On a local map, we saw Bendida Enotheca and Wine Shop and decided to pursue it. We walked quite a distance to get there (in an area where Bulgarians live in apartment buildings). We spotted it because we saw a couple of men stowing big plastic bottles of wine into their car parked on the sidewalk. As we entered the small shop, we didn't know what to expect. I had read somewhere that they served tapas and wine tasting samples. First, we observed shelves of plastic liter bottles and numerous small plastic cups with remnants of red wine. I knew I couldn't do any wine tasting without something in my stomach.
A friendly Bulgarian woman came up to us and asked in English if we would like to taste. Tom told her we had come to get some information. She told us about her family winery, that she was the sommelier, and her daughter, the winemaker. Although English was her fourth language, she enthusiastically informed us about grapes that were unique to this area. So I had to taste.
I told her I liked red wine, and she asked me what my favorite was. I told her Pinot Noir, but that I also liked red blends. She said that Bulgarians liked bigger wines than Pinot. First she poured me their lightest red, which I immediately liked because it was not that light. She told us about the grape wine varieties Rubin and Mavrud that are typical of the Plovdiv region. The Rubin was my favorite. They also sold labeled glass bottles of these wines. However, I couldn't resist the deal of two plastic liters of Rubin for 20 lev or $12, so we toted it home and have enjoyed it every evening at dinner.
Carol really liked this particular jug.
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