Burčák is slightly fermented grape juice, usually sold at about 4 to 7 % alcohol but can reach 10% or more if not consumed in a few days.  It is known as Federweisser or young wine in Germany and other names through out the world.

It is said to be more popular in the Czech Republic than other countries and you certainly see it everywhere here between late August and early November.  There are many folk stories about its effects from exploding bottles to thoroughly purged intestines. It does contain large amounts of vitamins B1 and B2.

Since we are red wine drinkers in past years we enjoyed a glass or two of red burcak but this year at the festival I saw one made from Müller-Thurgau.  It was so good that I bought a litre bottle that has to be drunk within three days or who knows what will happen.

Below is a short video of the autumn season wine festival held at our local square. When we dropped by after 8 PM. I was very impressed by the great quantities of burcak and wine that were being consumed by the crowd.  The booth I bought mine from earlier was sold out.  All these people had no worries about what to do with leftover wine.