Last week I walked into one of the few Wineshops in Istanbul. It made me think of my South African Cape Winelands where wineshops and wineries are all over the place and you are spoilt for choice. The moment I walked into Suvla's wineshop, my heart started bubbling over from delight and my eyes smiled and I felt at home. It is when I see places like this, that I want to take everybody that I know there, to feel the same excitement I feel. Happiness is there to share and so is wine. Watch this space in the New Year for details about Suvla's amazing wineshop and winery.
Meanwhile here are some Turkish wines that I've been drinking lately. Everybody that lives or travel in Turkey and drink wine knows that its expensive to buy wine here. Giving the limited competition in the market and heavy taxation, the wine pricing in Turkey is outrageous. My mission is to find more affordable, everyday drinking wines on the shelves of Istanbul.
Sarap(shah-ruhp) – Turkish word for Wine
Sevilen Isabey Cabernet-Merlot 2011
Sevilen has an award winning restaurant called, Isabey on their Winefarm in Izmir along the Aegean coast. The winery is managed by the third generation of the Güner family. This Cabernet-Merlot is a young, rich medium bodied wine and I paid 22.50TL
Kabatepe Red 2011
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc
Suvla has their winery in the historic Gallipoli Peninsula. Their wines are made without any chemicals and guarantee no headaches. At 15TL a bottle for this entry level wine, it is a real bargain. But also try Suvla's other award winning wines.
Ancyra Öküzgözü 2011
Decanter 2012 Silver medal and lots of other awards for this Turkish red. Ancyra is one of Kavaklidere's labels and it is the ancient name of the capital city, Ankara. I paid 23.90 TL for this Red and with it's intense aromas of red fruit and soft tannins it is a lovely wine to drink.
Ancyra Merlot 2011
Also Decanter 2012 Silver Medal. I paid 33TL for a delicious wine with aromas of red fruit and spices. It is well balanced and elegant with soft tannins.
Kayra Buzbag Klasik (Öküzgözü-Bogazkere)
These two indigenous Turkish grapes complement each other extremely well in a blend. It is an entry level wine and for the price of 15TL, I really enjoyed it.
Mahra Cabernet-Syrah 2011
The Yazgan family is one of the oldest wine producers in Turkey. I really enjoy the Mahra label from Yazgan. It is well priced and enjoyable. This red blend is a beautiful deep ruby, medium bodied wine and at 24.90TL a good price for the quality.
Kayra Buzbag Reserve 2008
A heritage blend of two indigenous grapes, Öküzgözü and Bogazkere. This is a strong well balanced wine with the Bogazkere providing the power, dense color and hefty tannins and the Öküzgözü adding the elegance, softer tannins and a bit of acidity. A lovely Turkish Classic. I paid 39TL.
Ancyra Kalecik Karasi 2011
I really enjoy this Turkish red. It is delicious with rich and elegant aromas of red fruit balanced with soft tannins. It is well priced for Turkish wines at only 23.90TL.
LA wines Mon Rêve Chenin-Chardonnay 2010
Decanter 2012 Gold medal. I love this white blend. It reminds me of home with the Chenin and it is a great wine with food. LA wines' vineyards are now certified as organic and at the price of 24TL, this is a awesome wine!
Nodus Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 and the Merlot-Cabernet Franc 2010
Pamukkale Wines is in the Güney country in North Denizli. They produce some award winning wines. Pamukkale means 'cotton castles'. As well as a winery, Pammukkale is also a natural site in Denizli. It contains hot water springs and is a tourist attraction in Turkey. The wine was pricey at 69TL but the quality was very good.
Hope this will help in choosing your next bottle of Turkish wine. I appreciate any feedback, so let me know what you think of the wine I am drinking at the moment and please make suggestions of other wines I can try.
Serefe!
I am off to New York this week. Obviously the first thing I will do is to find a local wine. Stay in touched with what I do everyday in the Big Apple with my Twitter @maddiesvine and read my next post from the 'City that never sleeps'!
