I love learning about new grapes. Today, the grape is Mavrud from Bulgaria. Please join me on this exploration.
About Mavrud
According to bulwine, “Mavrud is an old red grape variety cultivated in Bulgaria since ancient times. The birthplace of Mavrud is the area around today’s city of Plovdiv in the Western Thrace wine region, part of the Thacian Valley. The name Mavrud is derived from the Greek word ‘mavro’, which means black. This is probably because the skin of the Mavrud grape is bluish-black.” That Useful Wine Site tells us that the ancient grape may be as old as 50 centuries.
The site goes on to say that “Mavrud is considered to be an excellent grape, and is slowly starting to become better known in the West (as is its Bulgarian stablemate, Melnik). Mavrud wines are big, dark, tannic and acidic; they are thoroughly age-worthy, and are usually barrel-aged in oak, though by report unoaked renditions are also quite successful; oak-aged wines reputedly acquire overtones of chocolate and cacao. The aromas and flavors are typically of dark fruit: blackberrries, mulberries, and prunes are often cited. There are often also herb/spice qualities as well. The wine itself is medium- to full-bodied, sometimes said to be almost viscous.”
Mavrud is probably the most highly valued local grape variety. Foreign wine experts point to Mavrud as the local grape variety that is most likely to become internationally recognized in the near future. Apart from single variety wines, Mavrud is often used in cuvees where it leaves its distinct blueprint and provides for an interesting blend of flavors.
The Legend
Several sites I reviewed, including bulwine, talked about this wonderful legend.
In the early 9th century, the Bulgarian ruler Khan Krum issued laws forbidding the drinking of alcohol and ordered the uprooting of all vines in the country. This decree led to a scarcity of wine until a dramatic event changed the course of Bulgarian winemaking history.
Krum’s army was undefeatable and one young man in particular excelled in battles. Khan Krum decided to pay a visit to the mother of the brave young man to show her his respect about the way she had brought up her son. The powerful ruler showed his appreciation for the skills of the young boy and asked his mother how she raised such a strong, fearless and courageous son. The mother humbly replied: “Mighty Khan Krum, I need to confess something to you. Here in my backyard I kept a vine tree despite your orders. Every morning I was feeding my son with wine and bread and that is why he came out to be such a strong man.” Instead of punishing her, Khan Krum allowed her to keep the vine tree and named it after her son. Needless to say, her son’s name was Mavrud. He also ordered the re-plantation of vineyards across the region.
Have you tried Mavrud? What did you think?
