With just 10,000 hectares, the Struma Valley, named after the river of the same name, is Bulgaria's smallest wine growing region. It is located in the deep southwest of the country and borders Greece. If the Struma Valley is still rather mountainous on the Bulgarian side, it becomes more hilly on the Greek side. Because of the Mediterranean Sea, which is not far away, the climate is Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers and very mild winters. That is why red wine dominates here with a share of 75% in the list of grape varieties used. Of particular importance here is the Melnik grape variety, which takes its name from the small town of the same name, which is a protected monument. Otherwise, internationalisation is also progressing here with the planting of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Due to the warm climate, the wines are quite powerful and full-bodied, and some products already reach a fairly high level. In favourable years, high-quality sweet wines can also be produced.
