Bulgaria’s exciting new era of winemaking makes this country in the south-east of Europe one of the most attractive destinations for wine lovers seeking a holiday combining authentic gastronomy, amazing culture, natural beauty and fascinating history.
‘Today the wine scene is an incredibly dynamic place,’ wrote Caroline Gilby MW in a recent article on the country’s viticulture, ‘Few people outside its borders have any idea of how different this modern era of Bulgarian wine is.’ Small wonder as most of Bulgaria’s wine is consumed by the domestic market. Gilby reports that official forecasts for 2019 estimated some 908,000hl of wine would be made by the 282 registered commercial producers in the country.
Much of the rising quality and fresh approaches to Bulgarian viticulture is derived from small, independent wineries who Gilby praises for bringing ‘dynamism, personal vision and variety to the industry’. In addition to the widespread cultivation of recognisable varieties (including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay), old varities are being given a new lease of life and are being cultivated while experimental blends are being tried.
(Credit: Midalidare Estate)
The exciting wines of the Midalidare Estate in the south-central region of Stara Zagora reflect this new vitality within the nation’s wine-making. The first vines on the 160-ha estate were planted in 2003‒04 while the first winery was built in 2009 ready for the first vintage to reach the Bulgarian market the following year. Other highlights include the launch of sparkling wines in 2014 and organic certification for the Dabovets vineyard in 2018. The entire development has the capacity to produce 400,000 bottles of sparkline, white, rosé and red. Grape varieties that have been cultivated on the estate include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Mourvedre, Petit Verdot, Petit Meunier, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Traminer, Semillon and Viognier. Some 20 per cent of the estate’s wines are exported.
The prestigious Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships held in December 2020 awarded the respected Chairman’s Trophy to the estate for its Sparkling Brut Magnum. In addition, Midalidare’s Sparkling Brut Magnum was also awarded a Gold medal, Best in Class Bulgarian Magnum, Best in Class Bulgarian Blanc de Blancs Brut, National Champion and World Champion Blanc de Blancs accolades. Silver medals also went to the Midalidare Sparkling Blanc de Blancs Magnum and Midalidare Sparkling Gold 0.75 L.
Midalidare Estate’s Eastern Winery, opened in 2011, offers a choice of wine tour options and tastings conducted in English. Many visitors come from the hotel situated on the estate but it is also a popular stop-off for tourists exploring the Thracian Valley. The estate is located some 16.5km from the attractive town of Chirpan on the Tekirska River that provides an ideal starting point for exploring the Southern wine region of the Thracian Valley. This is one of the five official wine regions of the country that also include the Northern (The Danubian Plain), Eastern (The Black Sea Coast), Sub-Balkan (The Valley of Roses), Southern (The Thracian Valley) and Southwestern (The Struma Valley). The Southern region, however, boasts more wineries than any other in Bulgaria (about 75% of them) making it an ideal destination for a visit to begin discovering the wine story of the country.
In order to reach Chirpan, visitors can fly in to the capital city of Sofia (served by major airlines such as Bulgaria Air, Lufthansa, Ryan Air and Wizz Air) then take a 190-km road trip. Alternatively, Plovdiv airport (in the country’s second largest city) is some 42km from Chirpan and is being served by Ryanair who are offering flights from London-Stansted at the time of writing.
In safer times, the Thracian Valley offers a great value and exciting gateway to discover the world of Bulgarian wine. At the same time, visitors have the opportunity to discover the authentic culture, food, history and natural beauty of Chirpan and the wider region. We cannot wait to visit!
Top image: Midalidare Estate’s East winery opened in 2011. (Credit: Midalidare Estate)
