8/22/2019 Rhyton Ltd Macao Closer

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Rhyton Ltd, Tenio Latev

The Early Days The story began some 3,500 years ago, when viticulture took root in ancient Thrace, now southern

Bulgaria. Benefitting from a variety of terroirs thanks to its diverse landscape, by classical antiquity Thrace was an

important wine-producing region in the ecumene. So enchanted was Homer that a heavy, black, sweet wine from

Thrace was mentioned in Iliad. Viticulture continued to thrive under the First and Second Bulgarian Empire (681-

1018; 1185-1396), until the Ottoman rulers enforced a ban on wine from 1396-1878, during which production shifted

from vitis vinifera to table grapes. The Viticultural Great Purge In the 60s, Bulgarias wine industry was modernized

with state-of-the-art Soviet facilities, producing huge amount of proletariat wine good for comrades across the

Warsaw Pact. In terms of wine export (by volume), Bulgaria was second only to mighty France in 1989. Then came

the Great Purge, initiated not by the long expired Joseph Stalin (1878-1953), but by the last leader of the USSR

Mikhail Gorbachev (1931-), who vowed to combat alcoholism. From 1989 to 1990, within merely one year, nearly all

wineries, machineries, and vineyards were annihilated. But for the courage of some Bulgarian vintners, who

concealed from the Soviet authorities at serious personal risk, Bulgarian viticulture would have been wiped out from

the face of the earth. The Future Foreign investment since the mid-90s and EU funding after the country became a

member state in 2007 have helped boost Bulgarian viticulture; total volume remains a small fraction of pre-1989 level,

but quality-wise, improvements have been substantial. At a recent tasting, Rhyton showcased 30+ wines from all 5

viticultural areas of the country: Danubian Plain (North), Black Sea (East), Rose Valley (Sub-Balkan), Thracian

Lowland (South), and Struma River Valley (Southwest). As the first and so far only international distributor of

Bulgarian wines, Rhyton currently represents 700+ wines from nearly 20 wineries, and the portfolio is set to furtherexpand. For DirectorTenio Latev, himself Bulgarian and a core member of the forthcoming Bulgarian Chamber of

Commerce Hong Kong-Macao, this is much more than merelybusiness venture. Bulgaria has much to offer in terms

of wine and gourmet. People are often pleasantly shocked by how good value for money Bulgarian products are, be it

wine, brandy, grappa, vodka, balsamic vinegar, truffle, or olive oil. In bringing these products to Hong Kong and

Macao, one of our core markets, we invite people to discover Bulgarias many hidden gems, as well as our epicurean

culture, he explained. Below are but four of the many wines that offer exceptional price-quality ratio, all below the

HKD$/MOP$200 mark. Black Sea Gold Muscat 2009 Pomorie has been a seaside resort since the Classical period.

The eastern Black Sea region, meanwhile, is home to 30% of all vines and 50% of all whites in Bulgaria.

Moderated by sea breeze, autumns are long and mild, ideal for grapes to achieve optimum maturation. Made with

100% Muscat Ottonel, the lightest of the Muscat family (comprising a staggering 200+ sub-varieties), this golden-

green wine has an alluringly floral nose highlighted by geranium. Highly fragrant, raisin, honey, and musk flavours are

supported by crispy minerality. Rounded and nicely balanced, the finish is satisfyingly persistent. Lovico Gamza

Reserve 2009 The town of Suhindol is part of the northern Danubian Plain region, wherein temperate continentalclimate guarantees hot and sunny summers. This is the only region in Bulgaria where Gamza is produced; otherwise

known as Kadarka, this Eastern European variety has received much acclaim, thanks to Hungarys iconic wine Egri

Bikavr (literally Bulls Blood of Eger). Deep ruby in colour with garnet glow, aromas of cherry and red berries are

supported by lively acidity and tasty tannin. Remarkably powerful for a medium-bodied wine, it is well-structured, with

mineral nuances and a long finish. Saint Ilia Estate Merlot & Mavrud 2008 The southern Thracian region, indeed the

cradle of Bulgarian wine, has a hybrid temperate continental-Mediterranean climate. Produced only in this region, the

time-old Mavrud (from Greek mavro, meaning black) is a small-berried, low-yielding, and late-ripening indigenous

variety, as quintessential to Bulgaria as Touriga Nacional to Portugal. Ruby red in colour with violet tints, aromas of

dark fruits and plum are immediately inviting. Complemented by an array of flavours on the palate, including forest

herbs, fine vanilla, toast, and dry spices, this full-on wine is paradoxically fresh, warm, and supple. Midalidare Estate

Carpe Diem 2011 This is 21st century Bulgarian viticulture in a bottle, an interesting and utterly international blend

of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Syrah. Out goes Soviet rustiness, this wine resembles more of a

feminine Left Bank Bordeaux. Bright ruby in colour with garnet hues, its aromatic nose of red berries, damson, andplum is further supported by vanilla and leather on the palate. Supple and juicy with fine grained tannin and a clear

structure, this is a poised and very elegant wine. Seize the day (carpe diem, from ancient Roman lyric poet Horace) if

you must, do not overlook its age-worthiness. --- Black Truffle Butter Fine sheep & goat butter generously imbued

with premium Bulgarian black truffle. Add a Midas touch on any dish. As a rule of thumb, do not use with tomato,

lemon, or strong spices. --- CONTACT Rhyton Co. Ltd.Tenio LatevDirector E: tenio@rhyton.hk T: +852 6908 0739

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