📍 Danubian Plain

The Danubian Plain is the northern part of Bulgaria between the Danube and the slopes of the Stara Planina (Balkan Mountains), from the Timok river in the west to the Black Sea in the east. Most of the plain lies at 100–250 m, rising to 300–400 m near the Pre-Balkan; the relief is low-lying, flat to hilly and plateau-like. The soils formed on loess: chernozems and grey forest soils predominate.

The climate is temperate continental: the mean annual temperature is 10–12.2 °C, winters are cold, though milder in the east thanks to the Black Sea, and summers are hot and dry, with the warmest month at 21.5–24.0 °C. The country's largest annual temperature range – 25 °C – has been recorded here. Rainfall is 450–650 mm a year.

The regional wine PGI “Дунавска равнина” has been protected in the EU since 28.04.2007. Its zone covers all of Northern Bulgaria, from Vidin and Montana to Varna, Dobrich and Shumen. The limits are up to 13,000 kg/ha and no more than 70 l of wine per 100 kg of grapes. Within it lie separate PDO appellations, among them Svishtov, Suhindol, Pavlikeni, Novo Selo, Lyaskovets and Shumen. According to the Ministry of Agriculture of Bulgaria, in 2025 the three northern districts produced 16 % of the country's grapes.

Permitted varieties include Gamza, which the VIVC treats as a synonym of Kadarka, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pamid, Dimyat, Muscat Ottonel and Chardonnay. In 2025 whites took up 57 % of the wine-grape area in the north. Since 2025 the rules have allowed quality sparkling wine made by the traditional method from the local Gergana grape (Dimyat × Muscat Ottonel).

Why it matters to you. The words “Регионално вино” and “Дунавска равнина” on a label mean this zone's PGI, while a town name (“Свищов”, “Сухиндол”) marks a separate, stricter PDO appellation. Gamza and Kadarka are the same grape. Whites are served at 4–10 °C, reds at 15–18 °C.