We're back in Bulgaria, and the conversation follows Charles's trip through the Struma River Valley, the Pirin Mountains, Sofia's suburbs, and Plovdiv. He explains how he got the best tips from Eric Alzi of The Bulgarian History Podcast.

We visit Reupel Winery's unlikely Marselan and Pinot Noir blend, Zagreus Winery and their most unexpected Mavrud dessert wine, discover grapes like Tamyanka, Sandanski Miskat, Broad Leaf Melnik, and Reuben, and talk about why Bulgarian reds seem to understand restraint better than so many overoaked bottles.

Somewhere between medieval rulers, beautiful disorganisation, French tourists comparing everything to home, and Russians in speedos, we end up discussing travelling with a young child and why Charles isn't allowed to go to Greece without Nick, while trying to figure out why Bulgaria feels a little like home.

• Tamyanka, Sandanski Miskat, and Broad Leaf Melnik.
• Reuben and why crossing Nebbiolo with Syrah actually makes sense.
• Why Bulgaria keeps winning us over with balanced reds instead of overoaked ones.
• Charles's conversations with Eric Alzi from The Bulgarian History Podcast during his trip.
• Zagreus Winery, Reupel Winery, and surprisingly empty roads outside the capital.
• Roman ruins and Bulgaria's beautifully disorganized charm.

• Patreon