Bulgaria’s
Villa Yustina, Ustina, 26 km from Plovdiv is located in one of the top up and
coming wine regions in the world, the Thracian Lowlands. This wine region was named as one of the
top wine destinations in 2017. This Central Thracian Lowlands winery is focused
on the development of enotourism and the production of quality wines. It was indeed a pleasure for Spaswinefood to visit Villa Yustina. What follows are some Villa Yustina wine moments that I remember.
 |
| Dreaming of a Villa Yustina Rosé © Spaswinefood |
This Thracian Lowlands Wine Region winery was founded in 2006. Their Gorkata Vineyards in the northern
foothills of the Rhodope Mountains are within the Thracian Valley PGI (Protected Geographical Indication). The
grape varieties grown in their vineyard includes: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay,
Traminer, Aligote, Semillion, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. They also
grow indigenous grape varieties, such as Mavrud and Rubin.
 |
| Krassimira Kodukova,Villa Yustina © Spaswinefood |
When
we arrived at Villa Yustina we were greeted by
Enologist Krassimira Kodukova. She took us on a brief tour of the winery before tasting the wines. Our tour began with a quick stop at the tanks. We also viewed
the barrel room, the bottling area and the wine library. Villa Yustina is
a very modern winery, equipped with the latest in wine technology. While I have
seen all this before it was still good to take a quick tour. All in all, the
very quick walk through was well worth getting aquatinted with the winery’s
operations.
Villa
Yustina Wines
Villa
Yustina's wine series includes:
1.
Villa Yustina,
2.
Four Seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter wines made from vintage
blends),
3.
Monogram (selected vineyard boutique wine), and
4.
Villa Brut.
1. Wine Tasting
During the tasting we were introduced to white and red wines from these series.
The white wines I tasted were a Villa Yustina Blanc and two 4 Seasons (Spring and Summer) wines.
Villa Yustina, 4 Seasons (Spring), Thracian Valley PGI 2016
Villa Yustina Blanc, Thracian Valley PGI 2016
The red wines that I tasted were a Villa Yustina Rouge, a Monogram and a Villa Yustina Reserve.
Villa Yustina, Monogram Mavrud & Rubin Thracian Valley PGI 2013
Villa Yustina Reserve, Thracian Valley PGI 2012 ( a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir) is a special release of only 2087 bottles.
These are all well made wines and excellent value for the price. I particularly liked the Villa Yustina Reserve and the Monogram made with the indigenous grapes Mavrud and Rubin. Bulgaria is known for it indigenous grape varieties, such as Mavrud and Rubin. Mavrud comes from the Greek word (mavro) meaning black. The wine made from this grape has a dark ruby color. It is typically high tannins, with excellent acidity. On the palate it tends to be spicy, with stewed fruit and herbal flavors. Rubin is a hybrid grape developed at Wine and Viticulture Institute, by Plever in 1940's, by crossing Nebbiolo and Syrah. The grape was certified in 1961. The wine produced from this grape tends to take on the characteristics of both Nebbiolo and Syrah. The result is the wine tends to be spicy, with flavors of cherries, strawberries, black currents, violets and pepper.
Villa Yustina wines are available in the US from Kristova Family Wines, California and Malincho, Georgia.
2. Villa Yustina Rosé Moments
Fortunately for me, earlier while dining at a restaurant near the Bachkovo Monastery, I tasted a Villa Yustina, Rose. I must admit this has become one of my favorite Villa Yustina wines.
During the tasting we were introduced to white and red wines from these series.
 |
| Wine Tasting, Villa Yustina © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Villa Yustina Blanc and 4 Seasons (Spring & Summer) Wines © Spaswinefood |
 |
| 4 Seasons (Spring), Thracian Valley PGI 2016 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Villa Yustina Blanc, Thracian Valley PGI 2016 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Villa Yustina Rouge, Thracian Valley PGI 2016 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Villa Yustina, Monogram Thracian Valley PGI 2013 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Villa Yustina Reserve, Thracian Valley PGI 2012 © Spaswinefood |
Villa Yustina wines are available in the US from Kristova Family Wines, California and Malincho, Georgia.
2. Villa Yustina Rosé Moments
Fortunately for me, earlier while dining at a restaurant near the Bachkovo Monastery, I tasted a Villa Yustina, Rose. I must admit this has become one of my favorite Villa Yustina wines.
 |
| Villa Yustina, Rosé Thracian Valley PGI 2016 © Spaswinefood |
|
| Dreaming of Villa Yustina Rosé © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Waterfalls near Bachkovo Monastery © Spaswinefood |
Those are the Villa Yustina wine moments that I remember. There were others
3. Remembering Villa Yustina
It was an earlier dinner at Villa Yustina during #dwcc15. That evening dinner began with a Villa Brut wine. It was followed by
salad, paired with a Villa Yustina Blanc (Dry White) 2014.
 |
| Villa Yustina Blanc, Thracian Valley PGI 2014 © Spaswinefood |
The
next course was Baked Vegetables (vegetarian option) or Pork that was paired with
Monogram (Mavrud & Rubin) 2011.
 |
| Villa Yustina, Monogram (Mavrud & Rubin) Thracian Valley PGI 2011 © Spaswinefood |
It was during this earlier visit to Villa Yustina that I observed a wine fountain. Yes, there was real wine flowing in the fountain that evening. I suspect it was a very young vintage!
 |
| Wine Fountain, Villa Yustina © Spaswinefood |
I also have fond memories of my first introduction to Villa Yustina wines at #dwcc15.
 |
| Tasting Villa Yustina Wines at #dwcc15 © Spaswinefood |
Let me not forget to mention Villa Yustina's symbol. I could not resist taking a peek at the rooster.
Regrettably, because of a tight time schedule for our late afternoon visit there was no opportunity to view the vineyards at Villa Yustina.
Special thanks to our wonderful Villa Yustina host for sharing the passion behind the wines. After all wine is all about connecting with the people, place and the story behind the wine label. Villa Yustina hosts a variety of popular events throughout the year. The fact that winery has WiFi throughout the wine estate it is quite appealing for visitors. There is also a guesthouse located not far from the property. I would also like to note that Bulgaria's Thracian Lowlands is listed by Wine Enthusiasts as one of the best wine destinations 2017. Check out my travels in Bulgaria and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
 |
| Villa Yustina's Symbol © Spaswinefood |
Special thanks to our wonderful Villa Yustina host for sharing the passion behind the wines. After all wine is all about connecting with the people, place and the story behind the wine label. Villa Yustina hosts a variety of popular events throughout the year. The fact that winery has WiFi throughout the wine estate it is quite appealing for visitors. There is also a guesthouse located not far from the property. I would also like to note that Bulgaria's Thracian Lowlands is listed by Wine Enthusiasts as one of the best wine destinations 2017. Check out my travels in Bulgaria and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
Sharon
June
2017
Plovdiv,
Bulgaria
©
Spaswinefood
 |
| Krassimira Kodukova (right) and Me, Villa Yustina © Spaswinefood |
Note:
Special thanks to the Bulgarian Wine Export Association (BWEA) and our
Bulgarian host who sponsored this activity.
No comments:
Post a Comment