The wine country Bulgaria has undergone an astonishing development in the past decades. Bulgaria is now the world's sixth largest exporter of bottled wine. No wonder: Bulgarian winegrowers have been cultivating wine for over 5,000 years. In ancient times it was the Thracians who cultivated viticulture. Even today, Bulgarian winegrowers press wine, which impresses with its excellent aroma. The vines, the wine and the sun are thousands of years old symbols of Bulgaria. Bulgaria is one of the countries in Europe with the oldest winegrowing tradition. This tradition began over 5,000 years ago when vines were brought from the Near Middle East to the south of the country. The vine culture has spread from the old Bulgarian ports on the Black Sea to the whole country. For the ancient Slavs, Bulgarians, Greeks, Romans and Thracians, wine was an integral part of everyday life. It also took a spiritual place: The Bulgarians even used to call wine the intoxication of God.

Bulgaria has a variety of climatic conditions. It can be divided into five wine-growing regions.

1. the Danube plain
The Danube plain is located in the northern part of Bulgaria. It extends over the southern bank of the Danube and the central parts of the Wallachian Plain. The Danube plain is characterized by a moderate climate with many hours of sunshine and a hot summer. The Bulgarian winegrowers grow here mainly Chardonnay, Pamid, Gamza, Aligoté, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Muscat Ottonel.

2. the Black Sea region
The Black Sea region is located in eastern Bulgaria. The long and mild autumn offers optimal conditions for sugar production. Therefore the landscape is characterized by white wine varieties such as Ugni blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and Dimiat.

3. the rose valley
The Rose Valley is located in the heart of Bulgaria and borders on the Balkan Mountains. Here the Bulgarians grow Muscat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Misket, Rkatsiteli and Riesling.

4. The Upper Thracian Plain
In the south of the country lies the Upper Thracian Plain. The temperate continental climate is characterized by evenly distributed precipitation. Typical wine varieties are Pamid, Muscat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Mavrud.

5. the Struma Valley
In the southwest of the country lies the Struma Valley. The climate is characterized by Mediterranean climatic conditions. Here the regional vine Melnik, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon dominate.

Bulgaria lies in the centre of the Balkan Peninsula - on the same latitudes as Bordeaux and Tuscany. Due to this fact, the country offers similar conditions for growing wine. The numerous mountain formations protect Bulgaria from Adriatic and Aegean climatic influences. Therefore the climate is somewhat milder than in central Italy or southern France. The temperate continental climate offers perfect conditions for Bulgarian viticulture. Rainfall is concentrated in the spring or early summer. The summer is very hot, while the climate in autumn is dry and warm.