves. The health resort will soon add thermal water to its health treatments. Near Podcetrtek, immediately beside the Sotla, Atomske toplice employs slightly radioactive thermal water (37° C) to treat rheumatic illnesses.

South of the Sava River around the Krsko polje plain are the hills of Krske gorice where the red Cvicek wine is produced. The thermal water at the Dolenjske toplice Health Resort rises at the temperature of the human body and is used directly in treatments. The Smarjeske toplice Health Resort has slightly cooler water that according to folk wisdom cleans the blood and strengthens the body and soul.

The southernmost Pannonian region of Slovenia is Bela krajina along the Kolpa River where a subpannonian climate prevails. The favourable climate conditions make cultivating grapes for wine possible here as well. The red Metliska Crnina wine is matured in the large wine cellar in Metlika and has achieved a special place in Slovenia’s outstanding culinary tradition.

Terme Catez Health Resort

Rogaska Slatina Health Resort

Knights’ Hall in Brezice Castle

Kolpa Valley

Ptuj