Melnik Wine Legends

Melnik Wine Legends

New Wines of Ancient Thrace is a promotional campaign of the Bulgarian Wine Export Association, which aims to present in United States, China and Japan the most interesting wines from indigenous varieties, as well as wines with Protected Geographical Indications and Protected Designation of Origin from the Thracian region.

One of these most noble and popular local varieties, of which many legends had been told in the past is the Broad Leaved Melnik Vine.

The Broad Leaved Melnik Vine is an old  variety of the Thracian land with rich history and legendary aura. It is botanical endemite. The leaves of this variety are the other reason for its name, being very large, wide and broad “broad leaved”. The wines have specific character, featuring strawberries, white cherries, fruit stones etc., which further depending on the terroir, the grape ripeness, vinification and ageing, may be complemented by tobacco, dried mint, tea and pepper notes. The color of the typical wine from Broad Leaved Melnik Vine is not ink black, but rather transparent ruby to purple.

Because the variety is not frost-resistant and is quite late ripener, it requires high temperatures during the growing season, hot summers, long warm dry autumns and relatively soft and warm winters. Generally it is often difficult for Melnik grapes to reached good and even ripeness. That's why most wine makers who know this brilliant but capricious variety well, believe it is better to work with its derivate 55 Melnik or so called Early Melnik Vine. It was created in the 70 's as a crossing of the Broad Leaved Melnik Vine with mixed pollen from 3 different French varieties Dûrif, Jurancon and Valdigie. At that time several different versions of such crossings had been developed, later some of them officially adopted as new red grape varieties such as  Melnik 55, Melnik 82, Melnik  1300 and Melnik Rubin. Often all these together as a group are referred to as Melnik wines.

Among the many legendary stories about Melnik, are those of Michael Palaiologos Melnik Miracle, told by the Byzantine historian Nikita Akominat and the story about the Wine Pipe at the Paris World Exposition 1889.

Michael Palaiologos Melnik Miracle

"Over the year 1252 Byzantine Emperor John Vatatzes appointed as his vicar Michael Palaiologos. Once the Emperor heard that Michael Palaiologos was planning to take his throne with the help of the Thracians. So John Vatatzes called Michael to Court. But before that he arranged a big feast, where all had a drink too much from the good Melnik wine.

During the party Bishop Phocas, a man of poor reputation and not particularly pious priest offered the defendant to verify his innocence by putting him to the iron test.

Before touching the hot iron Michael had to dip his hands in the holy Melnik wine. If innocent, the wine as symbol of God's blood, would keep his hands from burning. Michael replied: “ I'm not a magician and my hands are not made from marble, like those of Pheidias statues. Let the Bishop Phocas with his holiness and closeness to God first touch the hot iron! The Emperor, who knew well the “sanctity” of the Archbishop's Court, called the meeting off and punished the accusers. He offered Michael to marry his niece Theodora. Michael himself, later in time, became future great Byzantine Emperor, who restored the Byzantine Empire after the Crusades.

The second story goes like this:

Wine Pipe at the Paris World Exposition 1889

"Melnik wine was presented at the great World Exhibition in Paris in 1889. The wine makers from the region, however, came late and were placed somewhere at the end of the exhibition where they had no chances of success. Despite the attempts of Manolis Kordopoulos (the best local merchant who lead the whole group) to find a better place, nothing could be done. Then the famous bagpiper Kosta Radanov appeared at the stand and offered the exhibitors to advertise their wines with his bagpipe. He put a little balloon filled with Melnik wine in his bagpipes. While standing in front of the Eiffel Tower, playing with the pipe, he gathered a lot of listeners, whom he poured a glass of wine directly from the pipe. This became a sensation at the show, mostly because of the quality of Melnik wine. At the end of the exhibition, back home at a meeting of the local Vintner-exhibitors, Manolis Kordopoulos announced he had received so many orders that he and his grandchildren could not possibly supply in the next 184 years. However, he firmly refused to increase production, aware that the small amount of the wine produced and its good quality maintained its high price."

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
• Founder of the #LifeLover community

• Master of Wine candidate (former)

• Italian Wine Ambassador

• I combine my passion for wine with social media

• Follow me on twitter: @thewinehub 
• On Instagram: 1winelove

Authentic Thracian Red Wine Varieties

                                                    

Authentic Thracian Red Wine Varieties

Did you know that the Thracian wine region was the second largest producer of wine in the world in the 1980s? Today, it may not be producing wine on such a volume scale, but the thousand-year-old winemaking traditions continue to inspire the creation of unique indigenous wines. Indeed, vine growing and winemaking have always been part of Thracian culture since ancient times. Wine has been produced here for millennia on the sunlit hills and fertile soils of the Thracian Valley at the same geographic latitude (equivalent to central Italy or southern France). Thousands of years ago the ancient Thracians were consuming wine from elaborate gold vessels in the shape of animals and mythical creatures.

The authentic local red wines you can find here vary from the spicy Mavrud of the Central South, through the Broadleaved Melnik of the South West, perfumed Dimyat of the coastal area, elegant Pamid of the upper Thracian Valley, to the fresh Gamza of the North West.

Mavrud

Mavrud’s name comes from the Greek word for black and you can definitely see why in this wine’s deep color. Used to make a dark ruby-colored and soft-tasting wine, Mavrud grapes are almost exclusively grown in a small area just North of the charming Rhodope. Mavrud grapes are typically small in size, low on yield and ripen late. The harvest is in late October. All these factors result in a spicy and fruity varietal with high tannins, appreciated for its high quality, remarkable maturing potential and local character.

Broad-Leaved Melnik Vine

Planted in the Southwestern-most and warmest corner of the country, in the distinct Mediterranean climate zone of the Struma River, the Broad-Leaved Melnik Vine bears all the signs of an age-worthy southern red grape variety. Varietals are often named just Melnik, referring to the picturesque smallest town with the same name, famous for its winemaking tradition. According to a very popular story, Melnik wine was Winston Churchill’s favorite and 500 litres of this wine were delivered to him annually! Whether true or not, it is certain that wine from the late-ripening Broad-Leaved Melnik grapes has a captivating taste often displaying tobacco and leather hints.

Dimyat

The white Dimyat is grown in the vicinity of the Black Sea. It is the most widely grown indigenous white grape here and its wine is often consumed chilled in the hot summer days by the sea. A curious legend claims that Dimyat was originally cultivated in the Nile Delta of Egypt and was brought to our lands by Crusaders, for all we know though, its characteristics are typically Thracian. Dimyat wines are usually not aged. They taste sweet, with vanilla aromas and a light body. Dimyat grapes are also often used to make excellent brandy and grape rakia (grappa).

Pamid

Pamid, a classic Thracian indigenous red wine, which used to be the most widely cultivated red grape in the country before the advent of worldwide favorites like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the 1960s. Somewhat ironically, today it is so hard to find that it may well be listed as endangered species! Pamid wine is usually consumed young as everyday enjoyable table wine. Pamid gives pleasant light and fruity red wines that are a fitting companion to many of the heavier meals of the local cuisine.

Gamza

Gamza is the pride of the north. It is also known as Kadarka. Gamza’s origins are somewhat mysterious, as this kind of wine is also enjoyed in many other countries in Central and South East Europe. Gamza grapes ripen in late September and the wines are fresh, harmonious and fruity – somewhat comparable to Pinot Noir. The variety is brilliantly suited for rosé wines as well.

All these beautiful Thracian wines could be tasted in USA thanks to the New Wines of Ancient Thrace, EU funded promotional campaign of the Bulgarian Wine Export Association.

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
• Founder of the #LifeLover community

• Master of Wine candidate (former)

• Italian Wine Ambassador

• I combine my passion for wine with social media

• Follow me on twitter: @thewinehub 
• On Instagram: 1winelove

New Wines of Ancient Thrace to continue its promotional program in Chicago, Illinois and Houston, Texas, USA after big success in Shanghai, China and Hong Kong.

The recent success of the Bulgarian Wine Export Association in Shanghai, China and Hong Kong and the kind words of many wine buyers and wine specialists from these promising markets show the right direction of the quality of the presented wines of New Wines of Ancient Thrace and the possibilities for penetration on the American market.

Two important events are in the schedule of Bulgarian Wine Export Association (BWEA) – beginning of May the wineries will attend the World Wine Meeting Chicago and then in June they will return to Houston for the second time participating in Wine & Food Week.

The events will attract importers, distributors, major retailers, media, supermarkets and restaurant owners, wine professionals from Chicago and Houston area. Several events are included in the program of the wineries’ representatives who believe that the wine business and the wine loving audience in Chicago and Houston will be thrilled by the new wines, coming in this growing wine market.

New Wines of Ancient Thrace is a promotional campaign of the Bulgarian Wine Export Association (BWEA), established in 2012 with the main objective to actively introduce high-quality European wines to new markets. The main activities of the Association include: wine promotion, organization of conferences, workshops and seminars with promotional and informative purposes, support for the increase of wine export through the creation and management of projects, financed by EU funds, to penetrate to some of the most important world wine markets, to show the new modern face of the old Thracian wines.

 “We are thrilled to return in the States with many more activities this year!” says Galina Niforou, BWEA chairwoman. “The quality of our wines was never so high, we have all the necessary elements for competing in this important wine market – good quality, good price/quality ratio, interesting new local varieties, great packaging and highly motivated winemakers to do their best for making even better wines year after year. I’m sure that all the wineries, participating in this project will find the right distributor and will start selling their wines in the US market. Have you ever tried Mavrud? Or Melnik, Rubin and Gamza? You will be amazed! Our wines are really the well kept secret from the land of Spartacus!”

Thrace is one of the oldest wine producing areas in the world with evidence of wine production dating back to 4 000 BC. The Thracians were numerous tribes who worshipped wine as a divine drink. Thracian wine was even mentioned in Homer’s The Illiadas the finest wine there was.

It is believed that the world’s first documented wine appellation was designated in nowadays in this land  when in II century AD emperor Antonius Pius proclaimed the vineyards in Lower Mizia (part of Thrace) as protected.

New Wines of Ancient Thrace  proudly highlights  the facts that wine has been made in this land for 6 thousands years. Cult of the god of wine Dionysus actually originated from ancient Thrace. The Thracians drank their wine undiluted with water; this was the main difference from the ancient Greeks who poured 3 parts of water and one part of wine into their Phiale.

For the Thracians, wine was a sacred element of religious practice. The best-known pieces of gold and silver, which depict ritual wine drinking situations with the god Dionysus, are found in this land.

Actually Thrace is the oldest place of wine making in Europe. Its vineyards share some of the same soil characteristics and latitude of famous wine growing regions in Bordeaux, the South of France and Central Italy.

Its tradition along with the modern state of art wineries are giving the brilliant results of high quality wines produced from indigenous grape varieties like Mavrud, Melnik, Rubin, Gamza, Dimyat, Red Misket, etc. 

The international grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc are also widely planted there and giving some word class examples.

The country is devided into 5 wine regions, each with its specific terroir and climate conditions, but all of them suitable for high quality winemaking.

Grape varieties

Mavrud

Considered to date back to Ancient Thrace times, Mavrud is a red wine grape, which for centuries has been exclusively grown in the region of the ancient Filippopolis, north of the Rhodoppe Mountains. This variety is normally used for making dark wines with deep color and soft taste.  Its cultivation is difficult and requires special dedication. However, the unique quality of the wine made of Mavrud is worth the effort!

Melnik

The Melnik vine is a red grape variety, grown in the region of the Struma valley, which is characterized with Mediterranean climate. According to a legend, the wine made of Melnik vine was among the favourite wines of Winston Churchill. This variety can produce increasingly powerful wines with rich texture, exotic perfume and soft tannin.

Gamza

Cultivated since ancient times, the grape variety of Gamza, also known as “Kadarka”in many Balkan countries, is best grown in the Danube region. It produces vivid red wines with pleasant fruit taste and distinct freshness. This variety requires very specific climate conditions, which is why it is predominantly cultivated in the region of the Danube valley.

Dimyat

Known for its aromatic grapes, Dimyat has been grown for centuries in the Black Sea region. Dimyat wines have a sweet taste, strong aroma and light color. The grapes of  Dimyat ripe in late September. This grape variety is the most popular one in the Black Sea Region.

Pamid

According to the legends, ancient Thracians have been very keen consumers of Pamid wines, characterized with pleasant light and fruit taste. While it has been widely cultivated by Thracians over a number of centuries, nowadays it continues to be grown specifically in the region of the Thracian valley.

Rubin

A successful crossing between Syrah and Nebbiolo

A dark blue-colored wine grape variety, Rubin is the mostly planted in the Thracian valley region. The vines of Rubin , planted along the Thracian valley and bordered by the Strandzha Mountains, tend to produce wines with explicitly rich taste and color. Taste them and you will be amazed!

For more information about the New Wines of Ancient Thrace promotional campaign:

contact:  eng. Galina Niforou, Wine MBA - BWEA chairwoman: niforou@oinorama.com, www.winesofthrace.bg

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