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Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Bulgarian Wine Labeling: What You Need to Know When Buying a Wine

Your trusted guide for authentic Bulgarian wine label details - understand Premium Selection and Special Reserve, and what all that means for the wine

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Bulgarian Wines

Buying Bulgarian wine can be an exciting journey, but decoding the labels? Well, that’s like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube after a glass or two! Understanding wine origin, production methods, aging, and the subsequent classification and labeling of the bottle is no easy task. Yet, mastering this will enhance your wine adventure. Bulgarian wine labels must include specific information to help you make informed choices, ensuring your wine journey is as smooth as a fine Merlot.

Let’s start with the appearance of the wine bottle. Every wine bottle in Bulgaria has two labels: the face label and the back label. These labels are essential to provide comprehensive details about the wine’s nature, quality, and origin. The information on a wine label is categorized into mandatory and optional data. Mandatory data must be placed in one visual field, either on the face or back labels.

Mandatory and Optional Information

Bulgarian wine labels must have specific mandatory indications. A wine label must state the wine’s region of origin, the country of production, the producer, the bottler, and the trader. Additionally, it must include the wine category, alcohol content, and sugar content for sparkling wines. The label should also display the nominal volume, the sulfite content, the production lot number, and the importer’s name, if applicable. Wine labeling in the European Union (EU) has undergone significant changes with the introduction of the new regulation. As of 8 December 2023, all bottles of wine sold in the EU, regardless of country of origin, must include nutritional information and a list of wine’s ingredients. To learn more about this new regulation, click here. Optional information on wine labels includes the harvest year, grape variety, sugar content (except for sparkling wines where it is mandatory), traditional names used for wines of origin, production method, consumption recommendations, winemaker’s signature, awards, history of the wine or producer, and the brand.

Enough about the wine regulations; let’s dive into the characteristics and specifics of the wines themselves.

Designations According to Grape Variety

The name of a grape variety or its synonyms can only be included on the wine label if the variety is classified and approved. In Bulgaria, if a specific grape variety is mentioned on the label, it constitutes at least 85% of the wine’s composition and defines its character. The names of two grape varieties can be listed if the wine is made from those varieties. Wine made from three or more grape varieties (three or more) cannot be labeled using one or all the names of those varieties.

For white wine, the designation “Blanc de Blanc” on the label indicates the wine is made from white grape varieties, while “Blanc de Noire” means it is made from red varieties.

Wine Origin – Geographical Indications

Geographical Indications (GI) play a crucial when choosing Bulgarian wine. Wines with a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) or Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) must meet strict requirements. For example, a PGI wine must originate from specific regions like the Danubian Plain or Thracian Lowland.

Designations of Bulgarian wines like PDO/ЗНП, PGI/ЗГУ, GNP, GKNP, and regional wines are linked to the wine category. Wines with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO, ЗНП) are at the top. These are produced in small areas under strict rules – for example, PDO Stambolovo wines. Following them are wines with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI/ЗГУ), produced in larger areas with more lenient regulations, for example, PGI Thracian Plain. Another category, “varietal wines,” does not have a designated origin but is controlled for the grape variety used in wine preparation.

Learn more about the essentials of Bulgarian wine origin and labeling in the article Essentials of Bulgarian Wine Origin and Labeling and What is Wine Appellation? for a deeper dive into wine appellations.

Wine Variety and Harvest Year

Only wines with proven origin (PGI or PDO) can use this critical indication for consumers. Wines that cannot prove the origin of the raw material and the region cannot label the variety or harvest year. The exception is “varietal wines” under variety control.

Traditional Names and Designations

These names relate to origin, production methods, aging, etc. The Bulgarian traditional name for origin is “wine with guaranteed and controlled designation” for wines in the highest category (PDO) and “regional wine” for wines with protected geographical indications (PGI).

According to the Production, Aging, and Quality Standards

Wine labels display a year, indicating the vintage or harvest year. This vintage year signifies when the grapes were harvested. The highest quality grapes are used for vintage wines, receiving the utmost care. Vintage wines come from the same batch, ensuring a consistent or similar taste across bottles. Climatic factors during the year significantly impact the wine’s character. Hence, different vintages from the same vineyard can vary significantly in taste and quality.

  • Premium – Indicates the wine is made from a single grape variety, representing the highest quality from the entire harvest, and the quantity produced is no more than 1/10 of the total harvest. In Bulgarian, it is “Премиум“.
  • Reserve – This refers to a single-variety wine that has aged for at least one year, starting in November of the harvest year, before being marketed. In Bulgarian, it is “Резерва“.
  • Premium Reserve – This term is used when the wine is made from the best harvest batch and aged for at least one year. It is released into the market only after the Premium batch has been exhausted. In Bulgarian, it is “Примиум Резерва“.
Bulgarian Wine According to the Production, Age, Aging, Quality, and Technology Standards, v.1., .2024
Bulgarian Wine According to the Production, Age, Aging, Quality, and Technology Standards, v.1., 2024

According to Technology and Age

Additional traditional names such as Barrique, Premium Oak, First-fill New Oak, Special Reserve, Special Selection, Collectable, and Rosenthaler can be used when labeling quality wines produced in a specific PGI or PDO region.

  • Barrique (Barrel Fermented) – This designation indicates that the wine’s alcoholic fermentation occurred in a barrique-type oak barrel. In Bulgarian, it is “Барик“.
  • Premium Oak or First-fill New Oak – Indicates that the wine matured in a new oak barrel with a capacity of up to 500 liters. In Bulgarian, it is “Първо зареждане в дъбова бъчва“.
  • Special Reserve – Indicates that the wine is made from a single grape variety or a blend (Cuvée) and has aged for at least one (1) year after the established aging period. In Bulgarian, it is “Специална Резерва“.
  • Special Selection – This is used if the wine, made from a single variety or a blend (Cuvée), has aged for at least two (2) years after the established aging period. In Bulgarian, it is “Специална Селекция“.
  • Collectible – This label is used if the wine meets the Special Reserve conditions and has aged in bottles for at least one year after the Special Reserve batch is exhausted, with the quantity not exceeding half of the initial Special Reserve volume. In Bulgarian, it is “Колекционно“.
  • Rosenthaler – This designation can be used for red wine made from recommended grape varieties with a sugar content of at least 22% (weight percent). The young wine is separated from the solid phase at a minimum alcohol content of 11%, and its final character is formed by adding grape or concentrated grape no later than 30 days before shipment. In Bulgarian, it is “Розенталер“.

Designations for New or Young Wines

In Bulgaria, some wine-makers can indicate whether the wine is new or vintage with “New” on the label. In Bulgarian language – “Ново“. This guarantees that the wine is made entirely from grapes harvested in one year and bottled by the end of that harvest year. These wines can be sold with the “New” designation until March 1 of the following year. After March 1st, the wine cannot be labeled or presented as “New”. According to the law, the remaining stocks must be relabeled by March 31 of the respective year.

Designations for Wine Production Location

When the label indicates a specific micro-region, estate, chateau, farm, monastery, fortress, hotel, or winery, or phrases like “Grapes grown by hand by” and other markers suggesting a location, the wine must be produced entirely from grapes sourced from that specific location.

Batch Labeling

Another element found on wine labels is batch identification. This is represented by the Latin letter “L” (standing for Lot), followed by numbers and/or letters. These codes include the serial number of the produced item, determined by the manufacturer, and encode the date, month, and year of bottling.

According to Sugar Content

The residual sugar content in wine determines its level of sweetness. Based on this content, still wines are categorized as dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet, and sweet.

  • Dry wines contain up to 4 g/l of sugar. Bulgarian – “Сухо вино“.
  • Semi-dry wines have sugar content ranging from 4 to 12 g/l. Bulgarian – “Полу-сухо вино“.
  • Semi-sweet wines range from 12 to 45 g/l of sugar. Bulgarian – “Полу-сладко вино“.
  • Sweet wines have more than 45 g/l of sugar. Bulgarian – “Сладко вино“.
Bulgarian Wines According to Sugar Content, v.1., 2024
Bulgarian Wines According to Sugar Content, v.1., 2024

Bulgarian sparkling and effervescent wines are classified based on their residual sugar content as follows:

  • Brut Nature (Brut Natural or Brut Zéro): less than 2-3 g/l. Bulgarian – “Брут натур“.
  • Extra Brut: up to 6 g/l. Bulgarian – “Екстра брут“.
  • Brut: under 15 g/l. Bulgarian – “Брут“.
  • Extra Dry (Extra Sec): between 12 and 20 g/l. Bulgarian – “Екстра сухо“.
  • Dry (Sec, Secco, or Trocken): between 17 and 35 g/l. Bulgarian – “Сухо“.
  • Semi-dry (Demi-sec, Riche, Halbtrocken, Semi-Dulce, or Abbocato): between 33 and 50 g/l. Bulgarian – “Полу-сухо“.
  • Sweet (Doux, Dolce, or Dulce): over 50 g/l. Bulgarian – “Сладко“.

Additional Tips

In Bulgaria, mandatory information is in Bulgarian. However, you might find additional languages for exporting wines.

Quality Indicators

Bulgarian wine labels also include quality indicators. These range from “table wine” to “quality wine” produced in specific regions (PGI or PDO indication wines only). Some wines may also have traditional names like “noble sweet wine”. Check the bottle for any awards or medals. These can indicate high-quality wines recognized internationally.

Bulgarian Table and Quality Wine - Commonalities and Differences, v.1., 2024
Bulgarian Table and Quality Wine – Commonalities and Differences, v.1., 2024

Alcohol Content

Bulgarian wine labels express the alcohol content in volume percentages. By law, wine must have between 9% and 15% alcohol.

Sulphite Content

All wines contain some sulfites. Labels must indicate this to inform those sensitive to sulfur dioxide. Organic wines often have lower sulfite levels.

For more tips on Bulgarian wines, visit The Rich World of Bulgarian Wines.

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