FRIENDSIPs Merlot & Rubin 2021, Thracian Valley, Bulgaria
FRIENDSIPs Merlot & Rubin 2021, Thracian Valley, Bulgaria
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- Style - Dry, Red
- Grape(s) - Merlot, Rubin
- Region - Thracian Valley, Bulgaria
- Dietary -
- Allergen - Sulphites - Myths vs. Facts
- ABV, Size - 14.0%, 75 cL
A Smooth and Rich Bulgarian Red Blend
Tasting Notes
FRIENDSIPs Merlot & Rubin 2021 is a beautiful blend that combines the softness of Merlot with the bold, dark fruit character of Rubin. The wine has a deep, garnet-red colour, with expressive aromas of ripe blackberries, plums, and cherries, layered with hints of sweet spice, cocoa, and a touch of tobacco. On the palate, it is smooth and full-bodied, with well-rounded tannins and a harmonious balance of fruit, spice, and subtle earthy notes. The finish is long and elegant, with lingering flavours of black fruits and a hint of vanilla.
Perfect Serve
Serve at 16–18°C. This versatile red blend pairs wonderfully with a range of dishes, from grilled meats and sausages to roasted vegetables and soft cheeses. It also makes a great companion for rich pasta dishes or charcuterie, making it an ideal wine for both casual gatherings and more refined meals.
Artisan Craftsmanship
FRIENDSIPs Merlot & Rubin 2021 is crafted from a blend of Merlot, the well-known Bordeaux variety, and Rubin, a native Bulgarian grape that adds structure and intensity to the wine. The grapes are sourced from the Thracian Valley, a region renowned for its fertile soil and ideal climate for viticulture. The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks to preserve the fresh, fruity character while allowing the flavours to develop and mature in harmony.
Key Features
- Region: Thracian Valley, Bulgaria
- Grape Varieties: Merlot, Rubin
- Style: Smooth, full-bodied, and fruit-forward
- ABV: 14%
- Pairing: Grilled meats, roasted vegetables, soft cheeses, rich pasta dishes
FRIENDSIPs Merlot & Rubin 2021 is a harmonious and approachable red blend that offers a perfect balance of fruit and spice, showcasing the best of Bulgaria’s winemaking traditions in the Thracian Valley.
Free UK delivery over £100 or from just £3.99
Free UK delivery over £100 or from just £3.99
Fast, reliable nationwide delivery straight to your door.
Free local delivery over £29 or from just £2.99
Free local delivery over £29 or from just £2.99
Orders over £29 are delivered free within 10 miles of our wine shop. For smaller orders, local delivery starts at just £2.99
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Est. 2009 – Independent Retailer
Est. 2009 – Independent Retailer
Since 2009, we’ve stood behind every bottle. If you’re not happy with your wine, we’ll make it right.
The Small Print
The Small Print
We take care to keep product information accurate, but recipes can change. Always check labels for nutrition, dietary and allergen details. If you need specific advice, please talk to us.

Let customers speak for us
from 468 reviews
A lovely drink and remarkably good value . Smooth and buttery with that unmistakable Napa terroir writ large. Nothing not to like.

Another fantastic wine tasting. But with a difference. Wine bottles concealed in black numbered bags 1-7. Black glasses. So we were unaware of what we were tasting, having to rely on taste and smell alone. We had tasting notes to guide our thoughts once we had made a few notes ourselves. It was great fun. I managed to at least figure out whether or not the wine was red. But missed the rose and mistook one white for red.
The Wine Shop tasting are great fun. Highly recommend.

Great evening getting confused and educated at the very interesting Mystery Wine Tasting with 7 secret wines in black bags to taste using black glasses so you couldn’t tell if it was white, rose, or red. Kelli and Caroline gave great guidance and helped us work through what we were smelling and tasting to get to a grape and country. My two fears were that (1) I wouldn’t recognise a Tempranillo (especially as it turned out to be one I have often purchased!) and (2) that I’d actually like a Merlot!!! (Luckily there wasn’t one 😂). Another brilliant wine tasting.

We really enjoyed the Rose Wine Tasting which showcased a great selection of styles so that there was something that suited everyone around our table . Really informative about the different production methods and busted some myths! Wine Shop Winscombe tastings are always great value and great fun.

The first time I tasted the Long Barn I paid £15 for a large glass in a upmarket town pub. £15!! Oh my though, it was delicious..
Full bodied, fruity with and intense spicy finish, I had to fight my partner for the rest of the glass once he’d been given a taste.
Imagine my delight when I found it here at Vinoshop for less than £15 for the bottle! I’ll take a cheeky box of 6 thanks!

Another great wine tasting, with an exciting range of Summer Wines. Starting with a surprisingly good gently sparkling Asti, with an outstanding Penfolds 311 Chardonnay, with some fresh Summery reds including a great, full bodied Cabernet Franc from Argentina. As ever, expertly curated and explained. Looking forward to the next tastings.

The dark fruit, hint of spice and chocolate make for a truly delicious Valpolicella! I’m here to order another six bottle.. yum! 😋

I am very much enjoying this whisky in the evening for a night cap. It is beautifully smooth, well balanced, with a elegant floral sweetness.

I recently shopped at vinoshop.co.uk and was really impressed. The website is easy to use, with helpful wine descriptions that made choosing the right bottle a lot simpler. I was looking for a gift for a Ruby anniversary, and their team suggested a stunning Portuguese red wine—it was perfect!
The checkout process was smooth, and my order arrived quickly, beautifully packaged. Plus, the customer service was fantastic—they were quick to answer my questions and offer great advice.
If you're after quality wines and excellent service, I highly recommend The Wine Shop. It’s a great experience from start to finish.

Thank you so much for the recommendation, it went beautifully with the mackerel we had last night.

Just right for sharing with my visiting family and now for supping on the Isles of Scilly.
Thank you Matthew and Kelli (and new team member Carolyn? whom I have yet to meet!). Great to hear about your new business plans. J.

Pre-selected white wine case of 12, a lovely selection perfect for summer bbq’s and entertaining. Super fast delivery too.

Absolutely fantastic pure nectar, heavenly!

I had tasted this prosecco in a hotel in the Lake District and really liked it.
It has notes of soft pear and vanilla and didn't disappoint when I got my delivery.. Just as delicious.

New to Winscombe and delighted to find this excellent wine shop. As a Malbec fan I am gradually working my way round their large selection...and these great wines are a great way to do that. Mark