site.btaBulgaria Ranks 10th in Europe, 25th in World for Wine Production - Sophie Pallas of International Wine Organisation

Bulgaria ranks tenth in Europe and 25th in the world for wine production, said here on Friday Sophie Pallas, head of International Relations at the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV). She was among the official guests for the opening of the 12th Wine and Spirits Fest Burgas. The three-day event, organized by Expo Team, brings together over 40 Bulgarian and foreign wine and spirits producers at Burgas' International Congress Centre. 

The festival is held under the auspices of OIV, which marks its 100th anniversary this year. Over 350 Bulgarian and foreign wines and spirits will be presented within the event.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Deyan Stratev read an address by caretaker Minister Georgi Tahov. "This event gives Bulgaria the opportunity to express its support for the organisation. From as early as Antiquity, wine has been produced on the territory of our country, and the traditions have been preserved to this day. To date, the areas with vines in the country amounts to 60,000 hectares. There are 362 winegrowers, with an upward trend," the address reads.

According to Tahov's data, Bulgaria exports wine to 57 countries, the biggest quantities going to Western and Central European countries. Bulgarian wines are sold in countries like China and Japan. The vine and wine sector is among the ones supported under the Strategic Plan for Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas until 2027.

Among the official guests of the festival's opening were also Prof Vittorino Novello, Vice-President of the OIV Viticulture Commisssion, National Vine and Wine Chamber Management Board head Yordan Chorbadzhiyski, Executive Agency on Vine and Wine Executive Director Krassimir Koev, and Burgas Mayor Dimitar Nikolov.

After the official opening, wine producers from this year's edition of Wine and Spirits Fest Burgas received awards.

The Executive Agency on Vine and Wine, the National Vine and Wine Chamber, and the Union of Enologists in Bulgaria are partners of the event.