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| Tasting of raspberry wine at Trastenaya Chalet |
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Between the villages of Lakatnik and Bov, in the thickets of the Balkan Range fresh with an ancient beech forest and two mountain lakes, Trastenaya Chalet is found, a magnet for a rest in the mountain. It lies on the longest marked tourist trail in Bulgaria, from Kom Peak to Cape Emine, part of E3 international route. Apart from inspiring landscapes for artists and poets, the chalet is surrounded by raspberry plantations. So tourists are welcome to try the fresh fruit in the summer, and enjoy a glass of aromatic raspberry wine in cooler seasons. With the very first glass, stress is relieved and senses are filled with lightness and joy.
“Well, in fact wine-making is quite a nice experience”, says Olya, daughter-in-law of the chalet’s managers. “It is an extraordinary wine made from extraordinary fruit. And it is delightful to give it to strangers who enjoy it fully. Our guests are quite nice people, from various walks of life. There are young guys but also university professors. Usually, various guest groups mix for a nice evening party together, and we become one family.”
In the Trastenaya locality, one comes across the remains of St. Panteleimon Monastery. It was founded in 9 c. by disciples of the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius, the creators of the Slavonic script. Monks have been making the celebrated raspberry wine and its recipe was handed down from generation to generation of monks. In this way it reached a priest from the family of the current chalet managers. Ten years ago they started making wine. It is now quite popular because it is delicious, healthy and organic.
“Raspberries have a very high Vitamin C content, second only to lemons”, explains Boris, the son of the chalet managers. “It has the property of lowering body temperature, and has a lower content of tannins and sulfites than wine from grapes. To make this excellent wine that attracts a lot of visitors to the locality, we have to take constant care of raspberry plantations. We put a lot of love in everything. In the beginning we had to face some problems, but many people have been of great help. One of them who consulted us free of charge was the head technologist of the Institute for Viticulture and Wine Making Stoyan Gerov.”
Being young and full of energy, Olya and Boris have a few ideas how to promote the chalet and its environs. They plan to launch a Raspberry Festival. The attraction of Trastenaya locality has to do with the lovely mountain scenery, the two lakes full of fish and the numerous trails in the area.
“There is a peak below the chalet called Izdremets rising at 1495 m”, Boris goes on to say. “This peak offers an amazing vista including Sofia and Botevgrad and as far as the Danube. This is A place that can take your breath away, especially in the fall. The region boasts of wild animals including deer, boars and bears. Mind you, the best season to visit this part of Bulgaria is either the fall, or the spring when everything bathes in blossoms”, concludes Boris.
BNR |
| Monday, Jan 20, 2014 |
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| » RENTALS |
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| Apartment |
€ 335 |
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| Location: |
Veliko Tarnovo |
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