Bulgaria Wine Country

One of the oldest wine-growing regions in the world

Bulgaria is one of the countries with the oldest viticultural tradition in Europe. The origins go back to ancient Thrace, which includes parts of Greece and Bulgaria as well as the European part of Turkey. Archaeological finds and traditional texts indicate that it started 5,000 years ago.

The country now has a cultivated area of ​​60,000 hectares. PDO stands for quality wine according to the EU wine market regulation, PGI for local wine, and Vino bulg. for the simpler table wine. Within the quality wine, there is as well a Premium seal that indicates that the wine is being made from a single variety of the region. In addition to other subdivisions, there are also the barrique wines that have to be aged in oak barrels.

Check out the list of the best wineries in Bulgaria

Climate in Bulgarian wine regions

The climate and soil conditions offer excellent conditions for viticulture. The country lies in the center of the Balkan Peninsula on the same latitudes as Tuscany and Bordeaux between the temperate continental and the Mediterranean climate belt. The various mountain formations such as Pirin, Rhodope Mountains, and above all the Balkan mountain range running east-west across the country protect the country from Aegean and Adriatic climatic influences. The damp Atlantic influences have the greatest climate-determining role.

Five Bulgarian Wine Regions

There are five regions in Bulgaria wine country, which are divided into smaller sub-regions:

Dunavska Ravnina - Danubian Plain

The gently undulating landscape between the Danube and the Balkan Mountains is crossed by many rivers and offers the vines ideal growth conditions. The region is known as Danubian Plain and is famous for its red, dessert and sparkling wines, with the main red wines being Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Evmolpia, Gamay, Gamza (90% of the area of ​​this variety), Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. Important white wine varieties are Aligoté, Chardonnay, Dymiat, Misket Vrachanski, Muskat-Ottonel, Riesling, Rkatsiteli, Sauvignon Blanc, and Tamianka (Muscat Blanc). Known growing areas are Biala, Dve Mogili, Ljaskovetz, Lom, Magura, Nikopol, Novo Selo, Orjahovo, Pavlikeni, Pleven, Rousse, Suhindol, Svischemov and Vidin.

Chernomorski Rayon - Black Sea region

The Black Sea Coast wine region borders the Danube and Romania in the north and the Black Sea coast in the west. The area is best known for its excellent white wines. Accordingly, the following white grape varieties can be found here: Aligoté, Dymiat, Gewürztraminer, Misket Cherven, Muskat-Ottonel, Riesling, Rkatsiteli, Sauvignon Blanc, Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano Toscano) and Viognier. But red wines are also produced, albeit in smaller numbers, from classic international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Pamid. The latter produces light red wines in Bulgaria that should be drunk young. Known growing areas are Burgas, Euxinograd, Kableschkovo, Kavarna, Khan Krum, Novi Pazar, Pomorie, Preslav, Razgrad, Shumen, Silistra, Targovischte and Varn.

Rozova Dolina - Rosental or Lower Balkan region

Rozova Dolina wine region is also known as Valley of Roses and it extends to the east on all flat foothills of the Balkan and Sredna Gora Mountains. The main areas are in the vicinity of the cities of Karlovo, Karnobat, Nikolaevo, Schivatchevo, Slaviantzi, Sliven Straldja, and Sungurlare. The following types of red wine can be found here: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mavrud, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. Important white wine varieties are Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Misket Rozov, Rkatsiteli, Riesling, and Viognier. The region is known for its dessert white wines and grape distillates made out of the varieties of Elenovo, Straldja, Karnobat, Sungurlare.

Trakijska Nizina - Thracia Valley

Dolinata na Struma - Struma Valley

Struma Valley lies in the narrow valley of the Struma River on the border with Greece and North Macedonia. It is particularly known for the red wines from the Shiroka Melnishka (Melnik) and Ranna Melnishka Loza (Melnik premature) varieties. Mainly red wine varieties are cultivated here in around 75% of the area. Important ones are Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache Noir, Marselan, Mavrud, Merlot, Mourvèdre (Monastrell), Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Roubine, Ruen, and Sangiovese. Important white wine varieties are Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Keratsuda (a local specialty), Pinot Gris, Tamianka (Muscat Blanc) Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier.

Frequently asked questions about Bulgaria wine country