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Showing posts from 2010

Merry Christmas!

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VINI Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 - Best Buy at the Wine Enthusiast

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Order 8503 from catalog bulgarianwine.com

Order 8503 from catalog bulgarianwine Payment Visa Rev-Share URL: N/A Yahoo! Network Order: No Order XID # x3497069634 IP Address ............ Comments: We don't know any other way to thank the people of Bulgaria for their very recent kindness to our people in Israel than to support Bulgaria's economy. While parts of Israel was in flames, we were thrilled by the kindness of the Bulgarian people. Thank you so much for offering these wines so that I could find them on the Internet. Maxine & Steve Lebowitz, San Pedro CA Name Code Qty Each Options ----------------------------------------------------------- Targovishte Traminer 2009 7-TR 2 9.99 Gewurtztraminer Targovishte Muscat 2009 7-MS 2 8.49 Targovishte Riesling 2009 7-RS 2 7.99 Subtotal 52.94 Shipping 12.00 ...

Presenting VINI in New York, the Big Apple

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Mrs. Florence Fabricant, very influential dining columnist from the New York Times tasting VINI and discussing the quality of Bulgarian wines. She visited Bulgaria in the summer and had a wine tasting in Pomorie. In her opinion Bulgarian wines were far better and modern then the Rumanian and Moldovan wines she tasted on her trip. I was taking pictures from the balcony on 20th floor in a high rise building in Roosevelt Island, and the reflection from the glass building across the river split into a giant V, which I took as a good sign for the wine show I was to attend that day and introduce my V(ini) to New York. With my middle school friend, Mr. Z at the United Nations , he works there and was so kind to treat me with a VIP tour and lunch at the Delegates lounge.

Presenting VINI in Atlanta, GA in September

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I had the chance to participate in the Wine, Spirits and Inland Seafood Holiday Show in the Gift Mart of America. Atlanta was beautiful and warm in September, while in California we had the coldest summer. I loved walking around the Peachtree St.

Tasting of Bulgarian wines at Woodlands Market in Kentfield, CA

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Friday's tasting of Bulgarian wines at Woodlands Market in Kentfield, CA - one of the most expensive markets in California. Wines featured at the - Targovishte Traminer 2009 and Targovishte Chardonnay 2009 and our VINI Merlot 2008 and Sauvignon Blanc 2009- all very well received from the first pour I was in the middle of very knowledgeable crowd

Wine Advocate Reviews – current issue eRobertParker.com, #190 Aug 2010

Wine Advocate Reviews – current issue eRobertParker.com, #190 Aug 2010 This lineup from Targovishte, and its sister winery, Vini, some drinking values that consumers should find attractive as it is hard to play in this price category these days. As a bonus, they are generally relatively low in alcohol, usually around 12%. What don’t they do? First, I think all of them will tend to drink best on the young and fresh side, however long they hold, which is not a major criticism in this price range. Second, they do sometimes have some typicity issues—that is, they do not always remind me much of the most common styles for which the grapes are best known. Once past that, though, they hold up quite nicely as wines. Vintage Wine Name Rating Maturity Price 2009 Targovishte Sauvignon Blanc 86 Mature $9 The 2009 SAUVIGNON BLANC from Targovishte has more intensity and solidity than its sister Sauv Blanc revie...

Global Gourmet: Biggest Bargain Wines of 2010 So Far - 3 Bulgarian wines on the list

Biggest Bargain Wines of 2010 So Far Best Buy Muscat: 1st – Muscat Ottonel, Targovishte Winery, (Bulgarian Master Vintners), Black Sea Coastal Region, Bulgaria, 2007, $9 Best Buy Sauvignon Blanc: 1st - Targovishte Winery, (Bulgarian Master Vintners), Black Sea Coastal Region, Bulgaria, 2007 $8 Best Buy Cabernet Sauvignon: 1st - Vini (Bulgarian Master Vintners), Thracian Valley, Bulgaria, 2008, $8 Nazdrave!

VINI Merlot 2008 was selected by The Tasting Panel Publisher Meredith May as one of her favorite wines of the month of August - 90 points.

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Bulgarian Wine Tasting at Traverso's - Santa Rosa

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Today's tasting was well visited and favorites were VINI Sauvignon Blanc and Targovishte Riesling and Traminer

Santa Rosa: New Releases From Bulgaria - 2009 Dry Traminer, Muscat And Riesling, VINI

Sonoma, California - Santa Rosa: New Releases From Bulgaria - 2009 Dry Traminer, Muscat And Riesling, VINI

VINI Pinot Noir 2009 is coming soon

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Best Wines of 2010 So Far - VINI Sauvignon Blanc makes the list

Best Wines of 2010 So Far by Fred McMillin We sip a lot of wines in our Fort Mason (S.F. City College) classes. In alphabetical order, here are the best we have tested so far this year. That is, the best Chardonnay, best Cabernet Sauvignon, etc. Whites, Pinks, Sparklers, and Desserts Best Chardonnay: Under $20: Steele Wines, California, 2008, $18 Over $20: Grgich Hills Estate, Napa Valley, 2007, $42 Best Dessert: Under $20: Woodbridge (Robert Mondavi), California, 2008, $8 Over $20: Deaver Vineyards, Amador County, NV, $26 Best Gewurtztraminer: Under $20: Daniel Gehrs, Monterey, 2008, $19 Best Pink: Under $20: Pedroncelli Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley, 2008, $10 Best Pinot Gris: $12 Maximum: Tiamo, Veneto, Italy, 2008, $12 $12 Minimum: King Estate, Oregon, 2008, $16 Best Riesling: Under $10: Bogle Vineyards, California, 2008, $9 Over $10: Shooting Star (Steele Wines), Lake County, 2008, $14 Best Sauvignon Blanc: Under $10: VINI, Bulgarian Master Vintners, Bulgaria, 2008, $8 Over $10: Ken...

Happy July 4th - Sonoma Vintage 2010

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Great fireworks too! Good day, many thanks, I missed you.

Venus stunned by Pironkova

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Yes, Tsvetana, you certainly made news at Wimbledon on Tuesday, even if you weren't sure you could.

Stacking it - That's the way you do it........

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Stacking it - That's the way you do it........VINI and Targovishte wines at grocery store in California

Bulgarian Wines Tasting in Sonoma

Host: Bulgarian Master Vintners Location: Sonoma Valley Wine Shack 535 Napa Rd. Sonoma, CA 95476 US When: Wednesday, June 9, 6:00PM Phone: 707-322-0037 I will pour Dry Muscat, Traminer, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay from Black Sea Coastal Region and some Summer Reds from Thracian Valley. This will be the second time Sonoma Valley Wine Shack presenting Bulgarian wines. Please join us for some exotic wine and fun.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Memorial weekend

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Feast I drank at every vine. The last was like the first. I came upon no wine So wonderful as thirst. I gnawed at every root. I ate of every plant. I came upon no fruit So wonderful as want. Feed the grape and bean To the vintner and monger: I will lie down lean With my thirst and my hunger. Feast - by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Spit Bucket

10 years of trying

After 10 years of trying, I finally sold a case of Bulgarian wine to Wine Impressions, one of the top wine stores in San Francisco - they liked the entire 2009 vintage from Targovishte and took only the Riesling for now. Petko Mateev should be very proud, as the Riesling is his and my favorite from Targovishte.

2009 VINI Sauvignon Blanc now available in the US

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The 2008 vintage was reviewed by the Beverage Testing Institute in Chicago: Very pale straw hue. Subdued, slightly earthy nose. A crisp entry leads a medium-bodied palate with subtle citrus and lemongrass flavors. Shows a touch of sweetness. Crisp, melony finish. "2009 WVWC Best Value Bulgarian White" WORLD WINE CHAMPIONSHIPS AWARD: Silver Medal , RATING: 85 points (Highly Recommended)

Targovishte Winery 2009 vintage released in the US

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We just released in the US the 2009 vintage of Targovishte Winery - DRY Riesling, Traminer, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay from the Black Sea Coastal region in Bulgaria. Enjoy and Nazdrave!

The influence of the volcano under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in Iceland on the making of VINI 2009 vintage in Sliven, Southern Bulgaria

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Volcanic ash drifting across the Atlantic forced the cancellation of flights in Britain and disrupted air traffic across northern Europe, stranding thousands of passengers. This unexpected event is jeopardizing the making of the 2009 vintage VINI wines in Sliven, Thracian Valley, in Southern Bulgaria. Our consultant winemaker Miro from Trentadue Winery in Sonoma County, Northern California has a scheduled flight this Sunday night via Munich and Lufthansa notified us of flight cancelations for the next couple of days. Maybe we should call it the Volcanic vintage, once it is made whenever that is. I am praying for a safe flight for Miro and all the other passengers.

WSWA 2010 in Las Vegas, Caesars Palace

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Four days of work in Las Vegas and 3 Sliver Medals for VINI Merlot 2008, Targovishte Muscat 2007 and Peshterska Matured Grappa/Rakia, Bronze Medal for VINI Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 - a Medal per day, I'll take this bet all the time. Suzanna Siebert - our National Sales Manager modeling in 150 year old original Bulgarian folk costume from Sofia region

Finally a Gold Medal for VINI Merlot 2008

GOLD MEDAL • 91 • Vini 2008 Merlot, Thracian Valley $7.99. Best Buy. Deep ruby color. Aromas of toasty black raspberry pie follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium body with very good balance and light elegant depth. Finishes with a drying, powdery tannin fade. A very nice table wine. (tasted on Mar-18-2010) SILVER MEDAL • 88 • Vini 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Thracian Valley $7.99. Best Buy. Aromas of toasty blackberry pie crust and toffee follow through on a round, juicy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with good depth and balance. Finishes with roasted nut, roasted pepper, and delicate spice nuances and soft tannins. (tasted on Mar-18-2010) Tastings.com

Golden Rhyton Awards at Vinaria 2010

GOLDEN RHYTON AWARDS 2010 White Varietal and Coupage Wines, 2009 Vintage Chardonnay, batch I, 2009, produced by BLACK SEA GOLD AD White Varietal and Coupage Wines from Previous Vintages GP Golden Rhythm Chardonnay 2008, produced by BLACK SEA GOLD AD Red Varietal and Red Coupage Wines from Previous Vintages Sinti Reserve Coupage 2008, produced by KOS SANDANSKI OOD White Wines Available in the Retail Shops Nobile Chardonnay 2007, produced by LOGODAJ WINERY OOD Red Wines Available in the Retail Shops Question Mark, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot, gold label 2007, produced by KATARZYNA ESTATE EOOD

Mary J. Blige, U2 - One

Turtle Hill Wine - Struma Wine Company 2009

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The Turtle Hill estate is a new Bulgarian wine producer. Our mission is to showcase our quality wines from Bulgaria’s Struma River valley to the world. The region’s unique climate and soil have been known since Roman times. The area benefits from long, hot and dry summers helping the grapes to ripen in near perfect conditions. This area (including famous wine producing town of Melnik) has historically delivered quality wines to connoisseurs all over the world, one of the most famous being Winston Churchill who favoured wine from the region. Turtle Hill has the ambition to resurrect that popularity, producing wines with excellent quality and character. The grapes are grown in our own vineyards in an EU eco-friendly area of Natura 2000. The name Turtle Hill is inspired by just one of the many local inhabitants roaming freely on the sun drenched banks of the river in an area that locals describe as ‘land that has been kissed by God”. The Winemaking process is the responsibility of the Au...

Bulgaria Doubled Export of Wine for the USA

The export of Bulgarian wines, canned food, dried fruit and vegetables for the USA doubled, it emerged at the meeting between Bulgaria Minister of Agriculture, Miroslav Naydenov and the US Ambassador to Bulgaria, James Warlick. The diplomat pointed out he intended to study the traditions and good practices of wine-making in Bulgaria. H.E. Warlick and Naydenov expressed confidence that the two countries will maintain cooperation in food safety, the training of veterinary experts and the university exchange programmes for professors and young researchers. http://paper.standartnews.com/en/article.php?d=2010-02-12&article=3217 9

Trends in '10 - Trading down

Beverage Companies Fiscal Fitness: Trends in '10 - Trading down By Bill Anderson, CEO of First Beverage Capital in Los Angeles, CA Trading down will likely increase as American consumers continue to move away from most premium, luxury brands. The steep decline is on-premise sales due to this consumer preference also will likely continue. The opportunity for brands in this environment is to provide meaningful value – and thereby accelerate a gap with consumers. Brands with an authentic story are standing out because as consumes may want to trade down, they still want a brand with some integrity, nobility, history and character. As a recent report on 2010 Wine Sales from Silicon Valley Bank said, “The wine industry now finds a humbled consumer still wanting luxury products, but products made by real people, and not just expensive brands without a soul. Each producer has to figure out new ways to touch every one of its consumers in an authentic manner.” The associates of Bend, OR, bra...

Bulgarian Master Vintners joined the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America

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Bulgarian Master Vintners joined the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, as an Associate Member to help better their business and show their support for the wine and spirits industry in the US. Please visit us at the WSWA’s 67th Annual Convention & Exposition April 6-8, 2010 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

The Corrs & Ron Wood - Ruby Tuesday (Live in Dublin 2002)

California wine shipments fall in US

January 28, 2010 By Richard Woodard California wine shipments in the US fell for the first time in 16 years in 2009 as consumers turned to cheaper bulk imported wines, according to new figures. Last year was 'brutal' for the California wine industry, analyst Jon Fredrikson told the annual Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, adding that many wineries had endured their worst year ever. Bulk wine imports soared 87% to 25m cases in 2009, sending total imported wines up to 104m cases and giving them a 32% share of the US market – an all-time high. But most bulk wines were imported by major US wine companies and distributors, such as Gallo and Constellation, Fredrikson said. The total US wine market grew by 2.1% to 323m cases, but shipments from California edged down 1.6% to 236m cases – their first decline since 1993. However, there were some signs of improved trends towards the end of the year, said Fredrikson, president of Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates.

Bulgarian-born pianist and film composer Mario Grigorov wrote the score for 2009 film Precious

Bulgarian-born pianist and film composer Mario Grigorov’s life has always been about music. Grigorov spent most of his life studying a range of musical forms including jazz, classical and world, before composing the score for Lee Daniels’ 2009 film Precious, based on the novel Push by Sapphire (Knopf, 1996). This marks Grigorov’s third collaboration with Daniels; the two also collaborated on Tennessee (2008)and Shadowboxer (2005). Precious, the 2009 New York Film Festival centerpiece and current Lee Daniels sensation, is the story of the ultimate outsider, her struggle to survive and will to overcome. As someone with an acute sense of what it’s like not to belong, Grigorov found that the film resonated with him almost immediately. A speaker of five languages, he lived in four countries and under three types of government before the age of 18: communist, Islamic and democratic. “I don’t speak a single language without an accent,” says Grigorov. The son of a concert pianist and trumpete...

Tacama Winery, in Peru was a good find

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Tacama Vineyard has an area of about 200 hectares (494 acres) and is located in the Valley of Ica, a fertile oasis surrounded by desert. It is situated 300 kilometers from Lima the capital of Perú, and 50 kilometers from the coast, it is 400 meters above sea level. Tacama uses both French technology and receives advice from French experts. Tacama has won several awards in international shows. International Experts have classified Tacama's wines as being of worldclass quality. Professor Max Rives, emeritus Director of the French Agriculture Research Institute, says about the Tacama vineyard: “This region is suitable for producing wines under exceptional conditions … thanks to the characteristics of its climate and soil”. “This allows wines of a characteristic, inalterable type, to be obtained with a quality compared only to the products of the best wine producing countries in the world”, he adds.

Backpacker Fashions in Machu Picchu, Peru

Hristo Vitchev is a modern jazz guitarist...

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25 January, 2010 at Yoshi's @ 8 pm. Oakland, CA Hristo Vitchev is a modern jazz guitarist and composer from Sofia, Bulgaria. Now residing in the San Francisco Bay Area, Hristo leads his modern (ECM) jazz quartet which features Brazilian (Grammy nominated) pianist Weber Iago, drummer extraordinaire Joe De Rose, and the completely amazing bassist Dan Robbins. The Hristo Vitchev Quartet’s debut album "Song for Messambria" received outstanding reviews by the international jazz community and was selected as one of the six best jazz albums of this year by E-Jazz News. As jazz critic Edward Blanco describes: “Vitchev is the newest guitarist to enter the national jazz scene and does so with a stunner of a recording in “Song For Messambria,” one of the finest debut albums I've had the pleasure of appraising this year.” On January 25th the Hristo Vitchev Quartet will present their completely unique sonic signature featuring compositions from the critically acclaimed album “Song...

Zahariev Cooperage

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Mr. Zahariev, the owner of this cooperage in Bulgaria said: I inherited the barrel handicraft from my grandfather and from my father. I strive to keep high quality in my work. My Main principle is: “Fewer products, but competitive to the home and international trade”. During the last few years the interest towards us has been increasing. We have gone too deep in this handicraft and we are going on straightforwardly ahead. Cooperage, the art of barrel making, is an ancient skill. With the advances in every facet of culture, it is surprising to learn the actual barrel making process has changed very little. To achieve the highest standards of quality, the time intensive work must still be performed by the hands of a skilled cooper.

Happy New Year with Patricia Petibon