In the period from 14th June, 2012 till 17th June, 2012, Sofia (Bulgaria) will host for the first time a wine competition and festival which aim at putting centuries-long tradition of vine-growing and wine making in the Balkans in the spotlight. The competition will bring to one place wineries from all countries of the Balkans, so visitors will get opportunity to discover at one place all diversity and richness of Balkans vine-growing regions.

If we perceive the Balkans as one entity, with annual production of almost 1,8 million tons, then this region can be ranked 5th in the world, immediately after the big four: Italy, France, Spain and USA.

This festival and competition are also intended as the focal point where international wine experts, journalists and bloggers, distributors and importers, wine enthusiasts will meet wines of the Balkans.

The competition takes place in Grand Hotel Sofia in Sofia (Bulgaria) on 14th and 15th June, 2012. Afterwards, on 16th and 17th June, you will have an opportunity to taste wines which took part in competition, but also attend some lecture or Master Class workshop.

FESTIVAL PROGRAM

16th June, 2012

11.00h-11.15h Official opening

11.00h-19.00h Exhibition of wineries

10.30h-12.00h Master Class - Slovenia - a thread of regional and international varieties

12.30h-14.00h Master Class - An insight into fine wine purchasing habits in China and Hong Kong; what makes a fine wine brand successful in these markets and how the two markets are different

14.30h-16.00h Master Class - Vranec- Balkan grape variety, its potential & different variations in Macedonian wines

16.30h-18.00h Master Class - Faults in wine caused by H2S, TCA, volatile acidity, oxidation, heat damage

18.30h-19.30h Master Class - An outstanding selection of the great Serbian fine wines from the most famous regions

11.00h-12.00h Lecture  - Dealing with the big supermarket chain - how to negotiate

12.30h-13.30h Lecture -  How to enter and perform on the new market

14.00h-15.00h Lecture - Successful wine tourism - an inside approach

 

17th June, 2012

11.00h-19.00h Exhibition of wineries

10.30h-12.00h Master Class - Rising stars from the Balkans and beyond

12.30h-14.00h Master Class - Wines of Turkey - Treasures from the south

14.30h-16.00h Master Class - Best of Croatian wines - terroir and indigenous varieties

16.30h-18.00h Master Class - The present and future glory of the Greek vineyards

18.30h-20.00h Master Class - Divino and Bulgarian Wine Academy Special Awards

11.00h-12.00h Lecture - The importance of wine portfolio in the restaurant business

12.30h-13.30h Lecture - Wine blogging

14.00h-15.00h Lecture - The importance of packaging design in the wine industry for development of a successful wine brand

15.30h-16.30h Lecture - Wine diplomacy - building bridges through social media

17.00h-17.30h Lecture - Entering the US market - the playing field & rules of the game

The jury which will evaluate wines is composed of renowned wine experts, including Masters of Wine, and representatives of all Balkan countries whose wines take part in the competition. The Chairman of the jury is Constantinos Lazarakis from Greece, while Serbia is represented by our distinguished sommelier Stevan Rajta.

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