Vine-growing and winemaking regions in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian climate is temperate, with warm summers and comparatively cool winters. The annual amount of rainfall is between 470 and 953 l / m². The average temperature sum necessary for vines is between 3500 and 3700 °С. Soils are diverse in Bulgaria – there are maroon and gray forest soils, humus-carbonated eluviated chernozem and alluvial-meadow soils, including deep and shallow sandy soils, among others. These are highly favorable for the development of the vine, for the better ripening of the grapes, and for obtaining superior white and red wines.

According to State Gazette № 67 of August 16th 2005, there are two distinguished winemaking regions in Bulgaria:

• The Danube Plain
• The Thracian Lowlands

In accordance with the old Council of Ministers decree № 162 of July 13th 1960, Bulgaria was divided into five wine-growing regions.

Danube Plain – The Northern Wine Region

This north Bulgarian region is characterized by a moderate continental climate with hot summers and a large number of sunny days. It covers the central and western parts of the Danube Plain, the southern bank of the Danube and the adjacent regions. Common wine varieties are Muscat Ottonel, Gamza, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Aligote, Pamid, and others. This area produces high quality dry white wines, naturally sparkling wines using classical technology as well as superior red wines that are characterized by rich fruity flavor and fresh taste.

Thracian Lowlands – A Southern Wine Region

The climate in this south Bulgarian region is moderate continental with a good distribution of rainfall throughout the whole growing period. It comprises the central parts of the Thracian lowland and some parts of the Sakar. Wine types that are cultivated include Mavrud, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Misket, and Pamid. This region is protected from sharp northern winds; its climatic conditions facilitate acquiring splendid, rich, dense, memorable high quality red wines of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Mavrud types. Wines from the typical Mavrud variety are particularly valued because they combine the flavor and taste of small red fruits, spices and herbs.

Black Sea – Eastern Wine Region

This area in Eastern Bulgaria comprises three sub regions. The autumn season is warm and lengthy, which is highly favorable for the accumulation of a sufficient amount of sugars as to obtain delicate, white semi-dry wines. Some of the varieties cultivated are Muskat Ottonel, Dimyat, Chardonnay, Ugni Blanc, Traminer, Sauvignon Blanc, the latter being especially renowned for its exquisite grapes in this region. Some of Bulgaria’s finest dry and semi-dry white wines are produced in these territories, wines that combine pleasant fruity aroma, dense taste, and elegant freshness at the end.

The Struma Valley – Southwestern Wine Region

This region incorporates the southwestern parts of the country. It is not large in size, but has some specific climate features that bear resemblance to the Mediterranean areas. Along the Struma river valley winemakers cultivate the local sort – the Shiroka Melnishka vine, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. These wines are characterized by warm southern tones in the aroma, a fullness of taste, and lavish general impressions. Of particular interest are the Shiroka Melnishka vine wines, which are rich and sufficiently bulk, and assume exotic and highly pleasant nuances in taste when ageing is present.

The Rose Valley – Sub Balkan Wine Region

The Sub Balkan region extends to the South of the Stara Planina Mountain and has two sub regions – the Eastern and Western. The southern slopes of Stara Planina, as well as in the valley between that mountain and the Sredna Gora Mountain range, are places where the predominant sorts of Red Misket, Riesling, Rkaziteli, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are cultivated. The region produces mainly dry white and semi-white wines, and not so much red and flavored wines. These wines bear a distinctive pleasant fruity aroma, fresh and harmonic taste. Wines of the local Red Misket sort are some of the best representatives of white wines in Bulgaria, and they stand out with rich fruity taste, elegant body, and subtle unforgettable aftertaste.

According to State Gazette № 67 of August 16th 2005, for the production of high quality guaranteed, and of guaranteed and controlled origin, the following regions have been outlined:

1. Vidin
2. Novo Selo
3. Montana
4. Lom
5. Vratza
6. Pleven
7. Lozitza
8. Varbitza
9. Lovech
10. Russe
11. Lyaskovetz
12. Svishtov
13. Suhindol
14. Pavlikeni
15. Shumen
16. Novi Pazar
17. Veliki Preslav
18. Han Krum
19. Dragoevo
20. Targovishte
21. Varna
22. Euxinograd
23. Black Sea Region
24. Southern Black Sea coast
25. Pomorie
26. Sungurlare
27. Slavyantzi
28. Karnobat
29. Pazardzhik
30. Septemvri
31. Plovdiv
32. Assenovgrad
33. Karlovo
34. Hissarya
35. Perushtitza
36. Brestnik
37. Yambol
38. Stara Zagora
39. Oryahovitza
40. Sliven
41. Shivachevo
42. Nova Zagora
43. Haskovo
44. Ivaylovgrad
45. Lyubimetz
46. Stambolovo
47. Sakar
48. Struma Valley
49. Sandanski
50. Melnik
51. Harsovo

There have been materials from the National Vine and Wine Chamber attached.