Professional winemakers, students, and oenologists can rejoice. The National Wine Centre has released the second, updated and expanded edition of the book Winemaking Technology by Prof. Josef Balík from the Faculty of Horticulture at Mendel University in Lednice and the experienced oenologist Jan Stávek. The first edition, published in 2018, received the prestigious international award Le Prix de l’OIV.
The ceremonial launch of the new publication took place on Wednesday, 26 November, in Valtice. The authors present a fundamentally revised work that aspires to become an indispensable guide for wineries of all sizes as well as a textbook for future generations of winemakers and wine enthusiasts seeking a deeper understanding of modern wine production.
The book offers the latest knowledge on grape vinification, with a strong emphasis on practical application in winery operations. The chapters follow individual production processes—from grape harvest and processing, through alcoholic fermentation and malolactic fermentation, to wine maturation. New attention is given to current trends such as biodynamic production, the concept of terroir wines, and the use of grape by-products. Readers will also find information on common and less frequent wine faults and methods for determining selected wine components.
“The second edition is like wine after ageing—more balanced, fuller, with subtle notes of new insights,” said one of the book’s patrons, Martin Půček, Executive Director of the Winegrowers Association of the Czech Republic. He wished the book to inspire future generations of oenologists and to remind them that technology must never forget tradition.
An exceptional value of the book lies in its connection of academic theory with practical experience. The publication now includes 26 contributions by 18 leading experts, making it a living encyclopedia of contemporary Czech and Moravian winemaking. The book is printed on high-quality coated paper, bound in hardcover, and complemented by a practical index, illustrations, tables, and graphs that facilitate orientation and study.
The publication was released with the support of the Czech Wine Fund and is available to professionals as well as students who wish to learn about modern approaches to wine production while respecting its traditions.