Thracian Valley

Thracian Valley

41°32'07.2"N

LATITUDE

25°33'05.1"E

LONGITUDE

6

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about this region

Thracian Valley is located in southern Bulgaria and that currently represents about 35% of the vineyards in Bulgaria

Thracian Valley is one of the largest and most interesting regions to discover in Bulgaria. This region, located in southern Bulgaria and that currently represents about 35% of the vineyards in Bulgaria, not only produces excellent and powerful red wines, headed by the flagship wine Mavrud. There are also a lot of white wines with intense floral aromas and very easy to drink, that you can't miss.

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WINERIES

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Discover Terroir

The Thracian Valley is a wine-growing region of Bulgaria, which lies south of the Balkan mountains and the country's border with Greece and Turkey.

The climate of the Thracian Valley falls into the temperate continental classification, thanks to its hot summers and dry, mild winters. In addition, low levels of rainfall are recorded throughout the year, which makes this region perfect for growing red grapes.

The soil of the Thracian valley is very varied, but there is arguably a higher concentration of Jory soil. This soil has a high iron content, which makes it reddish. In addition, we can find calcareous and sandy-clay soils in the region.

Discover

Most Planted Red Grape Varieties: Mavrud, Pamid, Cabernet Sauvignon

Most Planted White Grape Varieties: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat

The Thracian Valley wine region has a great tradition in the production of high quality red wines, especially with the indigenous Mavrud variety. However, in recent years, excellent results have also been achieved with white wines. 

Mavrud wine is made from the variety of the same name, originally from the Balkans. It is usually a very powerful wine, with very present tannins and rich in alcohol. One of its most attractive characteristics is that it has notes of blackberry and prune in its aroma, in addition to having a great potential for aging in oak. Other of the wines produced within the region is the Cabernet Sauvignon wine.

White wines, on the other hand, are mainly made from Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat varieties, and stand out for their intense floral aroma and for being easy to drink. Among the three varieties, the most outstanding is Chardonnay, since the wines produced with this variety are very fresh, while in the mouth they have a fruity profile, with notes that may remind of pineapple or apple. The best exponents of this wine from the Thracian Valley present mineral notes that make them more complex.

altitude

100 - 300 m

rain

400 - 600 mm

soil

High concentration of Jory soil, rich in iron. Also, there is a great predominance of calcareous and sandy-clay soils.

top varietal

Mavrud and Chardonnay

History of wine

The Thracian Valley wine region in Bulgaria has a rich historical background that can be traced back to ancient times.

  1. Ancient Thracians: The Thracian Valley has a long history of winemaking, with evidence of viticulture and winemaking dating back to the ancient Thracians, who inhabited the region around the 5th millennium BC. The Thracians were skilled viticulturists and had a strong wine culture. They cultivated vineyards, produced wine, and held wine rituals as an integral part of their religious and social practices.
  2. Greek Influence: In the 6th century BC, Greek colonists settled in the Thracian Valley, bringing their winemaking knowledge and expertise with them. The Greeks introduced new grape varieties and advanced winemaking techniques, contributing to the development and refinement of winemaking in the region.
  3. Roman Era: With the conquest of Thrace by the Roman Empire in the 1st century BC, the Thracian Valley became an important wine-producing region within the empire. The Romans recognized the quality of the local wines and expanded vine cultivation and winemaking practices. Numerous vineyards and wineries were established, and the wines of the Thracian Valley gained popularity and were exported throughout the Roman Empire.
  4. Ottoman Rule: The Thracian Valley, like the rest of Bulgaria, came under Ottoman rule in the 14th century. During this period, winemaking continued but faced restrictions and challenges due to religious and cultural factors. However, small-scale wine production for local consumption persisted.
  5. Modern Era and Communism: Following the liberation from the Ottoman empire, the region experienced a resurgence in winemaking gaining recognition for its wines, winning awards at international exhibitions and earning a reputation for quality. But unfortunately this golden era of wine in the region was short lived. Following the WWII, Bulgaria fell under communist rule, vineyards and wineries were nationalized, holdings were aggregated paving the way for the incredibly devastating industrial agriculture. This shifted the focus towards quantity rather than quality, destined towards the other Eastern Bloc countries. However, certain traditional wineries managed to preserve their heritage and continue producing high-quality wines.
  6. Post-Communism: Following the fall of communism on November 10, 1989, the country commenced a slow transition to a market economy in the 1990s. The Thracian Valley wine region underwent a transformation. Private wineries emerged, and there was a renewed emphasis on quality winemaking. Investments were made in modernizing vineyards, adopting new technologies, and improving winemaking practices. The region saw a resurgence of traditional grape varieties and the introduction of international varieties, expanding the range of wines produced. Due to its semi arid climate and natural predisposition for high-quality viticulture, the region has received many outside investments which brought much needed funds but also expertise in modern winemaking.

Today, the Thracian Valley wine region is recognized as one of Bulgaria's prominent wine-producing areas. Its rich history, combined with ongoing efforts to elevate winemaking standards, has contributed to the region's reputation for producing diverse, high-quality wines.

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