The Wine Bar – An Alternative Way of Developing Wine Tourism

As well as for its natural beauties, Bulgaria is renowned for its excellent wines and they form the basis for the development of wine tourism. Both locals and foreigners find it attractive to visit Bulgarian wineries and wine bars to enjoy the large selection of wines.

A new tendency in today’s world is the increased demand for non-traditional (alternative) forms of tourism. Bulgaria has natural resources, tradition and culture for the development of wine tourism.

Count Von Neiperg, owner of five castles with built-in wineries in the famous vineyard district of Bordeaux in France, says, ‘Bulgaria has a longer wine history than Bordeaux.’ Von Neiperg has successfully invested EUR 7 million in wine production and wine tourism in the Bulgarian village of Ognyanovo in the Pazardjik region. Wine tourism is among the fastest-growing forms of non-traditional tourism, with a remarkable growth over the last few years. Bulgarian wine producers have been very successful at the international market.

The Country’s Natural resources

Bulgaria has a large potential for the development of wine tourism: nature and climate; unique national sorts of grapes which would not grow anywhere else; French and German sorts which are grown in perfect conditions; centuries-old traditions in wine production. French sommeliers admire the high-quality wines, made from Bulgarian grapes, for their distinctive flavour.

Here are some of the most favoured sorts:

Mavroud – one of the most valuable local sorts, used for the production of red wines with a thick ruby colour and an exotic flavour of wild fruit.

Gumza – a very old sort, grown in Northern Bulgaria, used for the production of dry ruby red wine with a nice flavour of red and dried fruit.

Red Misket – a sort grown in Southern Bulgaria; the wines are amber-coloured, with a delicate flavour.

Pamid – a centuries-old local sort, dating back to Thracian times. In the past it was the most popular sort to grow. The wines, made from it, are light-red and are suitable for mass use.

Melnik Vine - a centuries-old local sort, grown in the Melnik region. It is late-growing and the wine is thick, with an astringent flavour and shades of cherry, strawberry, and a touch of smoke.

Bulgarian sorts of white grapes:

Dimyat – best grown in the regions of Varna and Pomorie. The wines have a golden colour and a delicate flavour.

Tamyanka (Muskat) – a sort grown in Northern Bulgaria and in the regions of Bourgas and Pomorie, used for the production of high-quality dessert wines with a golden colour and a delicate fruit flavour.

Keratsuda – a sort grown in Southern Bulgaria, suitable for the production of dry wines with a thick golden colour and a strong nutmeg flavour with shades of honey.

As is obvious from the country’s wine map, Bulgarian and foreign grapes are widely grown, so wine tourism can be developed in most of the country’s regions.

The Wine Bar

For several years wine lovers in Bulgaria have enjoyed this type of restaurant. The leading world tendency is towards increased consumption of wine and decreased consumption of hard drinks. Bulgaria, too, is beginning to follow the trend.

In September 2003 a Wine bar was opened in Sofia. It offers a wide selection of red and white wines and light foods. In the newly opened ‘Sommelier’ bar visitors focus on the culture of wine drinking.

Hotels & Restaurants Magazine
February 2006