The best Bulgarian wines - overview

Wine-making in Bulgaria began to be practiced by the ancient Greeks. It is known that in these lands drinks ripened in the cellars at a constant temperature, optimal for fermentation. Further, the wine was poured into huge amphorae with a brand on which the year of harvest was indicated, the area of origin and the "label" of the producer. Even then, the Bulgarian wines enjoyed considerable demand in the ancient world and were actively exported to the metropolis - Greece. Since then, the art of vine cultivation and beverage production has not faded.

Ancient Rome, Byzantium, the Bulgarian kingdoms, the Ottoman Empire - not always the fate favored the husbandmen. Twice almost all the vines were ruthlessly cut down. The first time it happened under the legislator Han Krum in 681, the second - during the long (from 1396 to 1878) Turkish yoke. But every time the vines survived thanks to the Orthodox monks. In honor of them, some Bulgarian wines bear names associated with the Schemes. The most famous are "Monastery Hut", "Confession of the Black Man".

Bulgaria is home to several varieties of grapes. Now the whole world is flooded with classic, transcontinental, species, such as Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet, Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Riesling. However, local winemakers prefer to deal with their own, traditional vines. Basically Bulgarian wines are varietal, that is produced from berries of one kind. But sometimes there are also blended. In the bouquet are interwoven just European varieties - Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet, Uny Blanc, Traminer.

The best Bulgarian wines, contrary to our established ideas, are red. First you need to mention the Mavrud variety (especially it is beautiful in the south of the country). From this variety make a first-class dry, as well as dessert wine. Not inferior to him on the taste of Bulgar. It gives the wine a tartness and juicy scarlet color. It is impossible not to recall the grades of late maturation. Among them, especially Gumma (grown in the north of Bulgaria). This grapes also produces local champagne. Kadarka gives life to half-dry, and Pamid - to pink wines.

But this country is known not only for red beverages. White Bulgarian wines also deserve sincere praise. From Dimyata, cognac spirits are produced. Cherven Misket can be purchased cheaply, resting in the district of Varna and Burgas. It gives the wine a muscaty velvety taste and playfulness. Vratsa-Misket gives strong drinks with a rich aroma. In the field of white wines, local producers actively use European varieties - Chardonnay, Aligote. But the climate of Bulgaria with its hot summer is unfavorable for Riesling.

During the Soviet Union, this southern country was the main supplier of wine. Two echelons of fifty cisterns left Moscow daily. Then the export fell due to high duties. But even now quite good Bulgarian wines in Moscow can be bought from 250 rubles per bottle. First of all it's Mezzek, produced from Mavroud with the addition of Cabernet and Merlot. Also a good blend of Mavrud and Shiraz is presented in the wine of Villa Vinifera. In the Pamidovo brand juices of local grapes Aktis and Merlot have merged. Especially appreciated Mmgrud from Assenovgrad is a long-living wine. It can be aged for more than ten years.