Bulgaria Inside

Pleven’s vine growing and wine production institute has a cellar dating back to 1892. French experts were part of the process. The wine cellar possesses some really old wines, produced in the year of its opening.

Some of the wines were produced from grape types that were modified by the institute experts.

Other wines were made of special Bulgarian types of grape. As most cellars, this one has a selection of wines from Cabernet Sovignon, Chardonnay, Rkaciteli, Rielsing, Ugni Blanc, Misket and Aligote.

The cellar also preserves various types of cognacs and vermouth drinks. Visitors can also see the numerous gifts that the institute received from diplomats, visiting scientists and delegations.

All old bottles are covered in something that looks like dust. This is actually noble rot, a type of mold used in the production of Tokaji wines. The mold produces the specific taste of these wines.

Old specimens in the cellar have historic and collection value. These cannot be tried, since the wine inside the bottles already resembles sediment. Apart from these old bottles, the institute produces various excellent wines that tourists can try.

Visiting the institute during a hot summer day is a wonderful adventure. You will be welcomed by the smell of old barrels and by the cellar’s coolness. Trying a glass of cold white wine on such day is a real pleasure. And do remember, a real wine taster drinks slowly in order to feel the taste, color and scent of the wine in their entirety.

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Wine tasting offers include three, four or five wines. In case visitors are interested, rakia tasting can be organized as well. The price includes a short lecture about wine production in Pleven, instruction about the rules of wine tasting and presentation of the grape and wine types in the regions. An expert always guides the tasting process.

For more information
Violeta Dimitrova, institute director
Telephone +359 064/ 822 161
E-mail: ilv@el-soft.com