Which Bulgarian Wine And Beer Is Best?

It’s not widely recognized that Bulgaria produces world class wine. They fail to hit the price points for exporting quality wine.

But fear not, when in Bulgaria you will be spoilt for choice.

Tip: Chardonnay and Muscat (Muscadet) seem to be the best white wines (check out Menada’s Trinity white wine).

The top 20 wines for the Bulgarian Wine of the Year 2008 were (in alphabetical order): Those in bold I have tried, and like a lot!

Chateau de Val Cuvee Trophy 2006 (Chateau de Val)
Encore 2007 (Katarzyna Estate)
Enira Reserva 2006 (Bessa Valley)
Levent Grand Selection chardonnay 2007 (VK Rousse)
Levent Grand Selection 2006 (VK Rousse)
Maxxima Private Reserva 2003 (Maxxima Cellars)
Minkov Brothers Cuvee 2007 (Sis Industries)
Nobile Rubin 2006 (Logodaj)
Question Mark 2007 (Katarzyna Estate)
Roto 2006 (Terra Tangra)
Rubaiyat chardonnay 2006 (Vinex Preslav)
Santa Sarah BIN41 merlot 2007 (Santa Sarah)
Santa Sarah Privat 2006 (Santa Sarah)
Santa Sarah Snow Wine 2005 (Santa Sarah)
Solitaire Elenovo merlot 2006 (Domaine Boyar)
Terra Tangra Cuvee 2006 (Terra Tangra)
Terra Tangra Grand Reserva 2006 (Terra Tangra)
Uniqato Rubin 2006 (Damianitza) Via Diagonalis 2007 (Kastra Rubra)
Vinissimo American Barrel 2006 (Rachev & Son).

For 2009, try Maxxima and No Man’s Land is consistently excellent. It’s affordable and sold in Bansko supermarkets.

For every day wine, Telish and Mezeek in a box with the equivalent to four bottles is perfect for apartment ski holiday red wine drinking in Metro, they both cost just 17 lev (€8.50 approx). That’s €2.25 per botthle. Stunning value for a wine of this quality

Beer

Shumensko (begins with a "W" in Cyrillic), Zagorka, Pirinsko, Tuborg, Kamenitsa are my favourites in that order.

Do try the dark "Stolichno" beer for a good strong flavour.

Get more like this. register for latest February Bansko Blog Guide. Get ready for new site.

Enter you photos and videos in the competition http://www.flickr.com/photos/banskoblog/ .

Win a T shirt!

Self Catering in Bansko

Sometimes the best nights are spent at home in your Bansko apartment with the company of family and friends. So you decide to cook... but then of course you have the task of shopping for the ingredients. So here goes, the exciting guide to supermarkets:

There are several solutions to food shopping. The first, and cheapest way, is to ask your transfer driver to stop at Billa supermarket along Bulgaria Boulevard in Sofia, its along one of the main routes out of the city to the south about 9km from Sofia airport. A large Metro along blvd Tzarigradsko Shosse is good for a big shop, about 3km from airport. 

A detour into Blagoevgrad, Metro again, could also be a plan - especially as a day trip. The next and most popular option is to go to the supermarket as you enter Bansko on the left hand side before the traffic lights. This has most things and is perfectly adequate. If you dont have a hire car, and you wish to go there to stock up, its best to order a taxi - about 10 lev (£4) return journey.

You may also want to visit Razlog on a Monday - market day. Good butchers, fruit and vegetables etc await at very low prices. With no car there are also many small supermarkets down Pirin street and just off the main square. Just be careful as some prices have been known to be inflated. On Sunday there is the Bansko market worth checking out - but remember Razlog will be cheaper.

Whatever you decide for a night in, be sure to try the excellent yoghurt which is great with local honey and preserves and the "white cheese" you will see in packs and at the deli counter. Most wine is good, some of the rakiya (local brandy like grappa) is ok and sometimes not - buy the best and you will be ok. 

As for beer, locals like Pirinsko, but my favourites are Shumensko and Zagorka. With fewer additives in Bulgarian beer, or so local folklore goes, your head will be clear in the morning and you'll be ready to say "Nazdrave!" again the following evening.