The Bulgarian Wine Export Association (BWEA) is bringing to USA wines from the Thracian Valley, one of the World Top 10 Wine Destinations for 2017, rated by arguably the most prestigious American wine and gourmet culture magazine Wine Enthusiast. The beautiful Balkan Thracian Valley was ranked second among countries such as Italy, Spain, France, Argentina and others.
On January 5th, 2017 Wine Enthusiast listed the Thracian Valley region as second best in the Top 10 Wine Travel Destinations in the world for 2017. Wine Enthusiast’s entertainment and lifestyle editors Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, who lead the ranking, came to the capital city of the Thracian Valley wine region as members of the jury of the world famous Concours Mondial de Bruxelles that took place in 2016. After visiting the region, its vineyards and historic sites, these two wine enthusiasts shared their impressions saying, they have found themselves in a “travel fantasyland” with numerous archaeological wonders combine with modern wines.
Vine growing and winemaking have always been part of Thracian culture since ancient times. Wine has been produced here for millennia on the sunlit hills and fertile soils of the Thracian Valley at the same geographic latitude (equivalent to central Italy or southern France). Thousands of years ago the ancient Thracians were consuming wine from elaborate gold vessels in the shape of animals and mythical creatures.
One of the brightest examples of Thracian wine art is the Panagyurishte treasure dated to 4th century BC. It consists of nine solid gold vessels, decorated with different zoomorphic, anthropomorphic figures, mythological scenes etc., that belonged to a Thracian king Seuthes III. The treasure is unique not only for its weight in gold - a total of 6.1 kg, but also for the originality of its shapes and ornamentation, as well as for its exquisite craftsmanship. It is true demonstration of the significant role Thracians played in the ancient culture.
The authentic indigenous red wines the Thracian kings drank from similar gold cups were made from the most popular local grapes such as Mavrud and Melnik.
Mavrud
Mavrud’s name comes from the Greek word for black and you can definitely see why in this wine’s deep colour. Used to make a dark ruby-colored and soft-tasting wine. Mavrud grapes are typically small in size, low on yield and ripen late. The harvest is in late October. All these factors result in a spicy and fruity varietal with high tannins, appreciated for its high quality, remarkable maturing potential and local character.
Broad-Leaved Melnik Vine
The Broad-Leaved Melnik Vine bears all the signs of an age-worthy southern red grape variety. According to a very popular story, Melnik wine was Winston Churchill’s favorite and 500 litres of this wine were delivered to him annually! Whether true or not, it is certain that wine from the late-ripening Broad-Leaved Melnik grapes has a captivating taste often displaying tobacco and leather hints.
In 2018 in Houston you will have a chance to taste these interesting varietal wines, which will be brought there by the Bulgarian Wine Export Association’s on EU funded New Wines of Ancient Thrace promotional campaign. Cheers!
New Wines of Ancient Thrace
mail: niforou@oinorama.com, mob: +359 885 731 331
No comments:
Post a Comment