Bulgaria
Bulgaria—through geography and winemaking.
From the north and south of the Balkan Mountains to the Black Sea and the Struma River: study indigenous varieties, appellations, red blends, and skin-fermented whites.
You can study geography, grape varieties, appellations, and winemaking in sequence. Knowledge gained from articles can be verified through exercises comparing regions and styles.
Grasp the location of the region.
- Danube Plain: northern reds and whites Northern Pleven area
- Black Sea side: Dimiat and white wine regions Black Sea coast / Varna
- Rose Valley: Aromatic mountain whites Sub-Balkan Karlovo
- Thracian Lowlands: Local reds and blends Southern, Plovdiv
- Struma River Basin: The diversity of Melnik Southwest – Melnik
Choose from articles
Mountains, the Black Sea and the Struma
Overview of Bulgaria
Don't end with just north and south; add the eastern sea and the southwestern valley.
Protected origin names
Distinguish between geographic divisions and PGI/PDO.
Read explanations of provincial names separately from information on protected label indications.
Bulgarian local grapes
Mavrud, Melnick, local white varieties
Include not only black grapes but also aromatic whites in the grape variety map.
Danubian Plain
Danube Plain: northern reds and whites
Learn from light reds to international varieties between river and mountains.
Black Sea region
Black Sea side: Dimiat and white wine regions
Beginning with coastal whites, move on to the differences between coastal and inland areas.
Sub-Balkan and Rose Valley
Rose Valley: Aromatic mountain whites
Understand from the relationship between mountains and varieties, not just from the impression of the name.
Thracian Lowlands
Thracian Lowlands: Local reds and blends
From Mavrud as a starting point, move on to producers using international varieties.
Struma Valley and Melnik
Struma River Basin: The diversity of Melnik
In warm southwestern regions, learn differences among Melnik-type varieties and both red and white winemaking.
Domaine Bessa Valley
Enira Reserva 2019: reading the blend and barrel use
Using the 2019 documentation, check the actual varietal ratios and barrel usage. Read beyond the product name to understand winemaking differences.
Orange Wine — 2016 introduction
Villa Melnik: Fermenting Whites on Their Skins
Follow skin contact and subsequent lees aging processes for white grapes separately.
Major topics of study are selected and included. This is not an encyclopedia listing every appellation, variety, or producer.