Mavrud

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Mavrud is a traditional Bulgarian red grape variety. It is one of the most popular in our country. It is highly valued and is famous as one of the oldest local varieties for wine production. It is grown in certain areas of the country. It grows in the South Bulgarian wine region - found in Plovdiv, Parvomay, Stara Zagora, Chirpan and Asenovgrad.

Like any culture, Mavrud has distinctive features. It is characterized by a large five-part, green leaf, which with the onset of the autumn months turns burgundy. Mavrud has a long handle, painted light green. The flowers of the vine are bisexual, and the bunch is large and cone-shaped. The grain is modest in size. It is painted blue to red. The meat is juicy, with a balanced taste. It is covered with leather with a wax coating.

Mavrud is a variety that is not very easy to grow. Prefers deep alluvial soils rich in moisture. It requires a special temperature during its growing season. It ripens in autumn and more precisely in the first half of October, but this process requires certain conditions. The vines of this species grow quickly. They are characterized by a good birth rate. As a culture, Mavrud has both positive features and disadvantages.

In general, this variety is not susceptible to gray rot, but is susceptible to fungal infections. Therefore, in the presence of such a problem, it is necessary to take comprehensive action against the damage. Another disadvantage of Mavrud is that it does not tolerate low temperatures. If the values fall below -16 degrees Celsius, the variety tolerates it severely and freezes. If the autumn is cold, the harvest easily becomes unfit for wine production.

History of Mavrud

Mavrud is a variety with a rich history. There are many legends about the spread of the culture and the production of wine. One of them tells of a widow known as Elijah. She lived while Khan Krum ruled. The woman had only one child. She raised her boy with the grapes from the vine that descended in front of her house. Elijah's son became a big and healthy man.

It is unclear how he once entered into a duel with the ruler's favorite lion and stunned him. The khan wondered how the boy had managed to become so strong. The young man then explained that he owed his strength to the grapes his mother had fed him all these years. The boy's name was Mavrud, and therefore the khan ordered the remarkable vine to be called so from that day on.

According to another legend Mavrud he was a boy, he was from the wars of Khan Tervel. When it was known that he would soon enter the battle, his mother gave him a vessel of wine. She told him to drink a little of it every time he felt threatened. Thus Mavrud always managed to show himself as a fearless warrior. This impressed Khan Tervel and he inquired about the young man. The boy told about the wine and so the inn named the drink after him.

Characteristics of Mavrud

The sugar content of the grapes is from 17 to about 22 percent. The wine obtained from Mavrud has a ruby red color. Lovers of quality drinks like it because of its soft taste. The grape drink is aged in special containers. It has tannins and acids. It has a specific scent in which hints of blackberry or mulberry are felt.

The highest quality wines made from this traditional grape variety are characterized by a dense, harmonious taste, which has been refined so far with the oak barrels in which the elixir has matured. Mavrud wines are red table and dessert. During aging, their qualities are enriched. The optimal aging period is about 3 years. In the end, the consumer receives a red drink, which is distinguished by the required amount of tannins and high alcohol content.

Serving Mavrud

The wine produced by Mavrud is a real delight for the senses. However, when served properly, it becomes an irresistible temptation. When serving Mavrud, the grape drink should be neither too cold nor too hot. Try to stick to a temperature between 15 and 17 degrees Celsius.

Serve the wine in the traditional glass wine glasses with a stool, which perfectly reveal the wonderful color of the drink. Do not fill the cup to the top, but only halfway. Take a few sips of it and allow your palate to feel the greatness of the elixir.

Mavrud is characterized by high density and a superb bouquet of fruits. Sometimes spices are also felt. Try serving the wine with a suitable appetizer. If you are a lover of sweet temptations, you will immerse yourself in a real sea of sensations, combining Mavrud with chocolate desserts. If you try to avoid high-calorie sweets, you can combine wine with fruit. Of course, you can combine the product in another way.

If you are a fan of small game, you can combine it with roasted pheasant or partridge. Red roast meats are also a suitable addition to Mavrud. If you are one of those people whose table does not have meat, you can choose another successful appetizer for wine. Stop at some raw cheese. It's all a matter of personal choice. However, a good company remains a mandatory condition.