For the seventh time, Sofia will be the Capital of the Balkan Wines

For more than seven years, the Balkans International Wine Competition and Festival (BIWC) has become a common name for the prestige and popularity of the wines from the region.

Every year, the interests of both the international jury, which this year is very strong with 4 Masters of Wine and 1 Master Sommelier, as well as numerous importers, traders, media and wine lovers, are growing. About 700 samples from 11 countries are expected and this is a record so far. For the first time in the jury there will be a real nobleman, Count John Umberto Salvi MW, one of the best Bordeaux wine specialists in the world.

Since this year, the BIWC regulation has been changed and the wines will be evalued by the 100 point system (so far the evaluation has been carried out on the 20 – point system). One medal has been added: DOUBLE GOLD as a great marketing tool for communication and as a bridge between gold medalists and Trophy winners in different categories.

It is a tradition for the Balkan Wine Festival to come out with a very strong program. This year,  Balkan Winelovers will have the opportunity to visit 5 master classes led by the international jury.

Bordeaux  v/s Bulgarian Bordeaux Blends – another 1976 tasting?, lecturer: Count John Salvi MW

One of the most exciting master classes in which the only nobleman among  the Masters of Wine will match top wines from Bordeaux with top Bulgarian Bordeaux blends.

Turkey through the glass of Isa Bal MS, lecturer: Isa Ball MS

For the first time in the BIWC jury a Master Sommelier will take part.  Mr. Isa Bal MS, won the title of “Best Sommelier of Europe” in the competition held in Sofia in 2008. Even then he dedicated his title to the Balkan wines.

Summer wine from Attica: Savatiano – the new Greek trend, lecturer: Konstantinos Lazarakis MW, Chairman of BIWC

A little known internationally as variety, the Savatiano brings the breath of the Greek sea and the freshness of the sea waves. This master class will be presented by the chairman of the international jury of BIWC 2018.

From Elegant To Robust – Meet Serbian Prokupac, lecturer: Igor Lukovic

Igor Lukovic is one of the most famous names in Serbian wine scene. This year he will present the best wines from the local red variety Prokupac. 

9 ½ Pinot Noirs from Bulgaria, lecturer: Marin Atanasov

The best Pinot Noirs from Bulgaria ill be presented by the sommelier and brand ambassador of the Bulgarian wines in the United States, Marin Atanassov.

For another year the Balkan Wine Festival supports the international movement #winelover-s against cancer, which numbers 25,000 people from all over the world. Famous women from Bulgaria will wear the specialy made t-shirt and will spread their message in the social media. During the Balkan Wine Festival everyone, who is touched by this cause  can buy such a t-shirt, and can help rasing the awareness for preventing the breast cancer.

Information about the event and all the news around it can be found on the BIWC website: https://www.balkanswine.eu/en/

Contact: Neli Ruseva – BIWC Communications Manager, pr@balkanswine.eu, +359 886 555 865

Galina Niforou – BIWC Director, niforou@balkanswine.eu, +359 885 731 331

Tickets: tickets@balkanswine.eu, +359 889 361 231