In the beginning was the word....The beginning for Penina was 173 years ago, when it was given its Slovenian name - Penina. Well, it was used in media for the first time and at that moment it already included all the features to describe the concept and the characteristics of the particular wine style. The word Penina came into use not only by the producers themselves, but also through local media, confirming therefore that the concept of Penina was already formed at that time and it got its name. The word "Penina" and the unique style of sparkling wine were born and fixed by media. Interesting detail, that initially, the name Penina referred exclusively to sparkling wines produced by the traditional method. Later, it began to be used more broadly for all sparkling wines, regardless of production method.
Today, there is a growing movement among quality oriented producers to return the name to its original meaning - to reserve “Penina” only for high quality wines made using the traditional method.
So what were those words at the very beginning? The earliest detailed mention of sparkling wine in Slovenia appears on December 10, 1853, in "Novice" newspaper by Dr. Janez Bleiweis, a key cultural and political figure of that time:
The first mention of Penina in "Novice" by Dr. Janez Bleiweis
“Champagne or sparkling wine - Penina - is most beloved and cherished by today’s gentlemen.
There is no true celebration or ceremony where the Penina does not flow. Penina, as is known, is not naturally or ordinarily fermented wine, but is artificially prepared. This art was discovered by the French Champagne producers, who for many years were the sole keepers of this secret, which brought them considerable wealth. Even in our empire, some have already attempted to make sparkling wine; I can freely say that no one has yet succeeded as excellently as our faithful Radgona native Alojz Kleinošek
Mr. Kleinošek began this noble endeavor in the proper manner. He traveled to Champagne, where, for a high price, he spent half a year assisting and working in the cellar of an excellent winemaker, diligently studying until he mastered the craft. Upon his return, he began producing sparkling wine from Slovenian grapes in the Gornja Radgona region in 1850. By the end of 1852, his sparkling wine was already on the market. It was so well received that within a few months, 12,000 bottles had been sold.”
(Source: Dr. Janez Bleiweis, News of Agricultural, Industrial, and National Affairs, December 10, 1853)
Dr. Janez Bleiweis ( 1808 – 1881) a Slovene politician, journalist, physician and public figure.
Today the tradition of producing sparkling wine using the Champagne method in Slovenia is more than 170 years old.
From Gornja Radgona, near the Austrian border, this tradition spread across the country. Today, all wine regions produce their own styles of Penina, reflecting diverse terroirs and grape varieties.
