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European Union
European Commission, DG "Agriculture and Rural Development"
Strategma Agency
and SECONDARY VOCATIONAL SCHOOL OF VITICULTURE AND ENOLOGY "HRISTO BOTEV" IN PERUSHTITSA
present
CAP for Youths
On grapes, holidays, and more
Vine-growing and wine-producing on the territory of today's Bulgaria dates back thousands of years.
As early as 3500 years ago the ancient Thracians, who were very good farmers,
tamed the wild vine,
which they brought from the Near East and the Middle East.
Vine-growing was at first limited to the valley of the Maritza River and the Black Sea shore,
but it gradually spread to the rest of the territory of today's Bulgaria.
The Thracians developed wine producing to such an extent
that they came to be considered the best wine-producers of antiquity.
Wine was part of their lives
and above all - a core element of their rituals of divination.
The god most revered by the Thracians was in fact the god of wine, fertility and feasts
Zagrey or "Dionisius I", who was famous for his ability to regenerate.
Now let's brainstorm for things you can make out of grapes!
Wine! Vinegar! Brandy!
Alright, three things. Anything else?
Juice! Love!
It could ease the pangs of love, but it should be used sparingly.
Food! Raisins! Kompot! Swill!
Human food, rather! A vine-leaf dish.
Vine leaf dolma!
And the seeds? Can anything be made out of grape seeds?...
Have you heard of ampelotherapy?
It's an alternative type of therapy using grapes and grape juice.
They say it could cure all kinds of ailments
- from the pangs of love to kidney pain.
Anything!
And there's some truth about it!
Grapes and grape juice have been used in medicine since antiquity.
You could benefit from that too. I mean, it's another market slot.
The grapes you grow could be used for the production of grape juice.
You could set up a therapeutic centre
and offer grape juice therapy to clients from all over the country.
That's something you could do.
And yet another thing - grape seed oil - something even "cooler"!
Did you know that it takes a ton of seeds to produce 1 litre of oil?
-Wow.
In the Middle Ages the vine-growing and wine-producing tradition was prolonged and preserved thanks to Christianity,
whose rites also included wine, alongside bread.
Thus wine has remained integral to the various Bulgarian celebrations and rituals.
Moreover, apart from its ancient god and patron Christian saint,
wine has its own special day in Bulgaria.
Coincidence or not, it was on that day that our team visited the Vocational Secondary School of Vine Growing and Wine Producing in Perushtitsa.
It was an extraordinary school day.
That's why I'm saying that the colour matters a lot. Look at it.
The colour of white wine has to be straw yellow with greenish tints. Take a look!
..it's going to taste bitter.
That's typical of this wine - a nice slight bitterness.
There might be some sweetness too.
How come it tastes sweet when it's supposed to be bitter?
It must be bitter in the first place. Wormwood wine is supposed to taste bitter.
So wormwood wine is made by adding herbs to it, many kinds of herbs.
But the wormwood should be in largest amounts.
You mustn't forget, however, that there's a limit.
If you cross it, the wine is going to get too bitter and unpleasant to taste.
Now this wine, I'd like you to remember its pronounced aroma.
I'd like you to feel and remember this specific aroma - it's Muscat,
with its characteristic grassy notes.
Very few sorts have it, like muscat and sauvignon,
which are among the most intense in nose.
Very rich flavor, very nice.
In fact, that day is special to the whole town,
just like to all other vine-growing, wine-producing and agricultural regions in the country.
Here is why:
Trifon Zarezan is a Bulgarian vine-growing and wine-producing holiday
celebrated on the 14 February and the following two days.
According to custom, that's when vines get pruned in order to be fertile,
winter is seen off and the advent of spring
and the beginning of the agricultural season are celebrated.
St. Trifon is considered the patron saint of wine makers in particular,
but gardeners and pub keepers also celebrate their professional holiday on 14 February.
There are St. Valentine's Day celebrations.
There's a stage, people get on it and read out messages of love, kisses.
And there are heart-shaped souvenirs and a lottery .
That's on 14 February, great!
And what other holiday do we celebrate on 14 February?
"Trifon Zarezan"