Bulgaria Flashcards
All quality wines may be labeled “barik” if?
if the fermentation occurred in oak casks of 500L or less in volume
Bulgarias 5 regions of wine production?
Struma River Valley - Western
Valley of the Roses - centre
Thracian Lowlands -Southern GI recognised by EU
Danubian Plain -Northern GI recognised by EU
Cherno More ( Black Sea) -Eastern
What are the note worthy appellation within these regions? Struma River Valley Valley of the Roses Thracian Lowlands Danuian Plain Cherno More
Suhindol and Svichtov in the Danubian Plain
Sungurlare in the Rose Valley
Harsovo in the Struma River Valley
Khan Krum in the Black Sea Region
Danuian Plain is known for what wines?
The reds are made from the local Gamza as well as from the noble Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot varieties. Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc are the most prominent whites. This region is home to the fine wineries of Suhindol and Rousse.
Cherno More(Black Sea)
The wines from the Eastern region are made mostly from white grapes.
Thracian Lowlands
Mediterranean climatic conditions particularly good for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot production. The best Bulgarian variety grape-Mavrud grows in the Thracian plain. Red wines coming from this region are superb. Jambol and Haskovo are fine appellations.
Struma River Valley
Fine Cabernets are produced there. The appellation of Melnik is home to the Melnik variety. An aromatic and hefty wine that ages very well. Damianitza is the winery to note.
Explain grape varieties used in Bulgaria?
The best wines are produced from the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties, high quality, rich, and Bordeaux-like. Local grapes include:
– Gamza – the most widespread sort produces earthy, light bodied red wine good for simple fare. In Romania and Hugary it is known as Kadarka.
– Mavrud – is a full bodied, spicy red that can age to more than 8 years
– Melnik – grown in the southernmost part of the country makes hefty red wines that age very well
– Pamid – rustic and hardly unforgettable but still good enough „commercial“ for weekly drinking.
White wines are produced from renowned varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling as well as from the local: Misket, Ottonel, and Dimiat. Whites are not nearly as good as reds but they are rapidly improving and recently some very nice surprises from Rouse winery have appeared.
Bulgarian wine classification?
Declared Geographical Origin (DGO) – this categorizes the area of origin of the bottle of wine which can come from one of the 43 geographical regions. The term ‘Declared Geographical Origin’ (DGO) is not printed on the label. An example of this category being displayed would be in the following format e.g. ‘Russe Welshriesling’ (Russe being the town of production in the north of the country)
Controliran – this wine is a grade higher than the DGO status and can be compared as the equivalent of the French ‘AC’ category. There are 27 Controliran wines.This wine must come from a specified grape variety grown from selected vineyards. The label is required to display the variety and region. The wine must also be approved by a tasting panel before this status can be awarded. The word ‘Controliran’ will be visible on the label. Although ‘Controliran’ is a step above ‘DGO’ and will come from a different vineyard, the labels may share the same geographical location. This has led to situations of confusion. An example of this is in the wine ‘Assenovgrad Mavrud Controliran’ and ‘Assenovgrad Mavrud’. The latter example belongs to the ‘DGO’ category.Other terms that apply to Bulgarian wines are
Reserve – both ‘DGO’ and ‘Controliran’ can be classified as ‘Reserve’ wine provided that they have been aged for a minimum period in oak (at least two years for whites and three years for reds). The oak vats which are old and large in size tend to mellow the wine more than creating a wood flavour.
Country Wine – these wines are made from a blend of more than one grape and are designed to be consumed whilst young and fresh. A typical example of this type of wine is Pinot Noir or Sliven Merlot. These wines would compare with the French ‘Vins de Pays’ category.
What is Rubin?
A crossing of Nebbiolo and Syrah
most planted white varietals in Bulgaria?
Rkatsiteli and Dimiat
How to remember the Bulgarian regions
The Danubian plane flies over the Black Sea and down to the Thracian Lowlands and passes by the Struma River and lands in the Valley of the Roses.
