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Why Slovenian Penina is the sparkling wine style to follow
Do you hear this? No, it’s not Champagne. This catchy sound comes from Slovenia. As global demand for sparkling wine continues to rise, a new runner and rider is knocking the doors of international consumers from an unexpected corner of Europe. Slovenia’s traditional-method sparkling wine - Penina - is steadily gaining attention among sommeliers, buyers, and importers seeking fresh, distinctive expressions for modern consumers.
For years, Slovenia has quietly built a reputation as one of Europe’s most dynamic small wine regions. Slovenian skin contact - orange - wines became the country's trademark and a bright example of turning an ancient practice into a contemporary, internationally recognised style.
This evolution demonstrates that Slovenian producers know how to elevate niche categories into export-ready wine hits. And it seems that the next - sparkling - hit is about to foam from Slovenia.
Penina dedicated tasting event by local producers from Posavje region - by Dolenjska Penine
Global market data confirms that this window of opportunity is open: according to the “Sparkling Wine Landscape Reports”, carried out by IWSR (International Wine and Spirits Record) based on 2024 data, focusing on the U.S., France, and the U.K., At a challenging time for the global wine industry, sparkling wine is holding firm in key markets and gaining strong appeal among Gen Z and Millennials.
Sparkling wine is no longer tied to celebrations alone, it is now part of weekly consumption patterns. New generations of consumers are significantly contributing to rising demand, seeking artisanal and region-specific sparkling wines.
And this is when Slovenian Penina takes the stage as a newcomer and gets all chances to become a headliner of this sparkling show. What was once a shy local band, now is the new star, ready to start its world tour. And most probably, it is going to be a soldout.
A new favorite in bubbles? Early signs of category growth
Slovenia with the coolest zones in South Eastern Europe is establishing the new image for the country: as a cool climate sparkling wine producer. Photo by Krivec Ales
Across major wine markets, consumers and buyers are increasingly exploring alternatives to the classic sparkling benchmarks. Crémant, Cava, Trentodoc, Tasmanian and English sparkling wines have all benefited from this shift. And Slovenian Penina is about to be next.
The signs are clear: Penina is gaining export visibility, backed by consistent critical acclaim and rising global demand for cool-climate, traditional-method sparkling wines. At the same time, Slovenian producers are collaborating more closely than ever and moving toward unified quality standards - all strong indicators of a category on the rise.
Penina is no longer just an occasional curiosity. It is becoming a category with its own identity and long-term potential to be discovered by the world of wine lovers.
Historical background multiplied by the next generation of winemakers
The Srata Trta is well over 400 years old and holds a Guinness world record for the oldest cultivated grape vine in the world still bearing grapes.
While Slovenia is not widely known for sparkling wine in the way France or Italy are, the country’s sparkling heritage is not new. Deep roots and resilience - are the most prominent features of winemaking here.
The history of winemaking on the territory of modern Slovenia starts with ancient Roman vineyards, continues with monastic winemakers and even survives the communist era. Despite everything, the oldest cultivated grape vine in the world thrives in Slovenian city Maribor.
The first mention of locally made with traditional method sparkling wine - penina - dates back to 1853. It was the visionary winemaker Alojz Kleinošek, who studied in Champagne, brought sparkling wine making techniques to Slovenia and actually produced 12,000 bottles of traditional method sparkling wine from local grapes by 1852. And that wine became a huge hit already in 1853!
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Dr. Janez Bleiweis ( 1808 – 1881) a Slovene politician, journalist and public figure first mention term "penina" in his article on 10 December 1853: “Champagne or penina is the most popular and loved among today’s Slovenian gentry. There is no true festivity or ceremony where penina would not foam.”
Since that time penina became a part of local eno and gastronomical culture.
The wind of post-communism changes brought for Slovenian producers optimism and new opportunities, including the ability to focus on viticulture and winemaking according to their own vision.
This formed the strong basis for the modern boom of high quality local wine. But it wasn’t only the grapes that Slovenia was growing successfully: the new generation of visionary winemakers grew here too. And both they - grapes and winemakers - have great conditions to thrive here, even despite the recent climate chaos.
Natural advantages of Slovenia as sparkling wine producer:
cool-climate zones and indigenous varieties
Main Slovenian grape growing and wine producing regions also have sub zones suitable for sparkling wine production
Alpine, Pannonian, and Mediterranean climatic influences in Slovenia vary depending on the region:
Primorje (Littoral) - the most western region next to the Adriatic sea with warm Mediterranean climate dominates with sub zones protected by natural barriers from the excessive warmth, benefiting from the moderating effects of higher elevation sites and steady cooling airflow in the valleys.
Podravje (Drava Valley) - North-Eastern region with mainly continental, Pannonian climate with significant diurnal shifts, frequent winds providing excellent ventilation for vineyards. Some zones also benefit from Alpine influences, which promote a slow grape maturation and protects acidity.
Posavje (Sava Valley) - South-Eastern region with even more significant Alpine influences and continental climate. Some zones are completely shielded by mountains from the Mediterranean warmth and therefore the coolest subregion of Slovenia takes place here.
Several areas with the most prominent cooling influences are particularly known for their sparkling wine production, including Dolenjska, Bizeljsko-Sremič, Vipava Valley and Radgonsko-Kapelski.
Vipava Valley
Vipava Valley - the sub region of Primorje
Vipava Valley - despite being located in the warmest region Primorje, higher elevation sites of the valley offer a balance of Mediterranean warmth and Alpine influence. This area benefits from the moderating effects of altitude, cooler nights and steady airflow by the Vipava winds.
Vipava is famous as an important region for skin contact wine in Slovenia. However, local conditions ensure ripening of good quality grapes while keeping their acidity at the level high enough to produce sparkling wine. Recently a lot of producers diversify their product lines and start adding penina to their portfolios.
Grape varieties like Chardonnay, local Zelen and Rebula are used to produce penina mainly with charmat method.
Radgonsko - Kapelski
Mura River is a border between the modern Slovenia and Austria and the natural border of Podravje wine growing region
Radgonsko - Kapelski - the most northern area of Podravje wine growing region, located on the Slovenian / Austrian border. You can actually walk from Slovenia to Austria and back while visiting the historical penina cellars of the Radgonske Gorice - these cellars hosted that famous 12000 bottles of the first penina vintage 1852 by Alojz Kleinošek!
This area is also a meeting point of refreshing continental influence and the dry Pannonian climate. Vineyards benefit from the multiple aspects with different exposures on the local hills. Traditional and charmat methods are used to produce penina with Chardonnay, Point Noir.
Despite being the largest producer of sparkling wines in Slovenia and working with a high volume model, Radgonske Gorice notably improved the overall quality of penina produced recently and as a result - the renewed image of the region: charmat method peninas offer not just an affordable price, but a good quality as well.
Bizeljsko-Sremič
Bizeljsko-Sremič sub region of Posavje is in the South-East of Slovenia and has a sub-Pannonian and continental climate with some moderating Alpine influence.
Bizeljsko-Sremič sub region of Posavje is in the South-East of Slovenia and has a sub-Pannonian and continental climate with some moderating Alpine influence.
Cooler conditions allow to grow grapes like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Rumeni Plavec, Laški Riesling with a good level of acidity and capacity of forming a quality structure for traditional method peninas.
For example, peninas made with indigenous Rumeni Plavec offer particularly interesting fresh expressions with bright acidity and good aging potential. Penina specialised producer Istenič is an inspiring example of few generations working together to produce high quality penina which mirrors the terroir of the subregion quite impressively.
Dolenjska
Sub region Dolenjska is almost isolated from the Mediterranean warmth by natural mountainous shields.
Dolenjska is the coolest sub region in Posavje and the whole southeast Europe, hence it shows the highest potential as a traditional method penina producing region. Dolenjska is located slightly closer to the Alps compared to Bizeljsko-Sremič, and therefore has a slightly cooler continental climate with strong influences of the colder pre-Alpine climate.
The area is almost isolated from the Mediterranean warmth by natural mountainous shields. And frequent fog, which spreads over the area not just in the morning hours and attracts tourists and photographers from all over the world, also contributes to making Dolenjska’s conditions even cooler.
Vineyards here are planted on the southern and south-western slopes. Agricultural use alternates with forest use, which is predominant on the northern slopes. In this cool region the forest provides protection for the vineyards, has a favourable effect on the macro-climate, prevents soil creep and moderates wind influence. In such cool conditions accumulation of sugar is quite slow and harvest for sparkling wine grapes can be done relatively late - even till the end of October.
Local Slovenian Žametna Črnina is both - late ripening and with a high acidity level. Traditionally being used for local red blend, recently it enjoys rebirth as a main sparking wine grape of this area. On its own or together with classical varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Žametna Črnina inspired the first union of penina oriented producers.
Grapes of Žametna Črnina - indigenous Slovenian variety, spread from Maribor to Dolenjska sub region of Posavje
Like a dynamo machine, it drives forward not only Dolenjska, but the whole sparkling wine style of Slovenia. By the way, these Žametna Črnina vines in Dolenjska are offsprings of that famous Stra Trata in Maribor - the Guinness record holder as the oldest cultivated grape vine in the world. It seems like in addition to winemaking potential, it contributes to a solid storytelling potential too.
Slovenia’s native varieties offer something increasingly valuable in global markets: differentiation.
These several indigenous grapes which show exceptional potential for sparkling wine are also important contributors to regional penina style identity.
Žametna Črnina
Žametna Črnina with its natural characteristics like late ripening, bright acidity, and naturally low alcohol and ageing potential fills up all ticks for the great traditional-method sparkling wine. It spread to Dolenjska from Maribor and became the symbolic variety for this region a long time ago. But today it is becoming a modern reflection of Dolenjska terroir-driven Peninas.
Rebula (Ribolla Gialla)
Rebula (Ribolla Gialla) adds another dimension. Known already as a skin contact star, Rebula uses the extended lees aging to get to the next level. Delicacy and structure are united to bring out that Adriatic-Alpine vibe right to your glass. This is how Peninas from Vipava Valley stand out and become the sparkling mirror of the region.
And Rumeni Plavec is attracting more attention, as a variety that is stable in offering high acidity and low potential alcohol despite the changing climate pressure. Unique, razor sharp structure with finesse, freshness and potential to gain impressive complexity with time - these key characteristics shape the portrait of sparkling wines from Bizeljsko-Sremič.
Rumeni Plavec
Slovenian growers have long demonstrated mastery of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Not to replicate Champagne, but to apply to Penina the same quality markers usually used for classic varieties in classic regions. And when the high level of quality is reached, the next step was to add the uniqueness with usage of indigenous Slovenian varieties. This level also seems to be completed successfully.
So, what is next for Penina?
As you can see, Penina’s identity is not limited to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir usage only. Though Slovenia excels with those too.
Penina opens up to the world
One of the examples of Slovenian producers union - sparkling wine producers from Dolenjska during penina wine tasting
Almost all Slovenian wine, including sparkling, is consumed domestically and Slovenians seem to be very happy about it. Tourists are also happy to contribute to this statistic. Recently only about 6% of total wine produced in Slovenia made it abroad (According to OIV country report for Slovenia, 2023).
OIV country report 2023 - Slovenia
However, over the past decades, Slovenian producers have appeared with growing frequency at major international competitions and in reviews of influential wine critics.
Penina samples usually do not come back without medals from competitions like the Decanter World Wine Awards, the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships, the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, and the International Wine and Spirits Competition. Even Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate gave 91 points to Penina from Posavje in 2009 and included it to the list of the top 10 sparkling wines of the year.
As a result, several producers are now building international profiles and getting noticed by respected wine professionals like Caroline Gilby MW (read the latest article here), Jamie Goode (read articles here and here)
Such individual achievements by producers created motivation for the whole Slovenian sector.
Active boutique producers like Frelih, Bjana, Slapšak, Albiana contribute a lot to not just their own self improvement, but the whole wine industry development. The movement towards a sharper, clear identity already became a trend.
Producers are increasingly defining their wines by region (Dolenjska vs. Bizeljsko-Sremič vs. Vipava), by grape variety (Rebula, Žametna Črnina, Šipon), and by house style.
Details that were once rare - dosage, time on lees, single-vineyard origins, autolytic versus fruit-driven profiles, monovarietal versus blends - are now becoming standard description on the back label.
Another powerful indicator of the Penina category reaching the next level is what happens behind the scenes: producer organisation.
Recently formed Slovenska Velika Lega (SVL) - is an association of vintners in Slovenia who answers “Yes”! to the question, if the winemaker is a part of the terroir? SVL states: “Terroir is all about the 3P. The Plant, the Place and the People.”
SVL builds a pyramid of classification, describing still and sparkling wine qualities and regulations (the grapes origin, allowed varieties, max yields and release dates).
There's also a SVL category for sparkling producers which emphasises place first and then highlights secondary fermentation in the bottle.
Sparkling focused local producer association in Dolenjska - “Dolenjska Penina” - actively joint forces to promote their wines, organize events and communicate their shared quality oriented values in a more clear and united way.
Therefore, among other things, they are committed to hand-picking grapes in small crates and pressing whole grapes. Their mission is to promote and raise the quality of sparkling wines of the region.
While not yet as codified as Corpinnat or Trentodoc, this cooperation is not just symbolic. It is about connecting winegrowers, oenologists, restaurateurs and tourism providers - about creating a common story that places not just the region, but Slovenia on the sparkling wine map of Europe.
Last but not least, among all the signs of development it wasn’t really unexpected that the coolest region of southeast Europe with its potential for traditional method sparkling wine production already attracted investors.
Diakov’s Wine Family is a sparkling Slovenian newcomer getting ready to enter the global market. One more proper illustration of Dolenjska reaching the international level.
The unique shape of Žametna Črnina leaf - mini heart - becomes a symbol of passion for sparkling winemaking in Dolenjska
Together, these developments supported intensifying conversations across Slovenia regarding the need for unified standards, renewing legal definitions and requirements for Penina, clearer quality tiers and stronger storytelling on the international markets.
Penina has crossed the line. Penina is no longer a “Slovenian sparkling wine.” It is a category with its own identity.
Penina’s rise is a mosaic: history, terroir, grapes, producers, and standards forming a complete portrait. And as the final pieces fall into place, Slovenia’s sparkling wine is stepping into the global spotlight.
For wine professionals, importers, and sommeliers seeking the next emerging category, preferably with authenticity, freshness, and a storytelling potential - Slovenian Penina is a style that deserves a place on the radar, in portfolios, and ultimately on wine lists.
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