Асеновград (Asenovgrad)

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The vineyards are situated at the foot of the northern slopes of the Rodopi, in the southern part of the Thracian Lowland, at elevations between 150 and 280 m above sea level.
• The climate is temperate continental, with a cumulative heat sum for the period above 10 °C of between 3,500 and 4,000 °C and an annual rainfall of approximately 550 mm.
• In the higher parts of the area the soils are cinnamon forest soils, transitioning in the lower parts to rendzinas and alluvial meadow soils.
• The relief is gently undulating and gives way to flat terrain in the lower parts of the area.
• The mild climate of the so-called Rhodope Collar and the sandy-clayey cinnamon forest soils create conditions for red wines with high acidity, lower pH, and an intense deep-red colour.

• The permitted varieties for red and rosé wines include the local Mavrud, Rubin, and Pamid alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah.
• Both mixed and short pruning are applied, with a load of up to 54 buds per vine, and planting density reaches a maximum of 450 vines per decare.

• The red wines are distinguished by an intense and full deep-red colour, a clearly expressed aroma of small black fruits, full and soft tannins, high acidity, and lower pH.
• The rosés display aromas of strawberry and raspberry with characteristic freshness on the palate and nuances of citrus fruit.

• The cinnamon forest soils in the higher parts of the area and the alluvial meadow soils in the lower parts contribute to the high acidity and lower pH of the red wines.
• The mild temperate-continental climate of the so-called Rhodope Collar shapes the intense and full deep-red colour and the clearly expressed aroma of small black fruits in the red wines.
• The same combination of climate and soils accounts for the full and soft tannins in the red wines of the area.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.

Sources

• National product specification (PDF) — iavv
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-BG-A0877
• Official trade body site — НЛВК — Национална лозаро-винарска камара