Bulgaria’s annual premier wine event Vinaria opens at the International Fair centre in Plovdiv on March 14 2010, continuing until March 17.
 
This year, the partner country is South Africa, and the country’s department of trade and industry is sponsoring participation in Vinaria 2010 by six top wineries that previously have not offered their wines in Eastern Europe.
 
Vinaria, first held in 1993, brings together leading companies from the most important industry sectors relating to vine-growing and wine producing.
 
The event serves as a centre for exchange of information, presentation of innovations and technologies through the numerous conferences, seminars, presentations and business meetings included in the parallel business programme, according to Vinaria’s website.
 
"South Africa is one of the major economic powers, so we have decided to invite it as Partner Country for Vinaria 2010," Ivan Sokolov, Senior Director of International Fair Plovdiv, was quoted as saying by the website.
 
South Africa is ninth among the top wine producing countries in the world with yearly production of 10 million hectolitres from more than 100 000 hectares of vineyards and about 300 000 people engaged in the wine sector. South African wines are in demand worldwide due to the excellent quality at reasonable prices.
 
The country has participated in Vinaria for a number of years. South African ambassador Sheila Camerer said that she believed that the country’s role in this year’s Vinaria could stimulate trade between the two countries.
 
As part of South Africa’s participation, the country is hosting a recital by award-winning young South African soprano Pretty Yende, currently contracted to La Scala. The accompanist will be Yolanta Smolyanova.
 
Vinaria is open to visitors from 9am until 6pm on March 14, 15 and 16, and from 9am to 2pm on March 17. Entrance tickets cost three leva, or 12 leva for the duration of the wine show.