Page 71 - UNESCO_Zatec_2021_A4

the lowest in the Czech Republic. However, the
average annual relative humidity is higher than in
South Moravia in some areas of the Elbe (less than
75 %). North to northwest winds predominate.

In terms of individual biogeographical division, the
area belongs to the phytogeographical province of
Central European deciduous forests, the Hercynian
subprovince. The site includes these bioregions 1.1
Mostecký and 1.2 Řipský. The phytogeographical
division falls within the district of Czech termofytikum.

Distribution of Saaz hops to other
growing areas
In the case of fine aroma varieties, the so-called
"red bines," the genetic group of Žatec red bine hop
is considered to be the oldest and originated from
Staročeský, Starožatecký, and Staroúštěcký red bine
hops. Many bred varieties of the red bine category in
almost the whole of Europe come from the original
regional varieties of Saaz hops. In Germany, for
example, the Tettnanger, Spalter, and Hersbrucker
varieties. A large number of varieties from the genetic
group of Saaz hops originated in the then USSR by
importing them into Ukraine. This created the Žitomir
variety, then the Rogatýnský semi-early red bine
variety, Ivanovický, and the like. In Poland, Opolski
hops were created from Saaz hops, followed by the 71
Lubelsky and Nadwislansky varieties. As part of
a competitive business strategy, these varieties are
often classified abroad in the category of Saaz hops,
which form a group of fine aroma hops.

The uniqueness of Saaz hops is evidenced by
academic records of average hop prices from the
end of the nineteenth century. The cost of Saaz hops
was at the top of the statistics (up to three hundred
marks per quintal of hops), much higher than of
hops from Spalt, Wolnzach, Hersbrucker, Tettnang
(Württemberg), Baden or Alsace. Quoting from
contemporary literature (Leopold M. Zeithammer
1890): "Again, this is new evidence that Old Bohemian
(Staročeský) early red bine hops reached the largest
and unsurpassed prices".

None of the varieties whose subsequent breeding (by
selection or interspecific hybridization) was based
on the imported original regional hops from Žatec
can logically achieve the same quality of brewing
valuable substances because the influences of the
given area will always differ. Attempts to grow Saaz
hop varieties outside the original territory are known
not only in Europe, as described above, but also in
Asia, the USA, Australia as well as other areas.
A healthy hop shoot of the Saaz variety, Stekník, 2019