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Wine, together with beer and rakia, are the three most popular alcoholic beverages in Bulgaria. Wine making dates back all the way to the old Thracian tribes who occupied the territories of nowadays Bulgaria.

In the 1980's Bulgaria was the second largest producer of wine in the world. Even though wine production has declined since then, there are numerous wine makers and wine varieties in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria is separated in several wine regions. Each one has unique climate and landscape and produces its own unique varieties of wine.

Wine regions in Bulgaria:

"Danube River Plains" Region - Situated in the Northern part of Bulgaria south of the river Danube. The climate is temperate continental with long hot summer days.

Typical wines grown in the region are:

Muskat Ottonel - One of the sweetest white wine varieties produced in Bulgaria. Characteristics: light bodied, sweet, floral taste with musk aftertaste.
Chardoney - White dry or semi dry wine, characterized by its floral nuances with earthy overtones. Some varieties have a hint of tropical fruits.
Pamid - One of the oldest wine varieties produced in Bulgaria. Light red to pink wine with light body and fruity flavor. Due to lack of acidity, Pamid wines are best drunk young before they become unbalanced.
Cabarnet Sauvignon - There are many varieties of this wine all over the world but the one made in the Danube River Plains can be characterized as semi-dry, fruity, earthy with rich flower overtones.
Merlot - Also widely produced around the world wine. Merlot produced in this region of Bulgaria can be categorized as medium dry red wine with cherry flavors with a sweet after taste.
Gamza - Local light red wine, unique for this region. Characteristics: well balanced and slightly fruity flavor with slight acidic aftertaste.

"Black Sea Coastal" Region - Situated along the Black Sea coast this region boasts mild and long fall season which is a favorable condition for accumulating of sugars. Black Sea Coastal region yields 30% of all wine produced in Bulgaria.

Typical wines for this region are:

Dymiat - White wine with light body, sweet flavor and strong aroma. Dymiat wines are not aged and make a perfect compliment for any dessert.
Riesling - Dry or Off Dry white wine. Sweet, crisp flavor with light citrus undertones. Suitable as a compliment to desserts or light appetizers.
Ugni Blanc - Originally from Italy this white wine boasts bold fruit flavor and high acidic aftertaste.
Sauvingon Blanc - The best way to describe this wine would be crisp, semi-dry with citrus flavor. suitable for dessert compliment or with light fish dishes.
Traminer - Traminer and his close cousin Gewürztraminer are aromatic off-dry white wines with distinct floral flavor with undertones of passion fruit.

"Valley of The Roses" Region - Also known locally as Rose Valley or Sub Balkan valley, this region is situated on the South of The Balkan Mountains. The climate is continental with mild weather throughout the year.

Typical wines for this region are:

Muscatel - Made from muscat grapes, this wine exhibits rich and bold flavor with mint, plum, cherry and sage notes.
Riesling - Off Dry white wine. Sweet, mild flavor with vanilla aftertaste. Suitable as a compliment to desserts or light appetizers.
Rkatsiteli - Originally from Ex Soviet Republic of Georgia, this wine's style can be characterized as balanced with floral undertones and acidic after taste.
Cabarnet Sauvignon - Because of the temperate continental climate and mild weather this variety can be characterized as well balanced red wine with bold flower flavor, earthy and oakey.
Merlot - Red wine, mild flavor, grass and cherry undertones with slightly acidic after taste

"Thracian Valley" Region - Temperate continental climate and good precipitation make this a favorable region for red wine production. It is situated in the North part of the Thracian region.

Typical wines produced in the region are:

Mavrud - Dark red wine. Bold and rich. Ages well and is characterized by its spicy and fruity notes with high tannin finish.
Muskatel - Made from muscat grapes, this wine exhibits rich and bold flavor with mint, plum, cherry and sage notes.
Pamid - Not much different in characteristics from it's Danube Valley neighbor. Light red to pink wine with light body and fruity flavor. Due to lack of acidity.
Cabarnet Sauvignon - Because of the temperate continental climate and mild weather this variety can be characterized as well balanced red wine with bold flower flavor, earthy and oakey.
Merlot - Red wine, mild flavor, citrus, grass and cherry undertones with slightly acidic after taste

"Struma River Valley" Region - This is the smallest of all five regions. It is situated in the South-Western part of Bulgaria. Struma River Valley region has very distinct climate due to its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea.

Typical wines for this region are:

Shiroka Melnishka Loza - Local variety only produced in this region. It has very specific characteristics which make it easy to recognize. Characteristics: Ruby red with an explosion of rich flavor, fruity with strawberries, white cherries, and mint notes.
Cabarnet Sauvignon - A well balanced mix of tropical flavor, herbs, spices and plums.
Merlot - Red wine, mild flavor,ripe plum, citrus, grass and herb undertones with slightly acidic after taste