Wine

Since the time of the ancient Thracians, winemaking has played major role for the inhabitants of the Bulgarian lands. Thus, production of wine has a long history and there are various traditions connected with wine and grape growing. For example, 14th of February in Bulgaria is celebrated as the day of the wine. Bulgarians call it, the day of “Trifon Zarezan”.

In 2005, Bulgaria was divided in two main regions for production of local wines:The Danubian Plain  and  Thracian Lowland.

The Danubian Plain encompasses the south banks of the Danube and the central and western parts of the Danubian Plain. The climate of the area is temperate continental, has a hot summer and many sunny days a year. Typical styles are Muscat Ottonel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Aligote, Pamid and the local Gamza. In the US appelation also approved as "Danube River Plains" region.

The Black Sea region is where 30% of all wines are located. The region is characterized by long and mild autumns that are a favourable condition for the accumulation of sugars to make fine white wine(53% of all white wine varietals are concentrated in the region). Wine styles include Dimyat, Riesling, Muscat Ottonel, Ugni blanc, Sauvignon blanc, Traminer, and Gewurtztraminer. In the US appellation also approved as "Black Sea Coastal" region.

Rose Valley(Sub-Balkan) region is located south of the Balkan Mountains. It is divided into eastern and western subregion, with styles such as Muscatel, Riesling, Rkatsiteli, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot dominating. The region mostly produces dry and off-dry white wine and less red wine. The region includes the Sungulare Valley, famous for its wine from the Red Misket grape variety. In the US appellation also approved as "Valley of the Roses" region.

Thracian Lowland. The temperate continental climate in the area and the favourable distribution of precipitation are good premises for the developed red wine growing in the lowland of Upper Thrace. The region includes the central part of the lowland, as well as parts of the Sakar Mountain. Mavrud, a famous local wine, as well as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Muscatel and Pamid are grown. The Balkan Mountains serve to block the cold winds blowing from the plains of Russia, and the region to the south of the Balkans, the valley drained by the Maritsa River, has a Mediterranean climate, with mild, rainy winters and warm, dry summers. In the US appellation also approved as "Thracian Valley" region.

The Struma River Valley region includes the southwestern parts of Bulgaria. The area is small size but is climatically very distinct and characteristic, owing to the strong Mediterranean influence from the south. The local style Shiroka Melnishka loza, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are cultivated.