The symbol of the beginning of autumn is the grape harvest festivals known as vinobranie. The main feature of these celebrations is burčiak — a tasty, light and refreshing drink made from grape must.
Burčiak (burčiak) is often called “new wine.” In fact, it is an alcoholic drink made from grape must that has already begun to ferment but has not yet turned into wine. Burčiak has a mildly sweet taste and a thick consistency. Its alcohol content ranges from 4% to 6%.
In Slovakia, the sale of “new wine” is strictly regulated by law. The term “burčiak” may only be used for fermented grape must made exclusively from grapes grown and processed in Slovakia.
The drink may be sold only between 15 August and 31 December. Moreover, burčiak must be made from grapes harvested in the same calendar year.
What Makes Burčiak Beneficial
Burčiak is a source of many minerals and trace elements — it contains zinc, iron and large amounts of B vitamins. In particular, it contains thiamine (vitamin B1) and riboflavin (vitamin B2), which have a positive effect on heart function and the transmission of nerve impulses, and are beneficial for the skin, hair and nails.
In neighbouring Czechia, there is a popular belief that, to maintain good health, a person should drink as much burčiak each year as the amount of blood in their body — around 4–6 litres.
However, there are limits to how much burčiak should be consumed, as it contains alcohol. Excessive consumption can cause digestive problems or headaches, particularly in sensitive people. It is therefore advisable to drink it in moderation.
How to Choose Good Burčiak
- Colour: If you are buying burčiak made from white grapes, it should be milky or light yellow in colour. If the liquid is slightly cloudy, there is nothing wrong with it — this is caused by the yeast contained in the drink.
- Consistency: Genuine burčiak should be thick and dense. If the drink is too clear and watery, it may have been diluted with water.
- Sediment: Another characteristic feature of genuine burčiak is a small amount of sediment at the bottom of the glass. There is nothing unusual or alarming about this — it is the result of the same yeast activity or grape pulp.
- Bubbles and foam: These are two things worth paying attention to. When you pour burčiak into a glass, foam should form. Fizzing and bubbles are signs of quality, indicating that fermentation is taking place.
- Aroma: If you can smell grape juice in the drink, everything is likely fine. If the glass of burčiak has unusual odours, such as mould or rotting, this is a sign of a poor-quality product.
A dark colour and an excessive amount of sediment are also signs of low-quality burčiak. This may mean that poor-quality grapes were used or that apples were added to the must.
Burčiak is traditionally recommended to be drunk warm, although it is better to keep it in a cool place — this will slow down the fermentation process and allow the drink to be preserved for longer.
How to Store Burčiak
Storing burčiak is a science in itself. The fermentation process is highly active. This is why burčiak is stored and sold in plastic containers with loosely closed lids. Otherwise, they may explode due to excess carbon dioxide produced during fermentation.
Winemakers recommend keeping the bottle of burčiak slightly open so that carbon dioxide can escape and the burčiak can “breathe.”
Gradually, the drink loses its “sweetness” as fermentation continues and becomes stronger because the sugar is converted into alcohol. Therefore, after buying burčiak, it is best to drink it within three days; otherwise, it will gradually lose its flavour and other desirable qualities.
