Bulgarian Wine & Food Tasting in Veliko Tarnovo: 5 Wines Paired

Five Bulgarian wines, five stories, one table in the old town

A guided tasting of 5 Bulgarian wines from Central Northern boutique wineries, paired with regional cheeses, cured meats, sausages, olives and bread in Veliko Tarnovo. An English-speaking host walks you through distinctive grape varieties (Gamza, Red Misket, Dimyat), and the terroir behind them, using a professional 88-aroma kit to make the sensory exploration interactive and accessible whether you know wine or not. Minimum age 18.

The experience

Five wines arrive at the table, each one paired with food selected to match its character. You'll taste from boutique wineries in Central Northern Bulgaria (producers whose names and stories your guide will introduce) alongside yellow cheese and regional cured meats, local sausages, olives and fresh bread. The wines are the anchor, but the food is what makes the pairing work: each bite is chosen to let you taste something different in the glass than you tasted alone.

The 88-aroma kit is the thing that changes how you taste. Instead of guessing at what you smell, you hold a reference strip (leather, blackberry, earth, tobacco), and suddenly the wine in your glass has a vocabulary. Your guide walks you through the aromas in each wine, so you're not hunting blind. You're learning a language you can use again. This is what makes the tasting interactive without feeling like work, and it's why people with no wine knowledge and people who drink wine regularly both find something here.

You'll hear about Gamza, Red Misket and Dimyat (the grapes that matter in this region), and why the soil and the altitude and the hands that tend the vines make a difference. It's not a lecture. It's a conversation in the historic heart of Veliko Tarnovo, built around what you're tasting and what you're eating, and it's the reason this is an introduction to Bulgarian culture, not just a wine list.

What’s included

• Five Bulgarian wines from boutique wineries in Central Northern Bulgaria.
• artisan yellow cheese, regional cured meats and local sausages.
• olives and fresh bread.
• mineral water.
• professional 88-aroma kit for exploring wine aromas.
• English-speaking guide introducing the wines, grape varieties and winery stories.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Wine Tasting Centre

Is this one for you?The tasting runs one hour and happens seated at a table in Veliko Tarnovo's historic center, so it suits anyone who wants to taste and learn without walking or standing for long stretches. Book this if you want to discover Bulgarian wine and food culture through conversation and sensory exploration rather than a walking tour.

Top questions

How long does the tasting last?

The experience runs one hour, structured around the five wines and the food pairings that accompany them.

What Bulgarian wines will I taste?

You'll taste five carefully selected wines from boutique wineries in Central Northern Bulgaria, featuring distinctive varieties like Gamza, Red Misket and Dimyat. Your guide introduces each wine, its winery and the terroir that shaped it.

What food is served with the wines?

The pairing includes artisan yellow cheese and regional cured meats, local sausages, olives and fresh bread: all selected to complement the character of each wine you taste.

Do I need wine knowledge to enjoy this?

No. The professional 88-aroma kit gives you a reference for what you smell, so you can explore the wines' aromas even if you've never done a tasting before. Your English-speaking guide makes it accessible and interactive.

Is this experience private or shared with other people?

The tasting brings people together at one table, so you'll taste alongside other guests. It's designed for couples, friends and food lovers who want to experience Bulgarian wine and hospitality together.

What's the minimum age to participate?

Participants must be at least 18 years old.