Dimyat: The parade white grape variety of Bulgaria?
On the world wine market Bulgaria is traditionally considered as a producer of red wines. The local consumer views himself in a similar way. But the truth is slightly different: white wines and rosés are produced and sold almost in equal quantities as red wines and this is not a recent tendency. Although Bulgarian white wine is unlikely to become a competitor to Mosel, Alsace or Loire, it has its own place in our local lifestyle.
Dimyat is rather a Balkan, than a Bulgarian grape variety - here it is found only in the region of the Serbian town Smederevo, where it is also known as Smederevka. It is also grown in Tikves, Macedonia, in Romania under the name Semendru and in Turkey as Dertonia. In Bulgaria it is found on the Black Sea Coast, in the Shumen region, in Stara Zagora, around Varna, Pomorie, Preslav, Pliska and in the Rhodopes: near Haskovo, Ivaylovgrad and Chirpan. Dimyat is warm-loving grape variety and grows on chalky soils
Recent DNA-studies have fixed its parents: the Moldovian Coarna Alba, which genes are also found in the Vrachanski Misket, and Gouais Blanc, also called "Casanova of grape varieties", which is the proven parent of more than 80 varieties, the most important of which are Chardonnay, Gamay, Savagnin, Furmint, Blaufränkisch and Riesling and was first mentioned in XVI century.
Aromatic, floral and subtle, the Dimyat is one of the most widespread local grape varieties. It develops a fruity aroma with notes of ripe peaches, geranium and linden. It tastes delicate with a nice freshness, and due to this fact, apart for light and aromatic wines, it is often used as a basis for the most interesting Bulgarian rakias. Experiments in the recent years show that it is suitable for ageing on the fine lees, for being in contact with oak, for blending with fresher varieties or even for fermentation with the skin (orange wines).
Due to its aromatic profile, this grape variety is perfectly paired with Asian cuisine, Balkan dishes, fished with white meat, pasta or risotto with asparagus or cream sauce, cheesecakes or nuts.
