More than 800 Wines Compete for the Grand Trophy of the Balkans International Wine Competition and Festival
More than 800 wines from all 13 Balkan countries and Georgia have signed up for the competition program of the Balkans International Wine Competition and Festival which will take place in Sofia between 5 and 9 June in the special wine town right next to the National Palace of Culture (NPC). Organisers have already received requests for participation in 2020 even from countries like Australia, China and Japan. This was said at the official press conference before the opening of the forum.
The competition will be held on 5-7 June and among the members of the international jury are four Masters of Wine (MW), the most prestigious title for wine experts. The best Balkan wines will be awarded on 7 June during the gala dinner in Hotel Hilton where the so called Wine Oscars are traditionally given. The best wine from each country will be awarded, and among the winners the Grand Trophy holder will be selected.
“Usually everything around the competition goes smoothly and this year again we have a record number of participants, competing for the Grand Trophy. However, the most important part in the next several days is the wine fair. It will be the more difficult, but also the most enjoyable part – the wine fair at the open air will be much more vibrant and joyful than in the previous years”, said the chairman of the BIWCF jury Konstantinos Lazarakis, the first Master of Wine on the Balkans.
The wine fair visitors will have the opportunity to taste more than 1000 wines from 7 to 9 June, next to NPC. Among the guests there will importers and distributors from the USA, China, Scandinavia, Belgium, The Netherlands, et al. “This means that Sofia becomes more attractive destination for exhibitors and tourists as well. Traders are already using the festival for enriching their portfolio with interesting wines from local or international grape sorts, which are specific for the region”, said the Festival Director Galina Niforou.
More than 100 wineries in total have confirmed participation this year. Each of their wines can be tasted and bought on spot. There are master classes for the most passionate wine lovers. These need registration at www.balkanswine.eu/2019. Tickets at Eventim и EpayGO are still at promotional prices – 12 lv. for one day and 20 lv. for a three-day pass; master classes cost 50 lv.
“At first glance, this event is a small step, but when it is organised for the eighth time and every year the exhibitors’ number is increasing, this becomes contribution to the peace and good neighbouring on the Balkans”, said the chairman of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Tsvetan Simeonov – during the press conference. The Chamber is a partner of the Balkans International Wine Competition and Festival from its first edition.
“The huge success of the festival corresponds with the development of the wine sector in the region. I wish good luck to all participants and I’m sure that the best will get decorated with the Grand Trophy of the wine competition”, said Nina Filipova from the Executive Agency of Vine and Wine.
This year, the festival Sofia Restaurant Week also joins the partners of the Balkans International Wine Competition and Festival. “Our experience shows that there is very suitable ground for the development of city events of this kind and size. We aim to support the festival and really make it the biggest forum of its kind on the Balkans and to help enhancing its significance through the quality of food offered together with the wonderful wines”, said Nikolay Koev, organiser of Sofia Restaurant Week.
Since we can’t have Balkan festival without good music, Vivo Montana brass band and Stoyan Royanov Ya Ya and his jazz formation will join the event. The music during the three festival days will be selected by Olya Antonova, well known to wine fans with the raspberry wine “Trastena”.
“A wonderful wine weekend for the whole family is ahead!”, Galina Niforou is convinced. There will be a special kids corner in the special wine town where parents can leave their children above 3 years of age, while tasting the exhibitors’ wines. Pets are also welcome at the Balkans International Wine Competition and Festival 2019 – they will be provided with gourmet dog food.
The Balkans International Wine Competition And Festival 2019 is taking place with the support of Sofia Municipality and Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as with the media partnership of Стандарт, Exporter.bg, Hit-bg.com, WineBG.info, списание Твоят бизнес, ExpoWorld.bg, Момичетата от града, ApolloWine.com, The Wine Inside, Sommelier.bg, Agro TV, Novini.bg, Sportal, Woman.bg, Eating, Gardening & Living in Bulgaria, “Аз чета”, Sommelier.bg, Agro TV, Novini.bg, Manager.bg, Enosiasti, Fresh Cuts of Life, Enjoy Wine, Businessnews.bg, Explorerbg.bg, Maiko Mila,Tialoto.bg, Az-jenata.bg, Jenatadnes.com, Vino & Fino, In Food Veritas, АИДБ, Арт идея БГ, Winetours.bg, Oinohoos, vin2.ro, Exotic Wine Travel, vino.mk, hedonistmagazin.net, sofiaadventures.com et al.
You can download this material here and the photos from the press conference made by Bozhidar Markov here.
For more information contact:
Milena Tasheva
mila@bookmark.bg
+359 878 889 349