Bulgarian Wine: Over 4,000 Years of History

Not many know that Bulgarian wine has a rich and storied history that dates back more than four thousand years. As one of the oldest wine-producing countries in Europe, Bulgaria has a winemaking tradition that is tied to its geography, culture and climate.

As the wine industry developed over the centuries, adapting to both the political and economic changes of the times so has its quality, thus producing one of the most exceptional wines in the world.

Bulgarian wine has an immense variety to offer which is often enjoyed with a range of dishes.

Let’s explore Bulgarian wine together with Emil Koralov and Ivaylo Katerski, and make it your next exciting wine experience destination!

What you will learn from this episode:

• Rediscover the history behind the top-notch wines Bulgaria produces now.
• How to experience the superb taste of Bulgaria’s indigenous grape and wine varieties.
• Explore the unique and exhilarating wine experiences and adventures available for a perfect wine experience.
• Discover the top Bulgarian vineyards, wineries and wine bars to visit and uncover the finest selection of their wines.
• Know why Bulgarian wine has become a must-have for connoisseurs around the world, and make it your next exciting wine experience destination.

Emil Koralov is the founder and ideologist of the first Bulgarian wine magazine Bacchus in 1999. Ten years later in 2009, he founded DiVino – a website and wine magazine. He is the founder and main organizer of DiVino.Taste – the most significant Bulgarian wine event, as well as other important wine events. In 2020 he became a co-founder of the Bulgarian Association of Wine Professionals. In autumn 2022 he opened his own wine bar with a selection of only Bulgarian wines with more than 300 labels. He is a wine connoisseur, expert and an experienced taster with a straight-out sense for the overall quality of wines.

Connect with Emil Koralov:

• www.divino.bg
• www.menumag.bg
• www.vintageclub.bg
• www.taste.divino.bg
• www.top50.divino.bg
• https://www.facebook.com/emil.koralov
• Instagram: @emilkoralov
• email:  emil.koralov@divino.bg
• email: emil.koralov@gmail.com 

Ivaylo Katerski was born in 1980 in Sofia, married with 2 kids. His passion for quality wine and interesting wine destinations dates back many years. In 2014 he started a project for wine and culinary tourism, called VIA VINO. For 9 years he had been creating and organizing private tours and exclusive wine and culinary experiences in charming wineries and regions.

He received a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines Certified. He is also a licensed guide and has been a member of the Association of Bulgarian Tour Guides since 2015.

In addition, he is a Co-founder and Chairman of the Bulgarian Association of Wine Professionals, an associate member of the Bulgarian Association of Independent Winegrowers, and recommended by the leading German tourist guide DUMONT for Bulgaria.

Connect with Ivaylo Katerski:

• Website: www.via-vino.com
• Email: ivaylo@via-vino.com
  

Topics Covered:

02:49 – An interest in wine sparked by events and people

04:11 – From publishing to winemaking

06:48 – From producing bulk wine to making exceptional quality wine

07:45 – The finest selection of Bulgarian wine in Emil’s wine bar

09:05 – Choosing the perfect experience and adventure for wine tours

11:05 – Knowing Bulgaria’s geographical area

12:05 – Where you can explore the beautiful Bulgarian vineyards and wineries

14:34 – Discovering English as Bulgarian people’s second language [and welcoming guests both from the local and international scene]
17:03 – Insights gleaned from the pandemic and looking ahead to a brighter future for the wine industry
18:39 – A wine bar worth visiting in Sofia

19:49 – Sharing about Bulgarian grape varieties

20:49 – Describing the characteristics of a Mavrud wine variety

23:40 – Wine being more than a beverage

24:44 – Interesting reasons to visit and experience Bulgarian wines

Quotes from Emil Koralov and Ivaylo Katerski:

“During communism, wine was a disaster. It was mostly focused on the quantity, not on the quality.”

“One friend of mine bought a former Bulgarian communist winery.”

“The first ten years of my wine life were in Bacchus Magazine.”

“The most important thing that we are doing is the DiVino Taste. This is the main event for Bulgarian wines.”

“In Bulgaria, we have no more than 120 wineries.”

“We have a rule: only three different labels from one winery.”

“It’s not about big or small wineries. It’s about quality.”

“Things are very dynamic in Bulgaria and things are changing very, very quickly. “

“More and more wineries open the doors for visitors.”

“Mavrud is the flagship variety of Bulgaria. “

“Wine is a passion and wine is travel, wine is friendship. “

“Evidence is that wine has been produced for more than 4,000 years in our country and territory.”