Bulgaria Flashcards
Bulgaria was, for a time in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, the world’s fourth largest exporter of wine. What stymied the industry?
Gorbachev’s anti-alcohol reforms launched in 1985 and privatization following the collapse of the Communist regime in 1990.
What are the quality categories of Bulgaria?
DGO-Declared Geopraphic Origin
Controliran wines-Controliran is a superior controlled appellation of origin within a DGO, and each wine must be produced from the appellation’s permitted grape varietals with max yield and residual sugar content defined for each.
What are the 5 regions of wines production in Bulgaria? What are the only two regions recognized by the EU as PGI’s?
- northern Danubian Plain (PGI)
- southern Thracian Lowlands (PGI)
- eastern Black Sea
- western Struma River Valley
- narrow Rose Valley in the center of country
What are the most noteworthy Controliran appellations? (2)
Suhindol and Svichtov in the Danubian Plain
Sungurlare in the Rose Valley
Harsovo in the Struma River Valley
Khan Krum in the Black Sea Region
What is barik mean on a label?
Fermentation occurred in oak casks of 500l or less in volume.
What does “reserve” and “Special Selection” mean on a label of Bulgarian wine?
Reserve: 1 year aging
Special Selction: 2 years of aging.
What two international red grapes lead Bulgaria’s acreage?
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
What tannic grape is exclusively cultivated in Struma River Valley?
Melnik; typically has powerful tannins that require careful management or lengthy oak ageing.
What Bulgarian grape is one of the first red varietals to be harvested, and produces fresh wines suitable for youthful consumption?
Pamid
What is the Bulgarin cross of Nebbiolo x Syrah?
Rubin
What are the most planted white grapes of Bulgaria? What are the other white grapes grown in the region.
Eastern European Rkatsiteli and Dimiat are most planted
Red Misket (Misket Cherven) and Sungurlare (no relation to Muscat) are other native white grapes.
