Bulgaria

**Bulgaria** is one of the oldest wine-growing lands in Europe, with roots reaching back to Thracian antiquity, and in the 1980s it was among the world's largest wine exporters before reinventing itself as a quality-focused producer. **Signature wines** — The country is best known for reds, both from international grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and, increasingly, from characterful native varieties. Mavrud and Melnik give dark, structured, ageworthy reds, while Rubin is a local crossing and Dimyat and Misket supply aromatic whites. **Key regions** — Winemaking spreads across the Thracian Lowlands, the Danubian Plain, the Black Sea coast, and the warmer valleys of the southwest around Melnik. **Good to know** — During the communist era, Bulgaria built vast state-run vineyards aimed squarely at export markets, and its inexpensive Cabernet became a familiar sight abroad. Since joining the EU, the industry has shifted toward smaller estates, indigenous grapes, and modern cellars, adopting EU appellation categories in place of the old state system.

Wines

• Impresio — Villa Grivitsa
• Merlot — Katarzyna Estate
• Reserve — Zagreus Winery