Bulgarian Wines Receive 40 Awards in London
Business | May 23, 2008, Friday
Bulgarian wine cellars received 40 awards at the International Wine Fair, which was held in London. This is Bulgaria's best achievement at international wine exhibits and fairs in the last years.
Bulgarian wines were awarded with 6 silver, 14 bronze medals and with 20 honorary certificates.
Of course, when compared to the awards received by the world wine leaders such as France with its 700 medals, the number of the Bulgarian ones seems quite small. However, according to experts, the 20 medals are very important because they demonstrate that after years of decline, the Bulgarian wine industry can again become competitive on the world market.
In the 90's Great Britain was invaded by Bulgarian wines - over 20 million bottles were imported there just in 1999. Official data from the Ministry of Agriculture shows that currently this number is 10 times lower. Bulgarian wines in Great Britain have been replaced by the New World competitors - manufacturers from Chile, Argentina, South Africa.
The International Wine Fair is one of the most anticipated events each year among world wine producers. 180 000 bottles of red, white and rose wines have been sent to London from all over the world. The visitors, which included mostly wine merchants and tasters, could see over 1250 stands.
Bulgaria was represented by 20 companies and such overpowering competition makes the 40 Bulgarian awards even more significant.
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Author: CJB, 23 May 2008 14:38:03
Bulgarian Wines Receive 40 Awards in London
"the Bulgarian wine industry can again become compatible on the world market"
Surely you meant "competitive"?
I have noticed that BG wines are not as commonly available in the UK as they were until very recently. My local supermarket has stopped stocking a quite palatable BG Merlot, for example, but has acres of shelves of distinctly average Californian and Australian plonk.
I hope Bulgarian wine can regain a foothold in the UK market, these awards are a good start.
Author: Pollyanna, 23 May 2008 18:34:15
Bulgarian Wines Receive 40 Awards in London
good for you CJB, you at least have seen BG wine. I live in Scotland and here people don't have a clue where Bulgaria is, let alone stock wines of BG origin. Interestingly enough, I have seen Romanian wine in the spirits shops. The rakiya brand that is being advertised on BG TV is also nowhere to be found, unlike the claim in the ad that it is "already available in Scotland"....
Author: CJB, 23 May 2008 19:15:52
Bulgarian Wines Receive 40 Awards in London
I too have quarters in Scotland. Oddbins, Victoria Wine etc. usually have one or two decent Bulgarian wines in stock. Sometimes Thresher too. Sainsbury's has generic Bulgarian Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, neither is particularly distinguished, both are cheap though. The Merlot is serviceable if left to breathe for a while. Co-op/Scotmid used to stock a couple of reasonable Bulgarian wines, no longer. As for other supermarkets, no idea.
Author: CJB, 23 May 2008 21:45:59
Bulgarian Wines Receive 40 Awards in London
I just realised from your profile that we are both posting to this forum from the same city! Assuming you're currently in Scotland, that is. Strange coincidence...
Anyway back to the wine: I find that Bulgarian and Romanian wines are often grouped together in the shops, usually next to Spanish or Portuguese wines, or under "Other Europe"...
Author: Pollyanna, 24 May 2008 21:16:34
Bulgarian Wines Receive 40 Awards in London
strange coincidence indeed!