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Wednesday, March 26, 2025
WineGrapesMisket Vrachanski

Misket Vrachanski

Врачански Мискет
[MEES-ket vrah-CHAN-ski]

Misket Vrachanski is a distinctive Bulgarian white grape variety native to the northwestern regions around Vratsa, from which it takes its name. Known for its delicate floral bouquet, crisp acidity, and cool-climate charm, Misket Vrachanski is one of the lesser-known yet historically significant members of the broader Misket group. It is valued for its ability to produce light, fresh, and aromatic white wines, particularly suited for early consumption.

Misket Vrachanski Profile

Misket Vrachanski wines are expressive yet subtle. They reveal a refined mix of orchard fruit, meadow herbs, and soft minerality. Often unoaked, the best expressions come from higher-altitude vineyards, where cool nights help preserve aroma and acidity.

Serving

8-10°C

Serving Temperature

White Tulip

no decanting

Decanting

Food Pairing

It pairs beautifully with fresh cheese, white fish, vegetable terrines, and cold Bulgarian appetizers. It complements dishes like shopska salad, tarator, and herb-marinated poultry, offering brightness to every bite.

What to Look For?

Look for a light straw hue, subtle aromatics of apple blossom and wild herbs, and a delicate, bright, and slightly herbal palate. A clean, zippy finish is the hallmark of a well-made Misket Vrachanski.

Cellaring Potential

Typically, it is best within 1–3 years when its freshness is at its peak. It’s not intended for aging, though some fuller expressions may hold for 4 years.

Blending Partners

While usually vinified solo, it is occasionally blended with Dimyat, Red Misket, Riesling, Traminer, Varnenski Misket, or Muscat Ottonel to add volume, floral, or finesse in regional white blends.

Variants & Clones

A known clonal variant, Misket Vrachanski 12, improves yield and resistance. It retains the grape’s aromatics while enhancing its adaptability.

Although Misket Vrachanski shares its name with other Misket varieties, the so-called “Misket family” is not a genetically related group. Instead, it represents a traditional Bulgarian classification based on style and sensory qualities—typically light-bodied, floral, and used for dry white wines. While many Misket grapes share aromatic and structural traits, their origins differ: some are ancient and Indigenous, like Misket Cherven, while others are modern selections or crosses.

Alternative Grapes

Try Varnenski Misket, Red Misket, or Dimyat for similar Bulgarian freshness and delicacy. International comparisons include Fetească Albă or Albariño for their light body and herbal-acidic balance.

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Discover More

Grape ID

Typical PDOs:
Euxinograd, Vratsa, Plovdiv, Montana, Chernomorski rayon, Lom
Soil-Climatic Zoning:
Black Sea, Northern, Rila-Rhodopes, Black Sea
Origin:
Bulgaria
Grape Color:
Blanc
Grape Type:
Autochthonous

Note: Typical PDO: Specifies the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) where wines made from this grape variety are officially recognized according to their technical dossiers; Typical PGI: Identifies the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) regions where this grape variety is considered characteristic; Soil-Climatic Zoning: Indicates the connection to Bulgaria’s Soil-Climatic Zoning of 1935, confirming if the grape variety is traditionally grown in the designated PDO territory; Ampelographic Region: Identifies the ampelographic region based on Bulgaria’s historical Ampelographic Map.

Typical Grape Characteristics

Grape Sugars:
22% to 23%
Grape Acidity:
5.4g/L to 6g/L
Wine Alcohol:
11% to 12.5%

Note: The sugar and acidity levels of the grape syrup, as well as the wine alcohol contents are based on values observed in a typical region under optimal growing and vinification conditions.

Viticulture & Growing Conditions

Yield kg/dec:
1000
Ripening period:
10 Sep - 20 Sep

Note: The yield and ripening period timeline are based on evidence from a typical region under optimal growing conditions. 10 dec. equals 1000 square meters, or 1 hectare.

Grape Names & Synonyms

Latin: Misket Vrachanski, Misket Vratchanski, Tvurda Tamyanka, Vrachanski Misket, Vrazhda Misket Cyrillic: Вражда Мискет, Врачански Мискет, Твърда Тамянка

Wine Blending Partners

Vrachanski Misket & Riesling, Vrachanski Misket & Varnenski Misket, Vrachanski Misket & Traminer, Vrachanski Misket & Dimyat

Wineries

Staro Oryahovo Winery, Salla Estate Winery, Bononia Estate Winery, Chateau Euxinograd Winery, Ahinora Winery, Chateau Boshnakov, Magura Winery, Chatony Winery, Tipchenitza Winery, Sarandiev Winery, Wine House Ruse, Simenta Winery, Vrachanska Temenuga, Gomotartzi Winery, Prisoe Winery
Quick Decant Reviews
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