Influx of Bulgarians and Romanians - always look on the bright side of life

EASTERN EUROPEAN WINES
Sadly, I am of an age, to recall Bull’s Blood, a famous Hungarian wine, much loved during the early 1970s by the cheap and cheerful brigade. This is unfortunately no longer the case, where a bottle will now require you to stump up something in the region of £11. Amid the recent furore over the fear of an influx of Bulgarians and Romanians into the UK this week, as Monty Python would say, 'Always look on the bright side of life'....especially where wine is concerned. 
 
Not previously known for producing wines of any great quality, both Romania and Bulgaria, along with other Eastern European countries, have made every effort to up their game in the last few years. There has been something of a shift away from using their indigenous grape varieties such as Mavrud and Rubin, mostly unheard of over here, and often unpronounceable. However, with a continuing interest in new discoveries, wine lovers are beginning to explore with more open minds. With an eye to the Western European market, as their ties to Russia begin to loosen a little, canny Eastern European winemakers have moved towards significant plantings of old familiar favourites, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, often mixing old and new varieties into acceptable blends, more suited to our palates. 
 
Whilst the quality of most Bulgarian and Romanian wines have yet to match up to the finest on offer from Spain, Italy or France, there is much to be said for those of us trying to eke out our hard earned cash a little further, in experimenting with their wines; both countries are of course now popular destinations for second home buyers. 
 
Good for quaffing with a moderate degree of gay abandon, even the best of these won’t break the bank, and if you are looking for something a little different, they may just be the ticket. Available at most major supermarkets, or online.

BULGARIA
I read with interest that in the 1990s Bulgaria’s Cabernet Sauvignon was Sainsbury’s best selling wine, and then it all went downhill, but only for a while. Try these for size.

Domaine Boyar, Deer Point, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012 - £6.75
Discovery Series, Sofia, Merlot, 2012 - £6.99
Domaine Boyar, Peach Garden Chardonnay, Thracian Valley 2012 - £6.99,
Eniro, Bessa Valley, Thracian Valley Merlot/Caberent Sauvignon 2008 - £12
Edoardo Miroglio, Thracian Valley, Pinot Noir 2009 - £13.95
Castra Rubra, Cabernet Sauvignon, E. Thrace, Merlot, Cabernet Franc 2009 - £28.60



ROMANIA
As Europe’s fifth largest wine producer, there are a lot of vineyards in Romania, and EU funding has helped go boost quality. Wines tend to be lighter that Bulgarian wines.

Cramele Recas Selene Feteasc, Neagr, 2012 - £12.
Dulce range, including Imbratisare, Claritate, Noua Vieti, NV - £10
Paris Street, Sebes, Pinot Grigio, 2012 - £7.49
La Catina Demisec, Tamaioasa, 2012 - £7.49
Prince Stirbey, Romaneasca Sec, Tamaioasa, 2012 - £9.95 
 
Linda Piggott-Vijeh, Service Matters - Somerset's only accredited wine tutor with 100% rating