18 March 2010 | Bulgaria should work towards the development of its wine tourist destinations, as that is the only way to save its small wine-makers, experts advised in a recent roundtable devoted to the enhancement of the wine-making sector’s competitive power.

The discussion took place as part of a roundtable, themed "International Practices for the Improvement of the Competitive Power in the Vine and Wine Sector" in the framework of the international trade show Vinaria.

The roundtable discussion started a series of initiatives in 2010 by Bulgaria’s vine-growing and wine-making chamber, aimed at improving the dialogue between wine-makers and state and non-governmental institutions.

In France, Bulgaria is thought of as a vine-growing country, where wine and foie gras are produced, Guy Labeyrie, founder of Europe’s only centre for the training of wine-growers, said. “Promote these products and add value to your tourist offers,” he advised.

As an example, Labeyrie used the French region of Bordeaux, which saw a significant rise in tourist interest after the region entered the auspices of UNESCO.

On a global level, wine tourism is on the rise, because it allows wine-producers to sell their production directly to the consumers. According to Labeyrie, œnotourism always includes visits to vines, an introduction to the wineries’ technologies, SPA procedures and tastings as well.

By selling wine, we actually sell the history and traditions of the region, where the wine comes from, Salvatore Giuffrida, œnologist consultant from the Regional Institute of Vine-Growing and Wine-Making in the region of Sicily, said. Visitors to wine destinations are more satisfied when, in addition to wine, they are introduced to other products connected to wine and wine-drinking.

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