Red grapeSommo grape guide

Melnik

Melnik wine guide: what this red grape tastes like, where it comes from, the regions that grow it, and what to eat with it.

Colour
Red
Body
Medium-full
Origin
Bulgaria
Top region
Struma Valley
1
Key regions
3
Pairings
6
Synonyms

Melnik is a red grape variety, and it traces back to Thrace, Bulgaria.

Structurally it lands at medium-full body, medium-high tannin, medium acidity, dry and medium alcohol.

Look for tobacco, leather, exotic spices and coffee.

The regions that matter for it are Struma Valley.

In the vineyard it is marked by late ripening, generally vigorous vigour and a preference for stable autumn weather.

Watch for the synonyms: Broadleafed Melnick, Shiroka Melnishka Loza, Siroka Melniska and Early Melnick.

At the table it suits veal kidney in sherry (riñones al jerez), seared kangaroo fillet with blue cheese and slow-roasted pork shoulder.

The structure.

Body
Medium-full
Tannin
Medium-high
Acidity
Medium
Sweetness
Dry
Alcohol
Medium
Flavours
tobaccoleather
Aromas
exotic spicescoffee
Styles
dry red

Where it grows.

Food pairings.

01 veal kidney in sherry (riñones al Jerez)
02 seared kangaroo fillet with blue cheese
03 slow-roasted pork shoulder

Also labelled.

Broadleafed Melnick, Shiroka Melnishka Loza, Siroka Melniska, Early Melnick, Ranna Melnishka Loza, Melnishka Ranna.

Bottles to look for.

  • Excentric Incanto Melnik, Struma River Valley, Bulgaria
  • Libera Estate 'Hotovo' Melnik Blend, Struma Valley, Bulgaria
  • Libera Estate Rose, Struma Valley, Bulgaria
  • Logodaj Winery 'Nobile' Broad Leaved Melnik Vine Rose, Struma Valley, Bulgaria
  • Logodaj Winery 'Nobile' Melnik, Thrace Valley, Bulgaria
  • Logodaj Winery 'Shiroka Melnishka Loza', Struma Valley, Bulgaria
  • Logodaj Winery 'Sunny Hill' Melnik, Struma Valley, Bulgaria
  • Logodaj Winery Blanc de Noir Brut, Struma Valley, Bulgaria

Melnik: common questions

01.
What does Melnik taste like?
+
Melnik tastes of tobacco, leather, exotic spices and coffee. Structurally it lands at medium-full body, medium-high tannin, medium acidity, dry and medium alcohol.
02.
Where is Melnik from?
+
Melnik originates in Thrace, Bulgaria.
03.
Where is Melnik grown?
+
The key regions for Melnik are Struma Valley.
04.
What food pairs with Melnik?
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Pour it with veal kidney in sherry (riñones al jerez), seared kangaroo fillet with blue cheese and slow-roasted pork shoulder.
05.
What else is Melnik called?
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Melnik is also labelled Broadleafed Melnick, Shiroka Melnishka Loza, Siroka Melniska, Early Melnick and Ranna Melnishka Loza, plus one more.

Keep going: the A to Z grape index, or the wine regions of Bulgaria.

Grapes in the app

Scan a Melnik,
see what is in your glass.

Sommo reads the label, names the grape and the region, and files the tasting note where you will find it again.