Bulgarian Wine
Northern Bulgarian Wine Region 
The Northern Bulgarian Wine Region, also sometimes referred to as the Danubian Plain Wine Region, can be further sub-divided into three zones. The north-western zone includes the wine districts of Vidin, Mihailovgrad and Vratsa. The central zone includes the wine districts of Suhindol, Pleven and Veliko Turnovo. The Danubian zone includes the wine districts of Ruse (Russe), Svishtov and Nikopol. The Northern Bulgarian Wine Region is known for its red wines particularly from sorts such as Gamza, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, as well as some Chardonnay. Typical white varieties found in the Northern Bulgarian Wine Region are Rkatsiteli, Aligoté and Muscat Ottonel, as well as Pamid.
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Eastern Bulgarian Wine Region 
The Eastern Bulgarian Wine Region is also known as the Black Sea Coast Wine Region. It accounts for about 29% of Bulgaria’s vineyards and can be divided into three major sub-regions: the Northern Black Sea Coast Wine Region, the Southern Black Sea Coast Wine Region, and the Internal Black Sea Coast Wine Region. Within the Eastern Bulgarian Wine Region are found many renowned wine districts such as Varna, Aytos, Burgas, Khan Krum, Novi Pazar, Shumen, Dobrich (Tolbuhin), Preslav, Targovishte, Pomorie and Razgrad, as well as the famous Euxinograd wines. The Eastern Bulgarian Wine Region is a major centre for the production of high quality white and sparkling wines. The main grape varieties found in the Eastern Bulgarian Wine Region are: Riesling, Aligoté, Chardonnay, Misket (Miskat), Muscat Ottonel, Ugni Blanc, Dimiat and Fetiaska. There is also some Sauvignon Blanc, Traminer, and Gewürztraminer. |
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Central Bulgarian Wine Region 
The Central Bulgarian Wine Region is also known as the Sub-balkan Wine Region,
and is located directly south of the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina).
It is the smallest wine region in the country.
Predominant grape varieties growing in the region are Cherven Misket (Red Miskat), Rkatsiteli, Muscat Ottonel and Riesling, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and some Merlot. The Central Bulgarian Wine Region is divided into two distinct sub-regions.
The western zone is known as the Valley of the Roses Wine Region and includes the well-known Karlovo wine producing centre. The eastern zone includes the renowned Sungurlare Valley, where the Cherven Misket (Red Miskat) is grown. Here too one finds the Slavyantsi winery.
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Southern Bulgarian Wine Region 
The Southern Bulgarian Wine Region is also known as the Thracian Valley of Thracian Lowlands Wine Region. It is a large wine region accounting for about a third of Bulgaria’s vineyards. The Southern Bulgarian Wine Region is known for its red wines made from grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Mavrud and Pamid, and for white grape varieties such as Rkatsiteli, Cherven Misket (Red Miskat) and Muscat Ottonel. The Southern Bulgarian Wine Region is divided into three sub-regions. The western part of the Southern Bulgarian Wine Region includes the wine districts around Pazardzhik and Septemvri which are noted for high quality blended red wines. The central part of the Southern Bulgarian Wine Region includes the wine districts of Stara Zagora, Oryahovitsa, Chirpan, Haskovo, Stambolovo, Asenovgrad, Brestnik, Lyubimets and Perushtitsa which are famous for red wines, semi-dry white wines and dessert wines. The eastern part of the Southern Bulgarian Wine Region includes the wine districts of Yambol, Korten, Sliven, Sakar and Nova Zagora.
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South-western Bulgarian Wine Region 
The South-western Bulgarian Wine Region is also known as the Struma Valley Wine Region. It is another small wine region and includes the districts of Blagoevgrad and Kyustendil. Because of Mediterranean climatic influences penetrating up the valley of the River Struma, grapes here tend to ripen earlier and are cultivated for dessert wines. Because conditions in the South-western Bulgarian Wine Region are so similar to those of the Mediterranean, red and whie wines from the region tend to have southern characteristics. In the South-western Bulgarian Wine Region, one not only finds Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pamid, Rkatsiteli and Aligoté grape varieties, but also the unique Shiroka Melnishka Loza (Broad-leaved Melnik Vine).
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