The progenitor of all European grape varieties is Vitis vinifera, a species that humans have been using for over 8,000 years. Over millennia, Vitis vinifera has crossbred and mutated into thousands of varieties and clones, sometimes by chance, but more often through human selective cultivation methods and innovative abilities.
The long history of wine has taught humanity how to successfully match grape varieties with growing conditions that best highlight their unique characteristics. Centuries of practical experience have created invaluable knowledge that forms the foundation for wine-producing countries, regions, and Grand Cru vineyards—each defined by the specific grape variety that thrives and reaches its full potential in that environment.
When exploring a wine’s taste, aging potential, and style, the journey always leads back to its origin—the grape.
In the same pragmatic approach, Abdyika has chosen to focus on local grape varieties, which form the very heart of the estate’s wines. The cultivation process is meticulously tailored to optimize the potential of each vine through pruning, trimming, and selective thinning of the grape clusters. The yield is carefully adjusted to ensure that each grape reaches its highest possible quality.
This uncompromising focus on detail is key to creating wines that not only reflect the terroir but also capture the essence of the region’s tradition and character
Bunch reduction to concentrate the fruit extract in the grapes
Broad Leaved Melnik is one of the region’s most iconic grape varieties, with a cultivation tradition stretching back thousands of years. This grape is exceptionally resistant to drought and ripens late in the season. With its thin, purple skins, the grapes reach a relatively low sugar content (around 20%) and acidity (4.5 g/l) when fully ripened.
Both in the vineyards and the cellar, the focus is on maximizing color extraction, softening the tannins, and concentrating the fruit flavors in the young wine. The result is a fruity wine with a light ruby red color and a medium-bodied character, with an alcohol content of approximately 12–12.5%. The aromas are dominated by Morello cherries and strawberries, balanced by a subtle herbal note.
Broad Leaved Melnik harmonizes beautifully with oak aging, which further enhances its complexity. This variety has an impressive aging potential, making it a favorite among wine lovers and connoisseurs alike.
Melnik-55 is a Bulgarian grape variety created by crossing Broad Leaved Melnik with Valdiguié, a grape well-known in southern France and USA (where it is often called Napa Gamay). This variety ripens 2–3 weeks earlier than Broad Leaved Melnik but is less resistant to drought. The grape’s thin skin has a deep dark blue color, and the fruit is characterized by soft tannins, high acidity (5.5 g/l), and high sugar content of around 26%.
To ensure a balanced profile between sugar, acidity, tannins, and extract, careful management of each vine is required. The goal is to avoid excessively high sugar levels, which could lead to overly alcoholic wines. Wines made from Melnik-55 are distinguished by an intense dark blue color, a full body, and smooth tannins. The taste is dominated by notes of dark cherries and subtle herbal undertones. Like its relative, Broad Leaved Melnik, Melnik-55 is particularly well-suited for oak aging, where its complexity and aromas are further enhanced.
Ruen was also developed by Bulgaria’s Ampelographic Institute through the crossing of Broad Leaved Melnik with Cabernet Sauvignon. The variety was identified as early as 1952, but it wasn’t officially launched until 1967. Known for its robustness and resistance to both drought and fungal attacks, Ruen features medium-thick skins, a deep dark blue color, and a ripening time in early October, making it a grape with unique characteristics. At full maturity, it reaches a sugar content of around 22% and an acidity of 6 g/l.
The vineyard techniques for Ruen focus on increasing the grape’s extract content through selective thinning. This results in a wine with a deep blue color, high acidity, and strong yet elegant tannins. The alcohol content is around 13.5%. The flavor profile is rich and complex, with notes of bitter red fruits like cherries and blackberries, combined with hints of violet and a peppery finish. Ruen is highly suitable for oak aging, which further refines its structure, elegance, and aging potential.
In addition to the local grape varieties, Abdyika’s wines are blended with the internationally recognized varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. These grapes contribute a robust tannin structure and complex flavors of cherries, plums, and black currants, creating a perfect balance with the local grape varieties. Their expression clearly enhances the depth and character of the Abdyika´s wines.
The Melnik grapes is waiting for the perfect balance to be harvested
Assyrtiko is Greece’s most famous quality grape, originally from the volcanic island of Santorini. This variety was chosen by Abdyika due to the similarities between Santorini’s soil and the vineyard’s growing conditions, where sand, limestone, and volcanic ash dominate the soil. Assyrtiko is known for its high fruit acidity and aromatic intensity. The young wine exhibits nuances of rose petals and apricot, along with a mild, pleasant bitterness in the finish.
Chenin Blanc originates from the Loire Valley, specifically from the area around the town of Anjou and the Touraine appellation. The grape is cultivated in Abdyika’s limestone-rich sedimentary soils, where low yields and careful vine pruning ensure grapes with high extract content and an impressive fruit acidity of 7–8 g/l, with a sugar content of around 20%. The grapes are used to create crisp, dry wines with a full character and flavors of green apples and minerality. The vines, planted from Loire clones 220 and 880, further guarantee the quality and authenticity of the wines.
