Soli Invicto, PDO Nova Zagora

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.

Cabernet-Merlot-Syrah

 blends incorporate some of the world's most popular red wine grape varieties, each of which are grown in almost every wine-producing country on earth. The Cabernet grapes (both Cabernet Sauvignon and, to a lesser extent, Cabernet Franc) are both classic blending partners for Merlot, whether individually or together. They are in fact the core ingredients of the traditional Bordeaux Blend. Less traditional, but increasingly...

Cabernet-Merlot-Syrah

 blends incorporate some of the world's most popular red wine grape varieties, each of which are grown in almost every wine-producing country on earth. The Cabernet grapes (both Cabernet Sauvignon and, to a lesser extent, Cabernet Franc) are both classic blending partners for Merlot, whether individually or together. They are in fact the core ingredients of the traditional Bordeaux Blend. Less traditional, but increasingly common, particularly in the New World, is to add a component of Syrah, or Shiraz, to the mix. Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah are all known for producing full-bodied, tannic styles of wine, so it is no surprise that a blend of these should have a similar style. Cabernet lends its structure and body, as well as classic varietal characters of green pepper and blackcurrant. Merlot adds a round, juicy mouthfeel, with Syrah giving the wines spicy, fruity overtones. While there are no hard and fast rules on the proportions used, the Bordeaux varieties tend to dominate, with Syrah used in much smaller quantities. This wine is decidedly New World in approach, but the blend has been adopted by various Old World producers over the past couple of decades. It has become very popular in Tuscany, where many Italian producers are making export-oriented interpretations of the wine. It is also seen in Spain and along the Mediterranean coast of France, despite not being a permitted blend in any major appellations. This change has come in response to market demands and goes against the grain of tradition; there is little or no precedent in any French wine region for blending Rhone Valley varieties such as Syrah with the Bordeaux varieties. The United States and Australia are leading the charge on this blend in the new world, making rich, ripe wines from Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah (or Shiraz as it is known down under). In the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale wine regions, Shiraz is often dominant, and the wines have more chocolate and mocha characteristics. In the U.S., the blend is found along the west coast, particularly in the Napa and Columbia Valleys of California and Washington respectively. Blends of Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah are made at various levels of quality, from drink-now styles to more concentrated examples that can be cellared for many years.