A dense red from Bulgaria’s far southwest, made from the Broad-leaved Melnik vine around Melnik, the country’s smallest town, and aged in cellars cut into the sandstone cliffs behind it. The cliffs hold a steady cool temperature all year without any machinery.
Wine is a product of a vineyard and a licensed cellar, not a kitchen procedure, and this one is defined by sandstone cellars that cannot be reproduced.
What goes into it
- Shiroka Melnishka Loza grapes
- yeast
- oak barrels
How it is made
The grapes are fermented on their skins for colour and tannin, then pressed and moved into barrels held in cellars tunnelled into the sandstone. The rock keeps the cellars near constant in temperature and humidity, which is the whole reason the town became a wine town.
How long it takes: one vintage a year, then years of cellar ageing
How it is eaten
With lamb, game and mature cheese.
History
Made from the broad-leaved Shiroka Melnishka Loza grape around Melnik, Bulgaria’s smallest town, and aged in sandstone cellars cut into cliffs.
Frequently asked questions
What is Melnik wine?
Melnik wine is a wine & spirit from Bulgaria: dense red from the far southwest, aged in cliff-cut cellars. Made from the broad-leaved Shiroka Melnishka Loza grape around Melnik, Bulgaria’s smallest town, and aged in sandstone cellars cut into cliffs.
How is Melnik wine made?
The grapes are fermented on their skins for colour and tannin, then pressed and moved into barrels held in cellars tunnelled into the sandstone. The rock keeps the cellars near constant in temperature and humidity, which is the whole reason the town became a wine town. It takes one vintage a year, then years of cellar ageing.
Can I make Melnik wine at home?
No, and the atlas gives no method for it. Wine is a product of a vineyard and a licensed cellar, not a kitchen procedure, and this one is defined by sandstone cellars that cannot be reproduced.
What goes into Melnik wine?
Shiroka Melnishka Loza grapes, yeast, oak barrels.
How is Melnik wine eaten?
With lamb, game and mature cheese.
