🥃 Pomorie Grape Rakia (Pomoriyska grozdova rakya)

Pomorie Grape Rakia (Поморийска гроздова ракия) is an EU-protected geographical indication for a Bulgarian wine spirit from Pomorie Municipality on the southern Black Sea coast. The spirit matures for at least six months in oak barrels; the technical file describes an aroma of white flowers and acacia, a taste of vanilla and caramel, and a strength from 40% vol.

The grapes are grown in Pomorie and the surrounding villages, in Nesebar and in Obzor, in the south of the Eastern, Black Sea wine region. The average annual temperature here is 12.9 °C, there are 3,196 ha of bearing vines, and chernozem soils predominate. Six white varieties are permitted, among them Muscat Ottonel and Misket Cherven, plus four red ones: Pamid, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mavrud.

A distinctive feature of this GI is its two distillation methods. Part of the wine is distilled in Bulgarian K-5, NM-72 and DK-2 column stills, part twice in copper alembics from the French firm Prilo: the first distillation yields a raw spirit of 25–32% vol., the second separates heads, heart and tails. The spirit is distilled to 55–57% vol. and aged in 250–620 l barrels of Strandzha oak with staves at least 4 cm thick, often in old brandy casks.

Production began in 1983 under industry standard No. 1875448-83. Order No. T-RD-27-25 of the Minister of Economy approved the name on 27 November 2013; in the EU register the date of protection is 21 June 2005. Batches are checked by the tasting commission of the regional chamber in Burgas.

Why it matters for you. The colour of Pomorie rakia comes from oak or caramel, and the specification sets the minimum ageing at six months. A genuine GI is identified by the full name on the label; it may also be bottled outside Pomorie. WHO reminds us: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.