Bulgaria

Question 1

True or False:

In the late 1970s and early 1980s Bulgaria was the 4th largest exporter of wine.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Name a prominent Bulgarian wine producer.

Answer 2

Boyar Estates

• labeled “Blue Ridge”
• follows the New World Model such as varietal Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 3

Name 2 boutique wine projects of Bulgaria

Answer 3

• Santa Sarah

- Enira

Question 4

When was Bulgarian wine law first established?

Answer 4

1978

-recent updates have brought the quality categoriesin line with the French model and EU regulations

Question 5

Name the 2 categories of Bulgarian Quality Wines produced in a specific region.

Answer 5

• DGO (Declared Geographic Origin/ Vino ot Deklarrian Geografski
• Controliran Wines

Question 6

What is Controliran?

Answer 6

• a superior controlled appellation within a DGO and each Controlian wine must be produced from the appellations permitted grape varietals
• maximum yields and RS content is defined for each Controliran

Question 7

How many Controliran and DGO zones are there in total?

Answer 7

52

Question 8

Name the 5 large regions of Bulgarian wine production.

Answer 8

• Danubian Plain (North)
• Thracian Lowlands (South)
• Black Sea Region (East)
• Struma River Valley (West)
• Rose Valley (Center)

Question 9

What are the only 2 regions of Bulgaria that are recognized by the EU as geographical indications for wine production?

Answer 9

• Danubian Plain

- Thracian Lowlands

Question 10

Name 2 Controliran appellations of the Danubian Plain.

Answer 10

• Suhindol

- Svichtov

Question 11

Name a Controliran of the Rose Valley.

Answer 11

Sungurlare

Question 12

Name a Controliran of the Struma River Valley.

Answer 12

Harsovo

Question 13

Name a Controliran of the Black Sea Region.

Answer 13

Khan Krum

Question 14

What does “barik” indicate on a quality wine label?

Answer 14

“Barik” indicates that the fermentation occurred in oak casks of 500L or less in volume

Question 15

What does “Reserve” indicate on a DGO label?

Answer 15

1 year of aging

Question 16

What does “Special Selection” indicate on a DGO wine label?

Answer 16

2 years of aging

Question 17

What 2 grapes lead international plantings in Bulgaria?

Answer 17

• Cabernet Sauvigonn

- Merlot

Question 18

Name 5 red native grapes of Bulgaria.

Answer 18

• Gamza (Kadarka)
• Mavrud
• Melnik
• Pamid
• Rubin

Question 19

What native Bulgarian grape is cultivated exclusively in the Struma River Valley?

Answer 19

Melnik

• particularly in the DGO of the same name
• tannic in structure

Question 20

What is one of the first red varietals to be harvested in Bulgaria?

Answer 20

Pamid

• thin skinned
• produces fresh wines for youthful consumption

Question 21

What is Rubin a crossing of?

Answer 21

Nebbiolo x Syrah

-showing great potential

Question 22

What is Red Misket (Misket Cherven)?

Answer 22

• an aromatic specialty of sungurlare in the Rose Valley

- of no relation to Muscat

Question 23

What are the 2 most planted white varietals of Bulgaria?

Answer 23

• Rkatsiteli

- Dimiat