The road to happiness is paved with gratitude: My thank you notes from the past two weeks in Greece and Bulgaria. (part 1)

The road to happiness is paved with gratitude: 

My thank you notes from the past two weeks in Greece and Bulgaria.

[part 1]

After two weeks in Europe I have a long list of people that I have to thank. From one reason or another, they made our journey in Greece and Bulgaria special and unforgettable. 

Some are dear old friends (the best of friends!)... 

and some a dear new friends (the best of friends!) 

My very first stop will be with the man who had the dream to make it all possible: The one and only Giannis Krassaki. My dear old friend, thank you!!

My second stop will be with the man who worked really hard (as you can see in the picture) to deliver an amazing experience in his homeland, Thrace, Greece. 

My dear new friend, George "The Perfectionist" Touratzis, thank you so much!!

My third stop is to thank the brilliant Touratzis Umami team. You guys rock! Thank you so much for everything you guys have done to deliver such and incredible adventure. Please consider yourselves my new dear friends Manos "Vino Vino Vino" Ausone, Lampros Zografos, Xristos Alatzias, and Theophilos Geront!!!

My fourth stop will be with the amazing producers who opened their bottles of wine, olive oil and hearts to us! Thank you so much!!!  

Eλαιοτριβείο Κύκλωπας - Kyklopas Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Ktima Vourvoukeli - Elli Vourvoukelis Orfanides - Melmar Winery - Κάβα Πορφυρός - Ethnological Museum of Thrace - Domaine Kikones - Melina Tassou Kikones - Dadia Forest Inn - Pavlos Georgiadis

Last (but not least) my final stop of this first chapter goes to all my dear friends (old and new) who believed in the dream and joined us in Thrace for an amazing adventure. Mariusz F. Rybak, Robyn Bancroft, Tim Lemke, Kathy Bijker, Sharon Parsons, Claire Sarazin, Pinar Ishakoglu, Sue Tolson, Lesya Onyshko, Claudia Padilla Rasshofer, Burcak Desombre, Carmen Moraes, Serban Sincai (and Santa Simona), Meriane Sander, Sandra Zandavalli Avila, and Monica Miranda Monteiro. 

#SeeYouInThrace!!! 

Cheers,

Luiz Alberto 

• Founder of the #winelover community

• Master of Wine candidate

• Member of the Circle of Wine Writers

• Italian Wine Ambassador

• I combine my passion for wine with social media

• Follow me on twitter: @thewinehub

• On Instagram: 1winelover

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New Wines of Ancient Thrace Launches commercial promotions in Houston, Texas

New Wines of Ancient Thrace

Launches commercial promotions in Houston, Texas

With the tasting of local and international varieties will start the trade promotions , organized by the Bulgarian Wine Export Association in Shanghai in Houston. Each of the wines will give an insight look into the region from which it originate.

Each of the 5 regions will be presented:

Thracian valley

The area includes the central part of the valley, as well as parts of the Sakar Mountains. It is characterized by moderate continental climate and favorable precipitation distribution. Some of the most typical wines of this region include Mavrud, Rubin, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pamid.

Valley of the Roses

The area is located between Stara Planina and Sredna gora and it produces predominantly white dry wines. The Rose Valley is the birthplace of Red Misket. It is a white grape variety with a pink skin, which produces aromatic white wines similar to those of the Muscat family. Among the most famous varieties of grapes in this area are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling.

Danubian Plain

This area covers the southern banks of the Danube and is characterized by temperate continental climate, hot summer and sunny days. Commonly grown vine varieties in this area are Merlot, Pamid, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamza, and Muscat Ottonel.

Black Sea region

Influenced by the Black Sea, this region is characterized by a soft autumn, making it suitable for growing white varieties with a strong sugar concentration. Dimyat Muscat Ottonel and Sauvignon Blanc are among the most frequently grown vines in this area. From the red Pinot Noir is definitely the star of the region.

Struma valley

This region includes the valley of the Struma River. The climate is typically Mediterranean, with mild, rainy winter and hot summer. The typical varieties of grapes traditionally grown here include Melnik, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

This is the second year when New Wines of Ancient Thrace will promote their wines in Houston. Wine professionals, wine lovers, wine enthusiasts– welcome!

New Wines of Ancient Thrace

www.winesofthrace.bg

mail: niforou@oinorama.com, mob: +359 885 731 331

Cheers,

Luiz Alberto (on behalf of Galina Niforou, BWEA chairwoman)

• Founder of the #winelover community

• Master of Wine candidate

• Member of the Circle of Wine Writers

• Italian Wine Ambassador

• I combine my passion for wine with social media

• Follow me on twitter: @thewinehub

• On Instagram: 1winelover