site.btaGolden Grape Wine Festival Opens in Melnik

The Golden Grape Festival has started in Melnik, one of Bulgaria's top wine-making areas. Mummers from nearby Petrich opened the event on Saturday with a parade marked by the sound of traditional bells and the magic of colourful costumes. For the 13th year in a row, the two-day festival has brought together admirers of wine and Bulgarian folklore.

A wine competition was held on the opening day, involving 98 wineries from the region. Visitors had a chance to taste and enjoy local brands, and the best products received awards in the categories "broad-leaved Melnik vine" and "wine bouquet."

The Head of the European Commission Representation to Bulgaria, Yordanka Chobanova, the mayors of Sandanski, Petrich and Strumyani, and MPs Kostadin Stoikov and Georgi Georgiev were official guests at the ceremony.