MAIN Wine Europe Bulgaria

Bulgaria claims the distinction of being the oldest documented wine producing region in the world. While there are those who may dispute that, the history of wine production in this country is indeed ancient dating back to the 5th century BC.

Today, Bulgaria boasts five wine regions including the Black Sea region where more than 30% of all vines are located, producing mostly white varietals ranging from Reisling and Sauvignon blanc to Traminer and Gewürztraminer.

Another notable wine producing area is the Danubian Plain which encompasses the south banks of the Danube, and where typical wines produced are both red and whites including Muscat Ottonel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pamid and the local Gamza.

Further south the Rose Valley, Strauma River Valley, and the Thracian lowlands are more famous for their red wines -- most notably Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Since the break up of the Soviet Union, reviews of some of the best wineries (along with investors beginning to support the country's wine industry) may someday soon put Bulgarian wines back in their rightful place -- on dinner tables and wine cellars worldwide.

More about Bulgarian wineries around the Web:

Bulgarian wine - Wikipedia - Good overview with information on the Black Sea, Rose Valley, Danubian Plain, Thracian Lowland and Struma River Valley wine regions with related references and resources.

Bulgarian Wine Varieties - A quick overview from a Bulgarian travel site with a beautifully illustrated guide to the grapes and terroir of the region.

Bulgarian Wine - Here's a bit of insight into the country's long history of wine production, along with details on the wine industry in Bulgaria since the Soviet Union disbanded.