Enology Laboratory

The Enology Laboratory is an integral part of the Central Laboratory of the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia and is the leading laboratory in the field of enology in Slovenia. The laboratory conducts two primary activities: the analysis of wine and spirits for external clients (issuing marketing authorizations for wine, compliance reports for spirits, and individual analyses) and research work within European and domestic research projects and professional tasks.

The Enology Laboratory performs a wide range of enological analyses using state-of-the-art equipment.

Areas of work

Standard Physical and Chemical Analyses of Wine and Spirits

• Issuing marketing authorizations for wine, which include physical and chemical analyses: density, actual alcohol content, total dry extract, reducing sugars, total acidity, volatile acidity, total and free sulfur dioxide, lactic acid, citric acid …
• Issuing compliance reports for the sale of spirits (without geographical indication/reference), which include physical and chemical analyses (density, actual alcohol content, total dry extract, acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, methanol, and higher alcohols)

Sensory Evaluation of Wine

• A prerequisite for obtaining a marketing authorization for wine
• A qualified staff of experienced tasters (20-point evaluation system)
• Sensory evaluations are conducted once a week
• Training of observer-trainees and organization of professional and consumer sensory evaluations

Documentation for Marketing and Labeling

• Issuing marketing authorizations for wine
• Preparation of export documentation for wine sales
• Consultancy on the correct labeling of wine in the market
• Creation of QR codes for labeling nutritional value and the list of ingredients
• Issuing compliance reports for spirits without geographical indication/reference

Research Work

Project work within research and professional tasks is carried out by qualified researchers of the Central Laboratory in cooperation with domestic and foreign research institutions, wine producers, and manufacturers of enological agents and equipment. Research work in the Enology Laboratory is conducted in close cooperation with the Department of Fruit Growing, Viticulture, and Enology.

Authorizations and Accreditation

The Enology Laboratory is appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food as an authorized organization for the evaluation of must, wine, and other products derived from grapes and wine (Official Gazette of the RS 192/2000). We are authorized to issue marketing authorizations for wine in Slovenia, monitor wine imports, and issue documents for export. As part of the Central Laboratory, it is accredited by Slovenian Accreditation according to the SIST EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard (Accreditation No. LP-020) in the field of testing. As a constituent part of the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, it also maintains a quality management system meeting ISO 9001:2015 requirements.

Contact Information