The red grape variety (also Melnik) is a new variety between Shiroka Melnishka x Valdiguié. The name was given after the smallest Bulgarian town under monumental protection (known for sandstone pyramids). The crossbreeding was made in Bulgaria in 1963 by the breeders Z. Zankov, Y. Atanasov and G. Karamitov. A seed mixture of the three varieties Durif, Jurançon and Valdiguié was used in the breeding (and also indicated so in the breeding list), but the definitive paternity of Valdiguié was determined by DNA analyses carried out in 2005. The new Ranna Melnishka Loza breed was created with the same parents. This early to medium maturing vine is moderately resistant to botrytis. It produces full-bodied, acidic and tannic red wines with ageing potential. The variety is cultivated in the southwest of Bulgaria. In 2016, however, no stocks were reported (statistics Kym Anderson).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
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