Враца (Vratsa)

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The vineyards fall within the climatic zone of the sub-Danubian lowlands, part of the northern Bulgarian moderately continental climatic region.
• The terrain in the vineyard area is predominantly flat to gently rolling, with elevations ranging from 100 to 190 m above sea level.
• The total heat summation for the period with mean daily temperatures above 10 ºC, from April to October, ranges from 3,600 to 3,900 ºC, and the mean daily temperature of the warmest month ranges from 22.2 to 24.2 ºC.
• The mean annual precipitation in the area ranges from 520 to 580 mm.
• The soil types are represented mainly by calcareous chernozems, weakly to moderately eroded and lightly to moderately sandy-clayey, and alluvial-deluvial soils, of shallow depth and sandy-clayey texture.

• The grape varieties authorised for the production of wine under the PDO Vratsa are Misket Vrachanski for white wines and Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for red wines.
• The vine-training systems employed are Umbrella, Moser, and mid-trunk double-arm cordon, with pruning carried out as a mixed and short system, with a load of up to 54 buds per vine.

• The white wine from the Misket Vrachanski variety possesses a delicate muscat bouquet with subtle nuances of rose, clove, and cinnamon, while the palate displays a pleasant softness and a long finish.
• The red wines combine aromas of small forest fruits and spices, while on the palate notes of vanilla and hints of chocolate can be detected.

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-A0955
• Official trade body site — НЛВК — Национална лозаро-винарска камара