Soli Pinot Noir 2016 – CSPC 801594
I’ve asked many winemakers, what their personal favourite red grape is, and more often than not, they reply Pinot Noir. Most winemakers are quick to point out that it’s called the heartbreak grape for good reason. It’s fickle both in the vineyard and in the winery BUT when everything lines up it can be glorious. Pinot Noir is one of the oldest grapes on the planet. It originated in Burgundy, France and is now widely planted all over the world.
The Soli Pinot Noir is from Bulgaria where they’ve made wine for more than 5,000 years! Winemaking in Bulgaria dates back to the ancient Thracians. Bulgaria is at the same latitude and has as much sunshine as central Italy, southern France and northern Spain. It borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south and the Black Sea to the east. Winters tend to be mild and dry, and summers are hot but not too humid.
In 2017, Bulgaria ranked 10th in Europe and 21st in the world as far as wine production. To put it in perspective, Canada ranks 35th as far as world wine production. Back in the 1970s, Bulgaria ranked #4 in the world! The reason it was so high in the 1970s and 80s, is because Bulgarian wine was dictated by a state-owned monopoly that sold 90% of production to the Soviet Union. With the collapse of the iron curtain, the Russian market dried up. In the 1990s, the state-owned wineries were privatized, and international investors entered into the market. Since 2007 when Bulgaria joined the EU, the level of entrepreneurial spirit has taken off. We are reaping the rewards now with wineries like Edoardo Miroglio.
The Soli Pinot Noir is one of the wines from the Edoardo Miroglio winery. Edoardo Miroglio is a wealthy Italian textile manufacturer who started the winery in 2002 and has invested over 22 million Euros in this winery. Since inception, he has enlisted the expertise of Italian oenologist Marco Monchiero who oversees production at the winery. Marco Monchiero was particularly instrumental in finding the ideal sites to plant Pinot Noir.
Tasting Note
Colour – cherry red
Nose – classical pinot noir earthy red fruit aromas – cherries, strawberries, hint of spice and earthiness.
Palate – medium bodied, with flavours of soft cherry strawberry and a hint of herbs. The tannins are nicely integrated. The thing I like best about this wine is how it finishes. There is a nice lift on the finish which makes you want to have more. If I didn’t know better, I’d think this wine came from Burgundy or Oregon.
Comment – They also make a dynamite dry Rosé. It’s a blend of 3 grapes – Melnik, Pinot Noir and Syrah. If you see it, buy it.
How do they say cheers in Bulgarian? Nazdrave (NUZ-drav). It’s also VERY important to make eye contact. It’s a sign of respect and connection.