Bulgaria Flashcards
Bulgaria was, for a time in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the world’s __ largest exporter of wine, providing both Eastern and Western Europe with an abundance of cheap varietal wines
fourth
Bulgarian wines revealed their New World ties, as UC Davis experts were instrumental in modernizing the industry and developing what?
a fruit-forward, cask-aged style of Cabernet Sauvignon that could compete in global markets
What hurt the Bulgarian industry in 1985?
Gorbachev’s anti-alcohol reforms and privatization following the collapse of the Communist regime in 1990 moved at a slow pace
Bulgaria’s successes in the years following have often followed the New World model, such as what?
varietal Chard/CS from Boyar Estates (labeled “Blueridge”)
France’s Belvedere Group lent the country some prestige when it stepped into Bulgaria in 2002, but sold many of its Bulgarian assets when?
in 2009 during the global economic crisis
Bulgarian quality and exports continue to quietly rise, led by boutique projects such as who?
Santa Sarah and Enira, rather than the larger companies and co-operatives instrumental to Bulgaria’s accomplishments in the past.
Bulgarian wine law dates to ___, but recent updates have brought the quality categories in line with the French model and EU regulations
1978
Quality Wines produced in a Specific Region include what?
DGO (Declared Geographic Origin/Vino ot Deklariran Geografski) wines and the Controliran wines
What is the Controliran?
a superior controlled appellation of origin within a DGO
Each Controliran wine must be produced from what?
the appellation’s permitted grape varietals
What is defined for each Controliran?
Maximum yield and RS content
There are__ zones in total for both Controliran and DGO wines
47
What are Bulgaria’s 5 large regions of wine production?
- the northern Danubian Plain
- the southern Thracian Lowlands
- the eastern Black Sea Region
- the western Struma River Valley
- the narrow Rose Valley in the center of the country
The EU recognizes only what 2 regions as geographical indications?
the Danubian Plain and the Thracian Lowlands
Name noteworthy Controliran appellations in the Danubian Plain
Suhindol and Svichtov
Name a noteworthy Controliran appellation in the Rose Valley
Sungurlare
Name a noteworthy Controliran appellation in the Struma River Valley
Harsovo
Name a noteworthy Controliran appellation in the Black Sea Region
Khan Krum
All quality wines may be labeled “barik” if what?
the fermentation occurred in oak casks of 500L or less in volume
DGO wines may be labeled “Reserve” or “Special Selection” with what?
Reserve- 1yr aging
Special Selection- 2yrs aging
Red grapes account for more than__ of Bulgaria’s acreage
half
What grapes lead the international plantings?
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
What native grapes are widely grown?
Gamza (Kadarka) and deep-colored Mavrud
What tannic grape is exclusively cultivated in the Struma River Valley, particularly in the DGO of the same name?
Melnik
What is one of the first red varietals to be harvested, and produces fresh wines suitable for youthful consumption?
The thin-skinned Pamid
What crossing of Nebbiolo x Syrah, shows great potential?
Rubin
What white grape is an aromatic specialty of Sungurlare?
Red Misket (Misket Cherven), of no relation to Muscat
What are the most planted white varietals in Bulgaria?
The Eastern European Rkatsiteli and Dimiat
