Bulgarije
Bulgaria has a rich history and has been familiar with the tradition of viticulture for no less than three thousand years. It was the Thracians who brought viticulture to Bulgaria from the 9th century BC. It is evident from the numerous excavations that show that wine played an important role in the life of the Thracians. In those days, people even paid with coins depicting bunches of grapes. The Thracians planted vineyards en masse in Bulgaria, introduced new agricultural techniques and even developed special tools for working in the vineyard and vinification. Thrace, the region that would later become the nucleus of present-day Bulgaria, was the scene of the first festivals in honor of Dionysos (the Thracian Bacchus) and in honor of wine.
Bulgaria has a rich history and has been familiar with the tradition of viticulture for no less than three thousand years. It was the Thracians who brought viticulture to Bulgaria from the 9th century BC. It is evident from the numerous excavations that show that wine played an important role in the life of the Thracians. In those days, people even paid with coins depicting bunches of grapes. The Thracians planted vineyards en masse in Bulgaria, introduced new agricultural techniques and even developed special tools for working in the vineyard and vinification. Thrace, the region that would later become the nucleus of present-day Bulgaria, was the scene of the first festivals in honor of Dionysos (the Thracian Bacchus) and in honor of wine.
Today, Bulgaria is gaining more and more international recognition for its quality wines. This country, also nicknamed "sleeping beauty", has all the characteristics to become a major player in the global wine market and has now surpassed all Eastern European wine countries with its superior wines. Wine production takes place in a sustainable and innovative way, which guarantees the quality of the grapes and the wine. As a result, Bulgaria is increasingly put on the map as a wine-producing country and the country is receiving more and more international appreciation and awards for the wines that have been produced there since time immemorial.
Modern Bulgarian winemakingOf course, a good wine requires a good grape. That is why Bulgaria implemented a national programme for viticulture in 2005. The main goals are: to establish new vineyards, to establish small-scale local wineries, to develop innovative methods of viticulture, and to stimulate competition with international players in the wine market.
Today, Bulgaria has more than 140,000 hectares of vineyards, making it the world's 15th largest producer of bottled wines after France. All vineyards are planted and managed according to international standards. With an average yield of 30 hl/ha, the yields are low, which greatly improves the quality.
During the last 15-20 years, there has been a lot of investment in the Bulgarian wine industry, which has become the most competitive sector of the Bulgarian food industry. More and more vineyards are being planted, new grape varieties are being developed and, of course, the most modern techniques of vinification are being applied. It's no secret that Bulgaria boasts some of the most talented vinologists in the world, as evidenced by the fact that many Bulgarian winecellar leading foreign companies hire Bulgarian vinologists. In recent years, there has also been a great deal of interest from international wine experts who are keen to invest in Bulgarian wine; The same wine that has won prestigious awards at international wine fairs.
The vineyards are now spread all over the country, but mainly in river plains and coastal plains. Well protected by the mountains. The newly planted vineyards make up a large share. In the valleys of the rivers Maritsa and Danube, the grapes are grown in the most ideal conditions: the grapes benefit from both the fertile soil and the excellent climate conditions. In it, the Bulgarian winegrowers apply the traditional classical techniques alongside modern production technologies according to the wisdom of wine experts from industry leaders such as France.
Modern Bulgaria is gradually finding its identity as a modern wine-producing nation by discovering new grape varieties and styles. The efforts are aimed at continuing a certain "Bulgarian" wine style with the reliable and well-selling names such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat, while at the same time opting more and more for the typical indigenous grape varieties such as the blue Mavrud, Rubin, Melnik, Gamza, Pamid, Ruen and the white Misket, Dimyat, Kerazuda.
Bulgaria is geographically divided into five wine-producing areas.
- Northern area – the Danubian Plain region
This area has around 30% of the country's vineyards and includes three sub-regions (eastern, central, western)
- Eastern Region – Black Sea Region
This area has around 30% of the vineyards and includes three sub-regions (northern sea coast, inland, southern sea coast)
- Sub-Balkan region – The Rose Valley region
It is located at the southern foot of the Balkans and has two sub-regions: western and eastern. It includes the Sungurlare valley where mainly "Red Misket" is grown, intended for the production of dry and semi-dry wines. The western sub-region spreads across the Valley of the Roses.
- Southern Territory – Thracian Lowlands
The most important wine region of Bulgaria. This region comprises around 35% of the vineyard massifs and is characterized by a continental climate and a good distribution of precipitation during the vegetation period.
- Southwestern area – Strimon River Valley (Struma River Valley)
This Bulgarian wine region encompasses the southwestern parts of the country. It is not large, but it has a number of specific climatic characteristics that are very similar to the Mediterranean areas. Along the valley of the river Struma, the unique Bulgarian broadleaf grape variety of Melnik (Shiroka Melnishka Loza – Broad Leaved Melnik Vine; and Ranna Melnishka Loza – Early Melnik Vine) is grown, which is used for the production of dry and semi-dry wines. The varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pamid are also grown in that region. The local wines are distinguished by a full-bodied taste with spicy southern