Red · Old native
Mavrud
Mavrud
Where: Asenovgrad (Stanimaka) is the classic centre; smaller areas near Perushtitsa, Pazardzhik, Stara Zagora, Chirpan and Karnobat.
The wine: Deep ruby colour, enough tannin and acidity; aromas of blackberry and ripe mulberry. It does very well in oak. Today it is also made as rosé and as a white from red grapes.
Good to know: The name comes from the Greek "mavro", black, for its almost opaque skin. There is an International Mavrud Day — 26 October. Area 2020: 1,265 ha.
See our wines from this variety →Red · Old native
Shiroka Melnishka Loza
Shiroka Melnishka Loza
Where: Almost only in the Struma valley around Melnik, Sandanski and Petrich.
The wine: Thick skin, high acidity and firm tannins, so it traditionally ages in oak. Wild berries, dried plum, herbs, tobacco, dark chocolate.
Good to know: It is the "mother" of the whole Melnik family — Melnik 55, Melnik 1300, Ruen and Sandanski Misket. Traditionally trained as a low bush, 10–15 cm above the ground.
See our wines from this variety →Red · Old native
Pamid
Pamid
Where: The Thracian lowland and across the country — the largest native variety by area (about 10% of vineyards).
The wine: A pale, light red with low tannins — strawberry, raspberry, sour cherry. Served lightly chilled; it is coming back into fashion.
Good to know: Believed to have been grown since the time of the Thracians. In 1944 it covered about 600,000 decares.
See our wines from this variety →Red · Old native
Gamza
Gamza
Where: North-western and central northern Bulgaria — Vidin, Pleven, Svishtov.
The wine: Delicate structure, silky tannins and fresh acidity; raspberry, wild strawberry, red cherry. Also enjoyed lightly chilled.
Good to know: An old variety of northern Bulgaria; several countries dispute its homeland (in Hungary and Romania it is known as Kadarka).
See our wines from this variety →Red · Old native
Shevka
Shevka
Where: Mainly around Sliven, on stony slopes.
The wine: A rare variety; we have a wine from the Yalovo winery.
Good to know: Resistant to drought and cold, ripening late — picked in the second half of September.
See our wines from this variety →White · Old native
Dimyat
Dimyat
Where: The Black Sea coast — Varna, Shumen, Provadia, Pomorie.
The wine: Citrus, green apple, pear, linden blossom; near the sea there is a salty finish. With lees ageing or oak — waxy and honeyed notes. Orange wine is made from it too.
Good to know: DNA analysis shows a natural cross between Coarna Alba and Heunisch Weiss. Area 2020: 2,866 ha.
See our wines from this variety →White · Old native
Keratsuda
Keratsuda
Where: The Struma valley and the Sandanski–Petrich basin.
The wine: Wildflowers, dry grass, yellow apple, dried apricot and a light waxy-honey note; light to medium body.
Good to know: A tough "Spartan" that withstands drought, cold and rot. Pure Keratsuda wines are very rare on the market.
See our wines from this variety →White · Old native
Misket Cherven
Misket Cherven
Where: The Sungurlare and Prosenik valleys, Karlovo, Varna region.
The wine: Pink-red berries that make a white wine — straw-yellow, harmonious, with a delicate muscat aroma.
Good to know: The most cold-hardy of the native varieties. Area 2020: 4,100 ha — the second largest native variety.
White · Foreign origin
Tamyanka
Tamyanka
Where: Grown here for centuries; known as "Temenuga" around Vratsa.
The wine: Elderflower, jasmine, linden, rose water, white peach and apricot. A classic for off-dry and sweet wines; today also made dry.
Good to know: Genetically the same as the French Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains. The name comes from "tamyan" (incense), for its aroma.
See our wines from this variety →White · Foreign origin
Vrachanski Misket
Vrachanski Misket
Where: The Vratsa, Lom and Pazardzhik areas.
The wine: White wines of a golden-yellow colour, developed bouquet and lasting muscat aroma.
Good to know: In the international catalogue VIVC it is listed as Pécsi szagos; DNA analysis gives Coarna Alba × Muscat à Petits Grains.
See our wines from this variety →Red · Crossing
Rubin
Rubin
Where: The Thracian lowland, the Struma valley, the Rhodopes; bred in Pleven.
The wine: Deep dark red, blueberry, blackberry and violet; good ageing potential. The Mavrud + Rubin blend is a "modern classic".
Good to know: Nebbiolo × Syrah. Bred at the Institute of Viticulture and Enology in Pleven.
See our wines from this variety →Red · Crossing
Melnik 55
Melnik 55
Where: Sandanski and Katuntsi; today almost every winery around Melnik, Sandanski and Petrich makes it.
The wine: Deep ruby colour, blackberry, sour cherry, plum, black pepper, herbs, tobacco; softer tannins than Shiroka Melnishka. Also makes a fresh rosé.
Good to know: A cross of Shiroka Melnishka and Valdiguié (by DNA). It ripens 2–3 weeks earlier than its mother and so avoids the autumn rains.
See our wines from this variety →Red · Crossing
Melnik 1300
Melnik Yubileen 1300
Where: The Melnik region.
The wine: Very deep colour, strength and density.
Good to know: Shiroka Melnishka × Saperavi, confirmed by DNA; crossed in 1963. The name marks 1,300 years since the founding of the Bulgarian state.
See our wines from this variety →Red · Crossing
Ruen
Ruen
Where: South-western Bulgaria.
The wine: Dark red, extractive and fresh; Melnik spiciness with the classic structure of Cabernet.
Good to know: Shiroka Melnishka × Cabernet Sauvignon.
See our wines from this variety →Red · Crossing
Evmolpia
Evmolpia
Where: The Thracian lowland; bred at the Higher Agricultural Institute in Plovdiv.
The wine: Deep ruby colour, much like a good Mavrud; black cherry, plum, blackberry, soft tannins.
Good to know: Mavrud × Merlot, recognised in 1991. Evmolpia is one of the oldest names of Plovdiv.
See our wines from this variety →Red · Crossing
Buket
Buket (Bouquet)
Where: Crossed in 1951 at the experimental vineyard in the town of Septemvri, studied in Pleven.
The wine: Intense colour, extractive, harmonious wine.
Good to know: Mavrud × Pinot Noir. Mid-ripening and cold-hardy, but does not tolerate drought.
See our wines from this variety →Red · Crossing
Trakiyska Slava
Trakiyska Slava
Where: Recommended for the Southern region.
The wine: Alcoholic, well coloured, full and soft; tastes similar to Pamid.
Good to know: Pamid × Mavrud.
White · Crossing
Sandanski Misket
Sandanski Misket
Where: South-western Bulgaria.
The wine: Pale yellow with greenish reflections; lemon, lime, grapefruit, linden, acacia; light body.
Good to know: Tamyanka × Shiroka Melnishka — a white variety with a red parent.
See our wines from this variety →White · Crossing
Varnenski Misket
Varnenski Misket
Where: The Black Sea region; bred at the Higher Agricultural Institute in Plovdiv.
The wine: Light, full, harmonious, with a gentle muscat aroma; also used for dessert wines.
Good to know: Dimyat × Riesling.
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