Cabernet Sauvignon Elenovo, PDO Nova Zagora

Cabernet Sauvignon

 is probably the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever...

Cabernet Sauvignon

 is probably the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood. DNA profiling carried out in California in 1997 confirmed that Cabernet Sauvignon is the product of a natural genetic crossing between key Bordeaux grape varieties Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. Most wine authorities agree that this crossing happened only within the past few centuries, making the variety's global fame and dominance all the more impressive. There are two key reasons for Cabernet Sauvignon's rise to dominance. The most simple and primordial of these is that its vines are highly adaptable to different soil types and climates; it is grown at latitudes as disparate as 50°N (Okanagan in Canada) and 20°S (northern Argentina), and in soils as different as the Pessac-Leognan gravels and the iron-rich terra rossa of Coonawarra. Secondary to this, but just as important, is that despite the diversity of terroirs in which the vine is grown, Cabernet Sauvignon wines retain an inimitable "Cab" character, nuanced with hints of provenance in the best-made examples. There is just a single reason, however, for the durability of the variety's fame and that is simple economics; the familiarity and marketability of the Cabernet Sauvignon name has an irresistible lure to wine companies looking for a reliable return on their investment. As a late-flowering and late-ripening variety, Cabernet Sauvignon grapes mature slowly. This can also work for or against wine quality; in a cold season or climate there is a risk of the grapes failing to ripen fully, while in most other conditions the steady rate of progress offers producers a wider choice of harvest dates.

Located in the region of Thrace, in the village of Elenovo around 15 km from the town of Nova Zagora, the Edoardo Miroglio wine cellar is surrounded by vineyards, a natural lake and green fields, creating ideal conditions for vinegrowing. Vines and wine were the main source of trade in the area as long ago as in the days of the ancient Thracians, with recipes being handed down through the generations from father to son.

The origins of winegrowing in...

Located in the region of Thrace, in the village of Elenovo around 15 km from the town of Nova Zagora, the Edoardo Miroglio wine cellar is surrounded by vineyards, a natural lake and green fields, creating ideal conditions for vinegrowing. Vines and wine were the main source of trade in the area as long ago as in the days of the ancient Thracians, with recipes being handed down through the generations from father to son.

The origins of winegrowing in Thrace (modern day Bulgaria) date back so far in time that its roots are mythological: indeed, the cult of Dionysus (Bacchus for the Romans), the god of wine, ecstasy and freedom of the senses, originated in Thrace and was subsequently adopted in the Greek pantheon. Wine was therefore a central element in the life of Thracians, a sort of divine drink through which they could reach ecstasy and communicate with the Divine. They drank wine before going into war, to dance, to find inspiration, and to enjoy freedom.

Elenovo – a fertile soil

The vineyards are located on the slope heading down to the village of Elenovo. The physical and chemical composition of the soil, the soil layers, the microclimate that is created between the hilly area located more than 400 meters above the sea level on Saint Ilia hill, give the area all necessary for the production of high-quality wines. The planting of the vineyards began in 2002, choosing as the first variety the...

Elenovo – a fertile soil

The vineyards are located on the slope heading down to the village of Elenovo. The physical and chemical composition of the soil, the soil layers, the microclimate that is created between the hilly area located more than 400 meters above the sea level on Saint Ilia hill, give the area all necessary for the production of high-quality wines. The planting of the vineyards began in 2002, choosing as the first variety the Pinot Nero. Over the next two years follow the other international varieties such as Chardonnay, Traminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, Merlot, Sirah, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. In the spring of 2005 Edoardo Miroglio winery expanded with the Bulgarian varieties Mavrud and Melnik. In 2008, the range of local varieties further expands with Bouquet and Rubin. The average spring and autumn temperatures are low and are characterized by big temperature differences. The average quantity of rainfall favors the cultivation of the vineyards. Summers are warm, but not muggy and with low humidity.