10 steps along the road of wine tourism.
1. If you decided to go on a wine tour in Bulgaria by yourself, the first thing you need to do is to find a good road map since although many of the wineries are situated in heavenly locations, the access roads can only be described as hellish.
2. Make appointments in advance. This can be done by filling in a visit form on the cellar web site or by phone. Otherwise you risk not being welcome by anyone or a long wait.
3. If the purpose of your trip is not just to replenish your cellar but to enhance your knowledge of wine, take the time to find out in advance the meaning of words like terroir, malolactic fermentation, cold maceration, etc. This will help you understand what your host is talking about and facilitate discussions and deepening of your knowledge.
4. Choose the right time for your wine tour. The easiest way is to ask the staff at the chosen wine cellar. They know best when they can meet you (considering their seasonal work). If possible, take more than one day for the tour. This will enable you fully to enjoy the colours and scents that surround you. Many cellars in Bulgaria already offer hotel accommodation as well.
5. When choosing a destination for your wine tour, remember that there are different wine regions in Bulgaria - each with its natural, geographic and varietal characteristics. This is important if you already have preferences for certain wine grape varieties.
6. Your wine trip is in full swing. Your hosts offer you range of special varietal wines, blends, limited selections, precious grape juice aged in oak barrels. Pay attention: if you hear that the wine has aromas of green pepper or dust, do not worry – it is nothing to be concerned about, these are the so-called wine tasting descriptors or specific terms to describe the nuances of aromas and flavours of the wine. Do not be upset with your nose if it does not immediately catch the pepper or chocolate in the wine - just let your senses enjoy it. They are unlikely to mislead you.
7. Wine tourist or not, a tourist is a tourist. You will probably hear of the Thracians and their ancient wine traditions which represent the roots of today’s wine-making in the country. However, it is good to know that present oenological prac- tices are German, French, Italian, Australian, and have nothing to do with Thracian legends. So if you leave feeling tipsy, do not blame it on history.
8. Ask your hosts any questions you have. As a living and evolving matter, wine contains not only quality wine grapes, but also the moral code of its creators. Meeting them very often determines to great extent our emotional relationship with a particular wine cellar.
9. If your wine tour includes several wineries, do not rush to purchase wine right from the beginning. In most cases, you can have the wine delivered. Thus you will get a better idea and be able to compare what you see and taste at the different cellars.
10. Do your research about what else can be seen near the chosen cellar. A good balance of natural and archeological and historical monuments, embraced by the magic world of wine, can leave you with a feeling of time well spent. And though only for a brief moment, with a sense of eternity.
Desislav Zvancharov
