From Bulgaria, the 2012 Burgozone Pinot Noir cost under $18, has 13.5% alcohol, and scored 17 fine points on the 20-point Dionysian scale. At a decade old, it was perfect, having lost no color, and filled with cherry.

Having been to this area, I knew they served this wine with duck. Perfect match.

The wine comes from the PGI Danube Plain north of the Capital, Sofia. They’ve come a long way since the Soviet mass produced sweet wines of the Iron Curtain days. Seek some out. In Vino Veritas.