Ямбол (Yambol)

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The vineyards are situated in the Tundzha–Strandzha Plain in southeastern Bulgaria, with Stara Planina to the north and the Black Sea to the east, across a flat to gently rolling terrain.
• The climate of the region is transitional-continental, and the vineyards lie at an altitude of approximately 200 metres above sea level.
• The total heat accumulation over the period when mean daily temperatures exceed 10 °C, from April to October, ranges from 3,700 to 4,100 degree-days Celsius, and mean annual precipitation totals between 550 and 600 mm.
• Soil types in the region include leached, typical, and carbonate smolnitsa (vertisol) soils, heavy sandy-clay and cinnamon forest soils, both heavy sandy-clay and slightly clayey in texture.
• Stara Planina shields the region from cold air masses advancing from the north, while the proximity of the Strandzha mountain range together with the slight Mediterranean influence along the Tundzha river valley define the characteristic microclimate of the area.

• The authorised grape varieties for white wines are Chardonnay, Muscat Ottonel, and Tamyanka, and for red wines and rosé – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.
• The vineyards are trained using the Umbrella, Moser, or mid-trunk double-arm cordon systems, with mixed and spur pruning, a bud load of up to 54 buds per vine, and row spacing of 2.0 to 3.4 m.

• The red wines are intensely coloured, with a powerful fruit-forward nose, a full-bodied palate, and soft, fine tannins.
• The white wines are distinguished by an intense, rich, and persistent fruit aroma, a full-bodied and well-balanced palate, and impressive length.

• The climatic factors, combined with the heavy sandy-clay smolnitsa (vertisol) and cinnamon forest soils that are typical and predominant in the region, impart to the wines produced their characteristic sweetness, body, and extractive richness.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in Bulgaria

Sources

• National product specification (PDF) — iavv
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-BG-A1179
• Official trade body site — НЛВК — Национална лозаро-винарска камара