The Eastern Region
The Eastern Region [the Black Sea area]. There are about 30% of Bulgarian vineyards in the area of Varna, Shumen, Targovishte, Burgas and Pomorie. There, in the south, the vineyards resisted the phylloxera attack in 1895 – 1910. They make the best white wines, including Chardonnay. Most of these wines are not exported to Poland. About 80% of the wines made there are white, the rest are red. The Eastern region is divided into three sub-regions:
- The Northern Coast Sub-Region – cities such as Kavarna and Provadia. White wines of Chardonnay, Muscat, Sauvignon Blans, Aligote, Dimiat, Rkatsiteli and Misket [a combination of Dimiat and Resling] are made here. The wines are relatively fresh, fruity, and mature, of good acidity. Varna Chardonnay is considered the best wine of this area.
- The Central Sub-Region – characteristic of cooler climate; the vineyards are located high above the sea level. The best Bulgarian white dry and semi-dry wines from Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Riesling, Dimiat and Gewurtztraminer from Novi Pazar, Shumen and Preslav are made here. The famous Bulgarian brandy is also made here. The export wines include the indestructible Sophia, Treasure of Kralevo, Khan Krum Traminer, Novi Pazar, Chardonnay and Preslav Chardonnay.
- The Southern Coast Sub-Region – famous for its resorts [Pomorie, Nessebar, and Bourgas]. It is the warmest part of the Eastern Region. The wines made here are more mature, very fruity, and mainly white [Misket, Muskat Ottonel, Dimiat, Chardonnay, Ugni Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Aligote].