BULGARIAN WINE multimedia

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Operative Program “Regional Development 2007-2013 www.bgregio.eu We invest in your future! The project is financed by the European Regional Development Fund and the state budget of Republic of Bulgaria Grant Scheme BG161PO001/3.3-01/2008 “Support for Effective National Marketing of Tourist Product and Improvement of Information Service”, Contract No BG161PO001/3.3-01/2008 /001-5 “Multimedia Catalogue of the Tourist Sites and Electronic Marketing of Destination Bulgaria” This multimedia brochure is created within the framework of the project “Multimedia Catalogue of the Tourist Sites and Electronic Marketing of Destination Bulgaria”, Contract No BG161PO001/3.3-01/2008/001-5, which is performed with the financial support of Operative Program “Regional Development” 2007 – 2013, co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund. The entire responsibility for the contents of this multimedia brochure is brought by the beneficiary – The Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism, and under no circumstances it can be considered that this multimedia brochure presents the official position of the European Union and the Managing Body.

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BULGARIAN WINE

bulgarian wine Bulgarian wine has undeniable taste qualities. It is worldwide famous and it has won many international awards. Merit for the great taste of the Bulgarian wines is the specific climatic and geographic characteristics, and the ancient tradition in the area of viticulture and winemaking. Ever since the ancient Thracians, who inhabited these lands, wine has been respected. They used it not only as a drink on the table, but also for many of their religious rituals. They believed that with wine they could reach their gods. The ancient Greek god Dionysus and his Thracian analogue Zagreus were worshipped by the Thracians as gods of wine and merriment. Evidence for the ancient Thracian traditions in wine production and consumption are the magnificent Thracian treasures, which are mostly wine sets. 3

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Even Homer often mentioned the superior qualities of the Thracian wines in his works. After the establishment of the Bulgarian state in the 7th century, the traditions in winemaking were inherited and continued. Many medieval travelers, who travelled across our lands, mention the properties of the various wines they have tasted on their way. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century the viticulture and wine making were already approached professionally and the foundations of the modern Bulgarian wine production were laid. Nowadays high quality wines from Bulgarian producers can be found all over the world. The taste for good wine and the interest in the local varieties triggered the entry of wine tourism, wine tours and tastings in Bulgaria. Many of the wineries in the country organize events where experts and guests get acquainted with their best products. 4

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BULGARIAN WINE In the region of Pleven, in

of tasting, as well as taste

Kayluka park, stands the

various wines. The museum

unique museum of wine in

stores about 7,000 exhibits -

the country. It is the place

old wines and containers for

where visitors can learn much

wine storage and production.

about the history of wine

The oldest wine in the museum

in our lands, the intricacies

is almost 100 years old.

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Gamza is a local red wine variety, which is widespread in northwest Bulgaria. This variety ripens late, and produces red dessert and table wines with bright raspberry transparent color and fruity aroma of raspberry domination. The taste is fresh, with light structure. Gamza wines are usually consumed first growth. The local grape varieties, which are used for the production of the best wines - Gamza, Broad-leaved Melnik Vine, Dimyat, Mavrud, Red Muscat, Rubin and Pamid – are of great interest for the visitors of the museum. 10

BULGARIAN WINE Best quality Gamza wine can be tasted in northern Bulgaria, in cellars of the towns of Vidin and Pleven. The broad-leaved Melnik vine is a local red variety which only grows in the regions of Melnik, Petrich and Sandanski. The color of this wine is medium deep. Wines of this variety are excellent, with ripe cherry and herbs

but it remains spicy at the

aroma, and in the presence of

end.

oak it develops tobacco and

Wine, made of Broad-leaved

leather nuances. The taste

Melnik vine with unique taste

of new wine is crisp, with

can be tasted at the wineries

pronounced tannins. With the

in the regions of Sandanski

maturing, the taste softens,

and Melnik. 11

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Dimyat is a typical Bulgarian

It grows best in the region of

white variety, which is used

Varna, but is also grown in

to make aromatic dry white

other parts of the country.

wines and brandies. It develops

You can taste Dimyat in the

a fruity aroma with accents

wineries in the area from

of ripe peach. The taste is

Evksinograd to Varna,

mild, with pleasant freshness.

Shumen and Stara Zagora.

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Mavrud is a very old local variety, grown near Asenovgrad, Pazardzhik, Plovdiv and the Rhodope Mountains foothills. The wine, made from it, has a saturated crimson ruby color with excellent taste and pronounced density. The flavor is juicy with a dominance of ripe berries and spices. 13

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Several wineries in the region

with quince and honey.

of Asenovgrad, Plovdiv,

You can taste red Muscat wine

Pazardzhik and Plovdiv offer

in the wineries in the region of

tastings of Mavrud wine with

Straldzha and Sungurlare.

superb quality. Rubin is a local variety created Red Muscat is an old

by the fertilization of two

Bulgarian variety, widespread

varieties - Nebiolo and Sora.

in the sub-Balkan region. This

These wines are deep in color

wine variety has an interesting

and their taste is thick, with

color with pink shades. The

a soft finish. Their aroma

aroma has herbal nuances

is intense, fruity, with ripe blackberry domination, and in contact with oak it develops jam nuances. You can taste Rubin wine in the wineries in the regions of Plovdiv and Septemvri.

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BULGARIAN WINE

Pamid is one of the oldest

nuances, an elegant body and

varieties, growing in our lands.

a soft finish. Pamid wines are

The wine has a light red color.

usually consumed new due to

Its flavor is fresh, with fruity

their low content of phenolic substances; their taste does not develop well after contact with oak. You can taste Pamid in the cellars in the region of Pazardzhik, Plovdiv and Pamidovo. 15

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Operative Program “Regional Development 2007-2013 www.bgregio.eu We invest in your future! The project is financed by the European Regional Development Fund and the state budget of Republic of Bulgaria Grant Scheme BG161PO001/3.3-01/2008 “Support for Effective National Marketing of Tourist Product and Improvement of Information Service”, Contract No BG161PO001/3.3-01/2008 /001-5 “Multimedia Catalogue of the Tourist Sites and Electronic Marketing of Destination Bulgaria” This multimedia brochure is created within the framework of the project “Multimedia Catalogue of the Tourist Sites and Electronic Marketing of Destination Bulgaria”, Contract No BG161PO001/3.3-01/2008/001-5, which is performed with the financial support of Operative Program “Regional Development” 2007 – 2013, co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund. The entire responsibility for the contents of this multimedia brochure is brought by the beneficiary – The Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism, and under no circumstances it can be considered that this multimedia brochure presents the official position of the European Union and the Managing Body.