(Spectator) - WINE has been made in the region of present-day Slovakia since ancient times but the country’s 40-year totalitarian regime suppressed small, private winemakers in favour of mass production, bringing a poor reputation to this traditional skill. The fall of the communist regime and open borders has brought new vigour to Slovak wine producers as well as more curiosity from wine amateurs as well as connoisseurs. There are now plenty of small and larger winemakers opening their cellars to more and more people who are interested in learning about wines made in Slovakia. But winemakers say Slovakia still has a lot of catching up to do to match the better-known wine tourism destinations in Europe.