True or False:
In the late 1970s and early 1980s Bulgaria was the 4th largest exporter of wine.
True
Name a prominent Bulgarian wine producer.
Boyar Estates
- labeled “Blue Ridge”
- follows the New World Model such as varietal Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon
Name 2 boutique wine projects of Bulgaria
- Santa Sarah
- Enira
When was Bulgarian wine law first established?
1978
-recent updates have brought the quality categoriesin line with the French model and EU regulations
Name the 2 categories of Bulgarian Quality Wines produced in a specific region.
- DGO (Declared Geographic Origin/ Vino ot Deklarrian Geografski
- Controliran Wines
What is Controliran?
- a superior controlled appellation within a DGO and each Controlian wine must be produced from the appellations permitted grape varietals
- maximum yields and RS content is defined for each Controliran
How many Controliran and DGO zones are there in total?
52
Name the 5 large regions of Bulgarian wine production.
- Danubian Plain (North)
- Thracian Lowlands (South)
- Black Sea Region (East)
- Struma River Valley (West)
- Rose Valley (Center)
What are the only 2 regions of Bulgaria that are recognized by the EU as geographical indications for wine production?
- Danubian Plain
- Thracian Lowlands
Name 2 Controliran appellations of the Danubian Plain.
- Suhindol
- Svichtov
Name a Controliran of the Rose Valley.
Sungurlare
Name a Controliran of the Struma River Valley.
Harsovo
Name a Controliran of the Black Sea Region.
Khan Krum
What does “barik” indicate on a quality wine label?
“Barik” indicates that the fermentation occurred in oak casks of 500L or less in volume
What does “Reserve” indicate on a DGO label?
1 year of aging
What does “Special Selection” indicate on a DGO wine label?
2 years of aging
What 2 grapes lead international plantings in Bulgaria?
- Cabernet Sauvigonn
- Merlot
Name 5 red native grapes of Bulgaria.
- Gamza (Kadarka)
- Mavrud
- Melnik
- Pamid
- Rubin
What native Bulgarian grape is cultivated exclusively in the Struma River Valley?
Melnik
- particularly in the DGO of the same name
- tannic in structure
What is one of the first red varietals to be harvested in Bulgaria?
Pamid
- thin skinned
- produces fresh wines for youthful consumption
What is Rubin a crossing of?
Nebbiolo x Syrah
-showing great potential
What is Red Misket (Misket Cherven)?
- an aromatic specialty of sungurlare in the Rose Valley
- of no relation to Muscat
What are the 2 most planted white varietals of Bulgaria?
- Rkatsiteli
- Dimiat
