Page update: 01 January 2000

Shiroka (Wide) Melnishka Loza

This is an old local variety that has been cultivated since ancient times in the region of Melnik, which is where its name comes from. It is cultivated only in Bulgaria - a limited region in the Blagoevgrad District, around the town of Sandanski, Melnik, Petrich and the villages of Hursovo, Marikostinovo, Kapatovo, Vinogrady, etc.

The bunch is medium in size to big (16.9/10.2 cm), semi-compact, winged, often double winged. The grape is small (16/15 mm), oval, with a thick, tough, bluish-black skin. The grapes are juicy and with a pleasant sour taste.

Shiroka melnishka loza is a late ripening variety. It acquires its valuable qualities only in the Melnik micro region, distinguished for its high temperature sum during vegetation, an early spring, a hot summer, a long, warm autumn and a comparatively mild and warm winter. The vintage usually starts in the first half of October. When pruning is done, the vines should be loaded moderately and knots with two eyes should be left. If the year is bad, 1-2 tendrils with 5-6 eyes should be left, too.

This variety is not prone to sprouting aments and is best grafted onto rootstock Shasla x Berlandieri 41 B. It is not resisitant to low winter temperaturesIt has a satisfactory good sugar level - 20-24% and enough titratable acids - 6-8 g/dm3.

The young wines are distinguished for their dense cherry colour, their intense flavour dominated by cherry, enough density and a typical piquant tartness. They develop well in contact with oak wood. When the wines produced from this variety mature, they have a rich, complex flavour in which one could distinguish interesting nuances of tobacco and leather; the wine taste preserves its freshness and mild tartness.