The international exhibition on vine-growing and wine-making Vinaria 2006, will be held from March 15 to March 18 2006, in pavilions seven, eight, 10 and 11 of the Plovdiv Fair and the adjacent open areas. The National Vine and Wine Chamber is the co-organiser of the exhibition.

In early February, the number of companies that had applied for participation was 347 from 29 countries, including Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, Cuba, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia- Montenegro, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, the US and Turkey.

The most numerous participating companies from Italy (69), followed by Germany (30), France (10) and others.

National wine tasting, organised annually by the National Vine and Wine Chamber will be held from February 22 to March 5. The results are announced at the traditional Oenologists’ ball  that goes under the title, Wine and Love, Love and Wine. The winners are awarded gold, silver and bronze medals, honorary diplomas, Wine of the Year diplomas and the Golden Rhyton Award established by Plovdiv International Fair and handed to the best wines in four categories.

Among the highlights of the comprehensive business events programme is the third high-profile conference, Development of Viticulture and Winemaking in the Countries of South-Eastern Europe, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, with the participation of state officials and agriculture experts from the entire Balkan region.