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Vintage Reports |
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| November 26th 2006 |
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| Bulgaria: Some fresh air |
by Elissaveta Velianova
After the notoriously poor harvests in 2004 and 2005, the much awaited 2006 vintage brought a breath of fresh air for Bulgarian winemakers. The Executive Agency on Vine and Wine forecasts that over 300,000 tonnes were harvested, a 23% increase over 2005. |
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Expectations are that both quantity and quality improvements will allow wineries to bring production back to the 2003 levels, when 1.5 million hectolitres of wine were made. Grape quality is good, but both growers and winemakers had originally expected an even better vintage.
Two heavy rainfalls in mid September and at the beginning of October affected quality. However, theses showers were followed by warm, sunny weather, which prolonged the growing season above the timelines typical for the country. While favourable weather conditions allowed the red grapes to reach 24 to 26 Brix, the white wines show a zesty freshness. The year was thus particularly suitable for the earlier ripening Merlot but, with a few exceptions, the result for Cabernet Sauvignon harvested later in the season was less homogenous. The improved quality has, however, in spite of the volume, kept the average prices above 2005 levels - and for the first time the demand for white varieties exceeded that for red. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Traminer fetched between 0,40 to 0,57 € a kilogramme, which is 20% above the 2005 prices. On the other hand, rapid growth in red grape plantings and the abundant harvest drove prices for Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc down to 0,23 €. Top quality red grapes, however, are still in high demand and their prices reached 0,61 €. Given the higher volume of new red vines planted the price gap between red and white varieties is expected to remain an issue for the coming years. |
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