Карнобат (Karnobat)

Bulgaria · PDO · Черноморски район

Styles

Natural factors

Transitional-continental climate with Black Sea influence; milder winters, long and warm autumns, and moderately warm summers.
Two local winds: the 'Gornyak' (afternoon, descending from higher to lower elevations, cooling the vineyards) and the 'Dolnyak' (morning, rising from lower to higher elevations, lifting the dew), which interact with marine breezes.
Flat to gently hilly relief, 170–350 m above sea level; Stara Planina blocks cold air masses from the north, and the Black Sea lies 50 km to the east.
Predominant soils: leached and typical cinnamon forest soils (medium to heavy sandy-clay texture) and humus-carbonate soils (light to medium sandy-clay texture).
The combination of cinnamon forest soils and humus-carbonate soils with the local microclimate promotes minerality in the white wines and freshness with ageing potential in the reds.

Human factors

Permitted varieties for red and rosé wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pamid, Syrah, Pinot noir, Mavrud, Cabernet Franc, Rubin.

Product characteristics

Aromatic white wines with dominant fruit aromas and pronounced minerality, imparted by the cinnamon forest and humus-carbonate soils.
Rosé with nuances of red forest fruits, earthy and smoky accents, a fresh and lively palate, a delicate structure, and a soft, fruity finish.

Terroir / wine link

The Black Sea, 50 km away, moderates winters and extends the autumn season, lending the red wines their ageing potential.
The marine breezes combined with the local 'Gornyak' and 'Dolnyak' winds keep summer temperatures moderate and contribute to the freshness of the wines.
The same soils account for the intense colour and spicy accents found in the red wines.
The microclimate imparts freshness to the red wines, underpinning their ageing potential.

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