Regulating wine production in Bulgaria
In 2012 a new law could regulate production of wine and spirits in Bulgaria, as the sector is among the worst affected by the gray sector of the economy in the country. In the last days of 2011 the government presented a draft bill for the sector, which is yet to be adopted by the MPs in the National Assembly.
According to government the old bill adopted in the end of the 90s must be changed in a way to meet the latest amendments to the European legislation concerning the wine industry. The draft bill focuses on guaranteeing the quality of wines and spirits and increasing the control over trade with such products. Created after a year and a half of discussions with Bulgarian vine growers and wine makers, the new draft bill was assessed by experts as “practical and business-oriented.” A number of administrative concessions will also be introduced.
The new bill defines strict rules for the production wine and spirits. The law firmly states that wines can be produced only from grape. Adding spirit to it is forbidden, while adding sugar is allowed only in cases when experts prove the need. The law states that traditional Bulgarian alcoholic beverages are five types of rakia (a type of brandy), mastika (a strong anise-flavoured drink, and Menta (a sweet mint liqueur). The five types of rakia are grape, wine, fruit, and marc. A beverage with less than 37.5% of alcohol cannot be called rakia. Grape rakia will be strictly 40% alcohol, while mastika will not be less than 47%. Wines with protected designation of origin are also recognized in the new law. Wines will also pass through laboratory tests. The new law states spirits must be sold bottled, while draft wine can be sold only after having a laboratory-issued certificate that the product is good for consumption and does not contain additives.
Violators selling wine and spirits with unknown origin will be imposed fines starting from 5,000 euro. Fines for counterfeit alcohol production reach 15,000 euro. The Executive Agency on Vine and Wine will control the quality of wine and spirits. The Agency will be also authorized to control the trade with alcoholic beverages in restaurants and shops.
The new law aims to combat the gray sector and also to boost the competitiveness of Bulgarian wine production abroad, through guaranteeing the highest quality. This way Bulgaria could return to traditional markets and enter new ones.
Text and photo: www.bnr.bg
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