THE WINE IS GENTLE, BUT RICH, TIGHT AND WITH A LONG AFTERTASTE

Origin: Danube plain
Vintage: 2023
Variety: Rondo 100%
Alcohol content: 13% vol
Date of harvest: 11.09.2023
Bottling day: 11.10.2024
Winemaker: Stoicho Stoev & Ivona Georgieva
Bottles produced: 4000

History
Rondo is a red grape variety used to make red and rosé wines. It was created in 1964 by Professor Willem Kraus in Czechoslovakia, by crossing the Severna Zarya and Saint Laurent varieties. Further development of the variety was carried out at the Geisenheim Institute by Dr. Helmut Becker.
On a larger scale, the variety was planted in the 1980s in Ireland. The variety received the official name Rondo only in 1997. Rondo is an early ripening variety, with high resistance against frost and diseases. Nowadays, it is widespread and known in many countries of Northern Europe (Denmark, Great Britain, Sweden, the Netherlands, etc.) Properly worked in the vineyard and followed up in the cellar, the variety produces dark coloured, aromatic and juicy red wines that have the potential to age in bottle. In 2003, a happy coincidence brought the variety to Bulgaria. The first (and currently only) vineyard with Rondo was planted in the region of the village of Boinitsa, Vidin by a true wine enthusiast – Val Markov. The vineyard is currently under the control of the Medi Valley winegrowers.
After several years of observations and research into the characteristics and potential of the variety, the winery presents its second Rondo wine, vintage 2023. The attraction of Rondo‘s color and aroma has been preserved, as well as its inimitable and rich taste palette. But the wine bears the specifics of grapes grown in the conditions of a warmer climate. It follows Medi Valli‘s concept of creating recognizable wines with their own style, unique character and high quality.

Vinification
The wine is made from high quality grapes with optimal ripeness. It is picked by hand and delivered to the winery in boxes. During processing, it was selected on a double sorting table. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at temperatures of 25-30°C. The wine was aged for 11 months in French oak barrels, where it achieved completeness and harmony. It was bottled on October 10, 2024. We managed to fulfill our goal – we achieved a balance between the attractiveness of the variety, the specific terroir of the Bulgarian northwest and the oenologists‘ understanding of good wine.

Tasting notes
Beautiful, rich, dark red color. Aromas of black berries, blackberries and violets are complemented by tones of chocolate, coffee and spices. The taste is fruity and caressing. The wine is gentle, but rich, tight and with a long aftertaste.