🥃 Straldzha Muscat Rakia (Straldjanska Muscatova rakya)

Straldzha Muscat Rakia (Стралджанска мускатова ракия) is an EU-protected geographical indication for a Bulgarian wine spirit made from Muscat Ottonel and Tamyanka around Straldzha. The technical file calls it Bulgaria’s first aromatic Muscat wine spirit: it is aged in oak for six months to a year, the best batches for three years or longer; strength from 40% vol.

The zone covers 21 localities in six municipalities: Straldzha, Tundzha, Bolyarovo, Elhovo, Kameno and Aytos. This is the Tundzha-Straldzha subregion, reaching the northern slopes of Strandzha and Sakar, at an average altitude of 200 m. There are about 240.4 ha of Muscat Ottonel here, with an average yield of 949 kg per decare, and 40.4 ha of Tamyanka.

The grapes are picked by hand into containers of no more than 15 l and processed within 12–24 hours; the mash macerates for up to 48 hours. No sulphites are added, and the rule is: “Distil as soon as fermentation is over!” The wine is distilled to 65% vol. in Bulgarian K5 column stills handling 1,000 l of wine per hour and DK-1 stills handling 3,750 l. Only Strandzha oak is used for ageing: barrels of up to 1,000 l with staves 3–4 cm thick.

Production began in 1964, when a wine cellar opened in Straldzha. The 1982 industry standard allowed bottling only in 0.7 l bottles, the 1985 standard also in 0.5 l ones. Over 2007–2012, 720,056 l were made and sold. The name was approved by Order No. T-RD-27-24 of 27 November 2013.

Why it matters for you. The aroma of rose, geranium and fig comes from the grape variety, the vanilla from Strandzha oak. The drink may also be bottled outside Straldzha, so go by the GI name. WHO reminds us: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.