After following Yas on Instagram for some time and sincerely enjoying her informative and fun videos on Bulgarian grape varieties, we met almost accidentally, through a common friend.
The sympathy was immediate (at least on our end =)) and we started thinking of ways to collaborate since we have so many shared goals. Our visions of how to best work with and promote Bulgarian wine also largely overlap.
We start with Yasemin’s wine selection lists but we have more things up our sleeves for the near future. Stay tuned!
A as in Autumn
I still remember the first time I tasted Gamza from Bononia. It wasn’t a big, heavy red. It was light, delicate, full of cherries, with that earthy undertone that made me stop and think: this grape has a story to tell. That moment was when I truly fell in love with Bulgarian wine.
Ever since, I’ve been exploring the vineyards, the forgotten varieties, and the people behind them. And autumn, with its colors, spices, and warmth, feels like the perfect season to share some of these discoveries with you.
Autumn is not only about slowing down. It is also about color: red, orange, yellow and my selection reflects exactly that. From the delicate charm of Gamza to the boldness of Mavrud, from an orange Muscat to a nutty white, these wines carry the flavors, textures, and moods of the season. And like a playlist, each one has its own soundtrack.
So here is my Autumn Wine Selection: six bottles that capture the character of Bulgaria’s grapes and regions, each with their own story. And because wine is always about mood, I’ve paired each with songs which you can conveniently find on Two Bottles of Wine’s Playlist.
Villa Katina Orange Muscat — Thracian Lowlands
Orange wine sits somewhere between white and red: fermented with skins, it takes on texture and tannin. Villa Katina’s Muscat is a perfect example: a tiny-production orange wine (only a few hundred bottles) made with 35 days of skin contact and aged in acacia barrels. Aromatic like flowers fading in late autumn, layered with dried fruit, orange peel, and gentle tea-like grip. It belongs to autumn’s in-between, when summer brightness gives way to winter depth.
Songs to sip with:
- “Mess Is Mine” – Vance Joy
- “Stolen Dance” – Milky Chance
- “El Condor Pasa (If I Could)” – Simon & Garfunkel
Nostalgic and smoky, a glass that lingers like a song on repeat.
Borovitza “Bel Muj” — Northwest Bulgaria
Borovitza has always done things their own way, and Bel Muj is proof. This is no “light” white: it has weight, oak, nutty and sesame-like notes, almost oxidative in character aged for nearly two years in oak, made from a blend of grapes (including Rikatsiteli, Muscat, Chardonnay). It makes you think of roasted chestnuts, buttery mushrooms, bread fresh from the oven. A white with the soul of autumn.
Songs to sip it with:
- “My Funny Valentine” – Chet Baker
- “Back to Friends” – Sombr
- “Everytime” – Britney Spears
Timeless, warm, and glowing softly like the wine itself.
Bononia Gamza — Danubian Plain
Gamza is one of the oldest grapes of the Balkans and the one that first stole my heart. Bononia’s vineyards near Vidin carry its history forward. Light in color, delicate in structure, with red cherry and a touch of spice, Gamza is the grape that made me fall in love with Bulgarian wine. It’s elegant, earthy, and perfect for quiet evenings.
Songs to sip with:
- “Killer Queen” – Queen
- “Dreams” – Fleetwood Mac
- “As It Was” – Harry Styles
Lively but tender!
Bratanov Merlot & Syrah „Quel Mariage!“ Wild Fermented – Sakar
Down in the South Sakar hills, Bratanov’s family winery has been blending character and creativity for years, and Quel Mariage is one of their most exciting results. A marriage of Syrah and Merlot, this wine is both powerful and smooth. The Syrah gives pepper, herbs, and structure, while the Merlot adds plush fruit, roundness, and charm. The result is a bottle that feels deep and juicy, yet welcoming — it makes you want to linger over dinner a little longer. I remember opening it one autumn night and thinking, this is the kind of red that can turn a simple meal into a celebration. Blackberries, plums, a hint of spice, and a silky finish — it’s bold but balanced, the kind of wine you want with roasted lamb, hearty pastas, or simply with friends around the table.
Songs to sip with:
- “Radioactive” – Imagine Dragons
- “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” – Panic! At The Disco
- “Believer (Tiësto Remix)” – American Authors, Tiësto
Raw, powerful, and uncompromising, a Syrah with no mask.
Orbelia Melnik 55 — Struma Valley
Melnik is a family of grapes native to the Struma Valley, where the vineyards are warmed by the sun and cooled by the nearby mountains. Nothing says autumn wine more than Melnik. It’s fruity but still carries texture and the solemnity of autumn that quiet gravity the season brings. Melnik 55, a crossing of Broadleaf Melnik and French grapes, has become Bulgaria’s modern classic. Silky, with dark berries, tobacco, and spice, it feels rustic yet elegant at the same time.
Songs to sip with:
- “Stubborn Love” – The Lumineers
- “What The Water Gave Me” – Florence + The Machine
- “Sparks” by Coldplay
Melancholic yet glowing, with quiet autumn warmth.
Georgiev & Milkov Mavrud — Thracian Lowlands
Mavrud is the bold heart of Bulgarian wine, with a long history in the region. It’s deep, structured, and powerful, full of blackberry, plum, and spice. Georgiev & Milkov give it a modern expression, bringing freshness alongside the classic intensity. That’s why I believe this Mavrud is especially a great autumn red rather than a winter one. For me, Mavrud belongs to long autumn evenings with stews, game, or aged cheeses.
Songs to sip with:
- “Like a Rolling Stone” – Bob Dylan
- “Life on Mars?” – David Bowie
- “Demons” – Imagine Dragons
Dark, unforgettable, just like Bulgaria’s most legendary red.
So, that’s it! You can order all of these great wines from Two Bottles of Wine, and the real joy will comes when you then open a bottle (or two) and share them with the people you love. Wine is not just something to drink: it is a way to connect, to turn an ordinary evening into a story worth remembering. Put these bottles on the table with food, music, and friends, and they will taste even better.
And this is just the beginning. Next time, I’ll take you on another journey!
Cheers,
Yasemin 🥂
Sip. Savour. Celebrate… autumn!
