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History
Located in the Balkan Peninsula. The country borders with Romania to the north,
Yugoslavia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, and the Black Sea to the east.
What most people do not know is that Bulgaria has been producing wines for
over 3,000 years. Originally know as Thrace, its wines were mentioned
in Homer's Iliad. Ancient Thracians are believed to have held festivals and rites
in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine and grapes.
Today, the region produces well know white wine grapes such as Rieslings, Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs,
and Muskats, and red wine grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlots and Pinot Noirs.
Lesser know local wine varieties include Dimiat, Mavrud, Misket, Gamza, and Melnik.
Since 1990 Bulgarian wine industry has been de-monopolized
from the State Corporation with the separate wineries now
independent state companies controlling their own production and marketing.
Wine Classifications
- Undeclared origin with declared variety or registered brand name.
- Regional or Country Wines with up to two varietal names mentioned on the label.
- Declared Geographical Origin (DGO Wines) made from selected grapes with origin
declared by the producer. Most wines produced fall into this category.
- Controlled Appellations of Origin (AOC Wines) made from grapes
originating in defined and controlled regional vineyards, limiting yield and sugar
content.
- Reserved or Oak Aged wines may also be DGO or AOC Wines.
Wine Regions
- Eastern Region containing the Thrace Plain Sub-Region - Producing mainly white and sparkling wines, particularly at Varna and Preslav
- Northern Region containing the Danube Plain Sub-Region - Producing primarily red wines but also white and sparkling wines,
particularly at Suhindol, Russe, and Ljaskovetz.
- Sub-Balkan - Producing locally known white wines, particularly at Slavjantzi.
- Southern - Producing a mix of locally know red and white wines, particularly at
Jambol, Assenovgrad, and Stambolovo.
- South-Western - Producing locally known red and white wines.
Danube Plain Region
- Lyaskovets - is located in the Danube Plain region of Bulgaria.
Lyaskovets is the oldest winery in Bulgaria. It was the only winery
allowed to stay open during the Turkish occupation. They specialize in
excellant red wines.
- Ruse - is located on the Danube River in the Danube Plain region of
Bulgaria. Ruse is the largest and the most modern of Bulgarias wineries.
They are making a name for themselves in Red wines.
- Suhindol - is located in the Danube Plain region of Bulgaria,
making very good red wines.
Thrace Plain Region
- Preslav - is located in the Thrace Plain region of Bulgaria and is near
the Targovishte winery. Great Preslav was the capital
of Bulgaria in 491 BC and had made wine to survive. Preslav is making a
name for themselves in White wines. Their 1995 Chardonnay Blanc took 2nd
place in the 1997 International wine tasting held in Paris.
- Hoskovo - is located in the Thrace Plain region of Bulgaria and is
known for excellant Cabernets and Merlots, particularly those from their Sakar
and Stambolovo regions.
- Targovishte - is located in the Thrace Plain region of Bulgaria.
Targovishte is making a name for itself in white wines.
Black Sea Region
- Pomorie - is located in the Black Sea region of Bulgaria, making very
good white wines, as well as notable reds.
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