Bulgaria – leading wine destination

published on 2/14/17 1:51 PM]

БНР Новини

Photo: bulgarianwine.net

Following an old tradition, today the people celebrates St. Tryphon’s Day – a folklore fest, marking the start of the spring season, when the vines are pruned. The day of the winemaker has its ancient pagan roots and dates back to Thracian times. Thus on St. Tryphon’s Day we have nothing else to do, but talk about wine.

Bulgaria has been recently included in the Top 10 list of best tourist destinations around the world of the US Wine Enthusiast prestigious rankings. The country is ranked second after wine destinations such as France, Italy and Spain due to the assessment of wine expert journalists Jeff Jehnson and Mike de Simone. Following the invitation of the National Vinery and Winemaking Chamber two years ago the duo had the chance to visit our vineyards and cellars, getting also acquainted with the historical and cultural heritage of this country. At the same time both journalists participated in the jury of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, held for a first time in Plovdiv last year. The Americans say their high appraisal is due to the winemaking complexes, not only supplied with high-tech facilities, but also offering excellent tasting opportunities.

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There are 204 winemaking companies in Bulgaria. What are the features of the branch in the country’s northwestern part? Is it possible wines of good quality to be produced there, suitable for the global market? Oenologist Adriana Srebrinova gives us the answer:

‘Whenever we talk on wine, this perfect product, we should seize a vast subject. This geographical diversity that we have in North-West Bulgaria provides a variety of soils, dated to 240 mln. years back in time around the Belogradchik Rocks for instance – they have an incredible amount of minerals and useful ingredients. Those result in the special features of grapes and respectively – of wine. The lack of industry is bad for the region, but at the same time it is a big plus for those, involved in planting, as the soil and air there are clean. Thus the balance of the grapes grown is perfect. We don’t claim that wines of the region are the best ones, but they are unique and distinguished, tasty, juicy and playful. This is all thanks to nature.’

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Data from 2016 showed that some 160 mln. liters of wine were produced in the state. It has a huge variety of foreign sorts of wine grapes, but it also has its own which are good too.

‘Science has provided winemakers with several hybrid sorts, especially red ones. Those are Rubin, Danube Gamza, Bouquet – incredible Bulgarian strikes, situated across the northwestern region where they feel comfortable and the wines produced are marvelous. Of course, having international tastes is not a bad thing, but the idea to work on Bulgarian sorts, to show their genetic qualities and to convince the world that they might line up with dignity next to the French noble sorts, developed for over 400 years – this is what intrigues us, making us stay and work in this region.’

English version: Zhivko Stanchev
Photos: bulgariatravel.org; bulgariawinetours.com

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Bulgaria – leading wine destination

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