📍 Struma Valley

The Struma Valley is a wine region in south-western Bulgaria, in the valley of the Struma river near the Greek border, in Blagoevgrad Province. It is the warmest place in the country: the climate is close to Mediterranean, with hot dry summers and mild winters.

The main local grape is Shiroka Melnishka Loza (broad-leaved Melnik vine). It is a red variety grown almost only here. It makes dark, tannic, spicy wines that age well in barrels. Ruen (a Bulgarian variety) and the international Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are also used. Names within the valley include Melnik, Sandanski and Harsovo.

Melnik is the smallest town in Bulgaria, with sandstone rock pyramids and wine cellars hollowed out of the stone. Wine has been known here since ancient times, and the cellars in the rock stay cool in the hot months.

The Struma Valley is part of Bulgarian winemaking and is regarded as the home of the country's best reds. If you like full-bodied reds, start getting to know Bulgarian wine here. Melnik reds suit grilled meat, sausages and cheese, and are traditionally kept for years in the old cellars. The name Struma Valley on a label shows that the grapes grew in this very area, which makes it easy to look for similar wines.