With approximately 30,000 hectares, the Black Sea region is one of Bulgaria's largest wine growing areas. It extends in the northeast of the country from the coastal strip around the city of Varna to about 100 kilometres inland to the west. Often referred to as the Eastern Region, it is perhaps the best known area of the country, as the Black Sea coast is also popular with western tourists. The Black Sea has a very moderating effect on the climate, winters are mild and pass without frost, summers are fairly warm. Therefore, the Black Sea region is also a centre of white wine cultivation. Precipitation is also moderate, ranging from 500 to 640 mm, of which less than 100 mm falls in summer during the ripening period of the vines. Therefore, the white wines are often of a fresh, elegant nature, and under these climatic conditions even the red misket variety is used for the production of white wines, that is: vinified white. Many white wines are also vinified in the semi-dry range. Chardonnays are now often aged in barriques according to international standards. Since considerable efforts have also been made here in recent years in the direction of further quality improvement, this region may have a bright future ahead of it.
