As spring quickly advances towards summer, I so remember those spring days in Sofia, Bulgaria. Sofia, the capital, and the largest city in Bulgaria, has been inhabited since around 7000 BC. It's city center is where you will find historic churches, Ottoman mosques, Red Army monuments, and so much more. In recent years Sofia has take on a modern and youthful appearance. This month Sofia hosts Balkans International Wine Competition (#BIWC2018). Last year when I attended BIWC2017, and other wine events, I not only experienced Bulgarian traditional and modern cuisine, but also listened to live music, ranging from folkloric to classical, to modern.
This Spaswinefood enthusiast came to Sofia for the International Balkans Wine Competition, and the Balkans Wine Festival June 1-4, 2017, which just happened to be held around the same time as the 40th Congress Vine and Wine, May 29 - June2, 2017. Between the wine sessions, and banquet functions I also managed to also explore Sofia. What follows are a few vignettes from those vine-filled days in Sofia.
40th Congress Vine and Wine
1. Dinner, Restaurant Swan, Pancharevo
We journeyed to Restaurant Swan in Pancharevo, on the outskirts of Sofia for a 40th Congress Vine and Wine dinner. One of delights was that the restaurant served traditional Bulgarian food.
The event began with Bulgarian style appetizers and everyday wines.
Some of the everyday wines served included:
Amongst the dinner options included:
Yes, there were Bulgarian breads and desserts.
Towards the end of dinner the entertainment began with arrival of the folk dancers.
As daylight faded into twilight, the flood lights came on for the performers.
Eventually the audience joined the dancers. It was a wonderful spring evening.
It was indeed a most delightful evening at Restaurant Swan.
While at the restaurant I saw a folkloric display, which featured Bulgarian breads. It is a Bulgarian tradition to welcome guests with bread.
The Bulgarian tradition to welcome guests with bread is widely practiced throughout the country.
Gala Banquet, 40th Congress Vine and Wine
The closing banquet of 40th Congress Vine and Wine was quite a formal affair, with a gala dinner and entertainment.
It was a banquet menu with top wines.
Throughout the evening the gala banquet included live music, ranging from folklore to classical, to modern styles.
Balkans International Wine Competition and Festival
Last year, after a week in Sofia, I would learn about the winners of The Best of the Balkans, 6th Balkans International Wine Competition on the evening of the Gala Dinner. On the day of the banquet I also attended master classes and the wine festival.
Now for a few highlights from the banquet.
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| Balkans International Wine Competition © Spaswinefood |
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| 40th Congress Vine and Wine, Sofia © Spaswinefood |
1. Dinner, Restaurant Swan, Pancharevo
We journeyed to Restaurant Swan in Pancharevo, on the outskirts of Sofia for a 40th Congress Vine and Wine dinner. One of delights was that the restaurant served traditional Bulgarian food.
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| Restaurant Swan, Pancharevo, Sofia © Spaswinefood |
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| Appetizers, Restaurant Swan © Spaswinefood |
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| More Appetizers, Restaurant Swan © Spaswinefood |
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| Thracian Wine © Spaswinefood |
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| Bulgarian Wines © Spaswinefood |
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| Potatoes and Meat, Restaurant Swan © Spaswinefood |
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| Veggies and Chicken, Restaurant Swan © Spaswinefood |
Towards the end of dinner the entertainment began with arrival of the folk dancers.
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| Folkloric Dancers, Restaurant Swan © Spaswinefood |
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| Lights On, Restaurant Swan © Spaswinefood |
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| Audience Participation, Restaurant Swan © Spaswinefood |
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| Restaurant Swan, Pancharevo © Spaswinefood |
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| Bread Display, Restaurant Swan © Spaswinefood |
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| Bulgarian Traditional Breads, Restaurant Swan © Spaswinefood |
Gala Banquet, 40th Congress Vine and Wine
The closing banquet of 40th Congress Vine and Wine was quite a formal affair, with a gala dinner and entertainment.
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| 40th Congress Vine and Wine, Sofia, Bulgaria © Spaswinefood |
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| Gala Banquet, 40th Congress Vine and Wine © Spaswinefood |
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| 40th Congress Vine and Wine Gala Banquet © Spaswinefood |
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| Gala Banquet Menu © Spaswinefood |
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| Violinist, 40th Congress Vine and Wine, Sofia © Spaswinefood |
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| Music to the Ears, 40th Congress Vine and Wine, Sofia © Spaswinefood |
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| Folkloric Performance, Gala Banquet © Spaswinefood |
Balkans International Wine Competition and Festival
Last year, after a week in Sofia, I would learn about the winners of The Best of the Balkans, 6th Balkans International Wine Competition on the evening of the Gala Dinner. On the day of the banquet I also attended master classes and the wine festival.
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| Wine Festival, Grand Hotel Sofia © Spaswinefood |
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| Sharing Wines, Wine Festival © Spaswinefood |
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| Gala Dinner, BIWC 2017 © Spaswinefood |
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| Gala Dinner, Grand Hotel Sofia © Spaswinefood |
The wines were paired with an exciting menu.
Let's take a peek at some of the wines.
Chateau Burgozone, Iris Creation 2015
Suvla, Karasakiz 2016
Alpha Estate Xinomavro 2013
Edcardo Miroglio, Elenovo Mavrud 2013
Yes, these were excellent wines, and a perfect ending to a vine-filled week in Sofia. To round out a busy week I managed to do a few explorations in Sofia.
Sofia Explorations
One day, I ate lunch at the Corso Restaurant, which just happens to have a stunning view of the Russian Orthodox Church.
We began lunch with a Shopska Salad, a traditional Bulgarian salad.
To accompany the salad we ordered these dishes.
We decided on a rosé wine. While in Bulgaria I enjoyed a number of very good rosé wines.
That day we had dessert as well.
After lunch we did a brief visit to the Russian Orthodox Church.
Sofia has a very walkable city center where you will find churches, Ottoman mosques and Red Army monuments. There are indeed many places to explore, such as the recent excavations revealed Roman ruins, from around 2000 years ago, when the city was known as Service, one of the city's many names in the past. All of this makes for interesting explorations in/near the city center.
As we explored city center, we walked down the fairy tale like yellow brick road, Osvoboditel Boulevard, from the Royal residence to the National Assembly. The road was a wedding gift by 19th century Bulgarian Prince Ferdinand to Princess Marie Louise of Boubon-Parma.
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| Gala Dinner Menu, Grand Hotel Sofia © Spaswinefood |
Chateau Burgozone, Iris Creation 2015
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| Chateau Burgozone, Iris Creation 2015 © Spaswinefood |
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| Suvla, Karasakiz 2016 © Spaswinefood |
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| Alpha Estate Xinomavro 2013 © Spaswinefood |
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| Edcardo Miroglio, Elenovo Mavrud 2013 © Spaswinefood |
Sofia Explorations
One day, I ate lunch at the Corso Restaurant, which just happens to have a stunning view of the Russian Orthodox Church.
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| Russian Orthodox Church © Spaswinefood |
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| Shopska Salad, Corso Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Meat Plate, Corso Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Pizza, Corso Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Angel's Estate, Deneb Rosé 2016 © Spaswinefood |
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| Dessert, Corso Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Russian Orthodox Church, Sofia© Spaswinefood |
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| Alexander Nevsky Cathedral © Spaswinefood |
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| Exploring Sofia © Spaswinefood |
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| Yellow Brick Road, Sofia © Spaswinefood |
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| Royal Palace, Sofia © Spaswinefood |
Besides exploring the historic city center, on another day we walked to Villa Victoria from our hotel, Sofia Hotel Suites. Villa Victoria is located in a park like setting.
After a pleasant walk we ate delightful lunch at Villa Victoria.
It is so easy to fall in love with Sofia while learning about Balkan wines. Remembering those spring days in Sofia reminds me that time passes far too quickly. Thank you Sofia, for those vine-filled memories. Special thanks Galina Todorova Niforou, and the Bulgarian Wine Export Association (BWEA) for being such wonderful hosts during my stay. All the best to those attending the 2018 International Balkans Wine Competition. While I will not attend this year I look forward to future explorations in Bulgaria. I invite you to join me in my travels in
Bulgaria and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
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| Villa Victoria © Spaswinefood |
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| Lunch, Villa Victoria © Spaswinefood |
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| Villa Victoria, Sofia © Spaswinefood |
Sharon
June
2017
Sofia,
Bulgaria
©
Spaswinefood
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| #Winelover Against Cancer, BIWC 2017 © Spaswinefood |
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