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Grape growing andwine production have a long history inBulgaria, dating back to the times of theThracians. There is evidence of Bulgarian winemaking since 4000 B.C. Wine is, together withbeer and graperakia, among the most popular alcoholic beverages in the country.[1]
A government decree of 13 July 1960 officially divided Bulgaria into five distinct viticultural regions.[citation needed]
TheDanubian Plain or North Bulgarian region encompasses the south banks of theDanube and the central and western parts of the Danubian Plain. The climate of the area is temperatecontinental, has a hot summer and many sunny days a year. Typical styles areMuscat Ottonel,Cabernet Sauvignon,Merlot,Chardonnay,Aligoté,Pamid and the localGamza. In the US appellation also approved as "Danube River Plains" region.[citation needed]
TheBlack Sea region is where 30% of all vines are located. The region is characterized by long and mild autumns that are a favourable condition for the accumulation ofsugars to make fine white wine (53% of all white wine varietals are concentrated in the region). Wine styles includeDimyat,Riesling,Muscat Ottonel,Ugni blanc,Sauvignon blanc,Traminer, andGewürztraminer. In the US appellation also approved as "Black Sea Coastal" region.[citation needed]
TheRose Valley region is located south of theBalkan Mountains. It is divided into an eastern and western subregion, with styles such asMuscatel, Riesling,Rkatsiteli,Cabernet Sauvignon andMerlot dominating. The region mostly produces dry and off-dry white wine and less red wine. The region includes the Sungurlare Valley, famous for its wine from theRed Misket grape variety. In the US appellation also approved as "Valley of the Roses" region.[citation needed]
The temperate continental climate in the area and the favourable distribution of precipitation are good premises for the developed red wine growing in thelowlands of Upper Thrace. The region includes the central part of the lowland, as well as parts of theSakar mountain.Mavrud, a famous local wine, as well as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Muscatel and Pamid are grown.[citation needed]
The Balkan Mountains serve to block the cold winds blowing from the plains of Russia, and the region to the south of the Balkans, the valley drained by the Maritsa River, has aMediterranean climate, with mild, rainy winters and warm, dry summers. In the US appellation also approved as "Thracian Valley" region.[citation needed]
The region includes the southwestern parts of Bulgaria, the valley of the riverStruma in the historical region ofMacedonia. The area is small in size, but is climatically very distinct and characteristic, owing to the strongMediterranean influence from the south. The local wineShiroka Melnishka (taking its name fromMelnik), as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are cultivated.[citation needed]
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