Burčák on sale from Friday due to early harvest: How much will you pay this year?

Winemaker Miloslav Machuča from Úvaly u Valtic in the Břeclav region started harvesting the season's first grapes Monday and expects to begin selling burčák on Aug. 1, the earliest date this partially fermented grape drink can be offered.

"There are a lot of grapes, not only ours but all the vineyards around Úval avoided the frost, and nothing froze,” Machuča told the Czech News Agency (ČTK).

Machuča, who specializes only in burčák, is growing five varieties on five hectares this year. While he struggled with mold earlier in the summer due to frequent rains, the recent dry and sunny weather has allowed the grapes to ripen well.

“We’ll see how it ferments, but there will be burčák by Friday at the latest,” Machuča said, adding that he does not plan to increase the price, which will remain at CZK 80 per liter.

The Chateau Valtice - Vinné sklepy Valtice winery is also expected to start harvesting grapes on Tuesday and begin selling burčák, according to David Šťastný.

“Even here, the harvest looks very promising, but until the grapes are harvested, a lot can happen,” Šťastný cautioned, noting that rainy weather or hail could still damage the crop. Chateau Valtice will sell the first burčák for CZK 90 per liter, with the price typically dropping to CZK 80 in the following weeks.

Only a drink made from Czech grapes may be labeled burčák on the Czech market. If it is produced from foreign sources, it must be labeled “partially fermented grape must.” The State Agricultural and Food Inspection supervises compliance with the rules for the sale of this drink annually.