BULGARIAN WINE

Bulgarian wine has undeniable taste qualities. It is worldwide famous and it has won many international awards. Merit for the great taste of the Bulgarian wines is the specific climatic and geographic characteristics, and the ancient tradition in the area of viticulture and winemaking. Ever since the ancient Thracians, who inhabited these lands, wine has been respected. They used it not only as a drink on the table, but also for many of their religious rituals. They believed that with wine they could reach their gods. The ancient Greek god Dionysus and his Thracian analogue Zagreus were worshipped by the Thracians as gods of wine and merriment. Evidence for the ancient Thracian traditions in wine production and consumption are the magnificent Thracian treasures, which are mostly wine sets.

Even Homer often mentioned the superior qualities of the Thracian wines in his works. After the establishment of the Bulgarian state in the 7th century, the traditions in winemaking were inherited and continued. Many medieval travelers, who travelled across our lands, mention the properties of the various wines they have tasted on their way. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century the viticulture and wine making were already approached professionally and the foundations of the modern Bulgarian wine production were laid. Nowadays high quality wines from Bulgarian producers can be found all over the world.

The taste for good wine and the interest in the local varieties triggered the entry of wine tourism, wine tours and tastings in Bulgaria.