Now Available in the USA!
Have you ever savored the exceptional wines from the Thracian Lowlands? If not, now’s your chance—Thracian wines have arrived in the USA thanks to the European Union’ EULOVE project. What makes Thracian wines so special? They are produced in one of the oldest regions in the world, producing wine for about 7000 years. Their connection to the land and a heritage is safeguarded by prestigious EU quality schemes like Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).
The PGI and PDO are two key EU quality schemes that safeguard the authenticity, heritage, and quality of agricultural products, including wines.
– Protected Designation of Origin (PDO): This scheme applies to wines where every aspect of production—growing, harvesting, and winemaking—occurs within a specific region, using defined practices. Thracian wines with PDO status must showcase the distinctive terroir, grape varieties, and winemaking traditions of the Thracian Valley. This status emphasizes the unique characteristics derived from the region’s climate, soil, and winemaking heritage.
Protected Geographical Indication (PGI): PGI wines are also linked to a specific region, but the requirements are less stringent than PDO. For PGI Thracian wines, at least one stage of production must take place in the designated area, allowing for a broader range of grape sources and winemaking practices while still maintaining a connection to the Thracian Valley.
Food products that meet strict conditions for production, processing, transportation, and storage are labeled with the EU organic logo. This logo is used only on products certified by authorized bodies, ensuring compliance with the EU’s stringent rules on production, transportation, and storage.
The traditions of winemaking and viticulture practiced by the Thracians were inherited by their descendants—the modern Bulgarians. Ancient rituals have been slightly transformed in popular consciousness and over time became associated with the celebration of the grape harvest. Today, Bulgaria’s winemaking festival is officially held in honor of Saint Tryphon, a Christian priest. Following a centuries-old tradition, on Saint Tryphon’s Day, grapevines are pruned to ensure a bountiful harvest in the fall. This custom led to the saint being called Tryphon Zarezan (Tryphon the Pruned).
The presence of native grape varieties with a long history in modern Bulgaria, such as Mavrud, Pamid, and Melnik, believed to date back to Thracian times. Moreover, Bulgarians themselves believe they have even older grape varieties growing around Thracian sanctuaries. One such sanctuary, called “The Tears of Orpheus,” is said to be over 3,000 years old according to legend.
Winemakers in the Thracian Plain expertly blend time-honored winemaking traditions with modern innovations. While honoring the centuries-old techniques passed down through generations, they also incorporate the latest technologies to enhance the quality and precision of their wines. This harmonious combination of heritage and innovation enables them to create exceptional wines that showcase the unique characteristics of the region’s terroir, catering to both tradition-loving connoisseurs and modern wine enthusiasts alike.
An example of this is highlighted by the words of the export manager at one of the region’s leading wineries, who emphasizes the winery’s ability to produce over 2 million bottles each harvest : “What is interesting about our cellar is that despite the big volumes, we are still able to work with the method of microvinification. This is due to the fact that our tanks have relatively small capacity between 10 – 15hl. We are able to vinify different grape varieties and parcels separately according to their quality and usage in the final blend. Another great advantage is the usage of manual labour along the whole cycle of production. The harvest is done manually as well as most of our vinification. The cellar is constructed on 3 levels which aims to use gravity while minimizing the mechanical stress on the grapes and the young wine. All these features of our cellar as well as the vast experience of our winemakers position our wines among the most awarded wines from Eastern Europe.”
The next time you’re looking to savor a wine with a rich history and tradition, make sure to try a Thracian wine certified with the EU’s PGI and PDO quality labels. Discover the rich flavors and ancient heritage of PGI Thracian Lowlands wines at our upcoming tasting and wine events.
Source : https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/296371
