Turkish wine: history, producers, the best brands
Grape drinks from Turkey are little known among consumers, despite the excellent quality of products. This is due, firstly, to the insignificant volumes of exports to our country, secondly, to the high price, and thirdly, to the almost complete lack of advertising.
Some travelers who have been to Turkey and managed to taste local wines speak well of the drinks - that's all that is known about them.
History and peculiarities of Turkish winemaking
Interestingly, Turkey, along with Georgia, Armenia, and Greece, is considered one of the ancestors of the wine craft, which appeared here about 6 thousand years ago.
The country's climate is ideal for growing grapes. The only problem is finding fertile soils.
Not all regions of Turkey can boast of having land suitable for vine cultivation.
Only a few regions of the country are engaged in the production of wine raw materials and the manufacture of beverages from it - mainly on the coasts of the Marmara and Aegean Seas.
Among the best areas for cultivation: Izmir, Cappadocia, Diyarbakir and Eastern Thrace.
During the Ottoman Empire, grapes were grown exclusively for fresh consumption or for juice.
The fact is that drinking alcohol has never been welcomed by Islam. In fact, little has changed since those days: most of the grape fruit is used for food.
Modern Turkish winemaking is mainly export-oriented. The largest supplies of local beverages are made to Germany, Luxembourg, and Belgium.
In addition to alcohol made from grapes, the country produces fruit and berry wines, which are better known and popular outside the country. For these purposes, the following fruits are harvested: apple, pomegranate, cherry, blackberry, peach, melon, raspberry and mulberry.
The main producers
In Turkey, there are about a hundred small wineries that work in the old fashioned way: using "retro equipment".
Do not treat them with disdain: some "ancient" farms produce very decent products, taking into account local traditions.
It is better to try such drinks while traveling around the country in small rural taverns.
As for industrial production, there are 6 main giants of the wine market:
Doluca
Kavaklidere
Sarafin
Turasan (Tursan)
Sevilen
Melen (Melen)
The most significant volumes of supplies are accounted for by the first two. The rest of the enterprises are on the way to development, but eventually promise to push the eminent producers.
The main wineries pay great attention to quality and use modern equipment for wine production: steel vats, classic bottling lines, temperature control systems, etc. д.
Both indigenous grape varieties with difficult-to-pronounce names (Eckusgesu, Dekülgen, Beilerjah) and world-famous ones (Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling, Cabernet, etc.) are selected as raw materials.).
Most of the products are blended (a mixture of different varieties).
In terms of fruit wines, the best winery producing them is located in the Ephesus region, in the village of Şirince (Şirince brand).
You can taste them directly in the production area or buy them in any Turkish store. These are sweet drinks from the category "for amateurs", reminiscent of liqueurs: someone will like them, someone will not like them.
Pomegranate wines good for the brand "Kutman".
The best wines of Turkey
Experts in the field of winemaking and experienced travelers recommend tasting local dry drinks, which are the majority in Turkey.
There are also sweet, semi-sweet, sparkling wines, but they are considered less interesting.
What to try first of all
-
Kalecik Karasi
One of the most famous wines from Doluca Winery, made from local raw materials.
A drink made from red grapes with a pronounced fruity and berry flavor, dominated by cherries.
Can be young or aged.
The wine is recognized as worthy among local connoisseurs and foreign tasters: the products have repeatedly received awards at international competitions.
Suitable for poultry and red meat dishes, cheeses and pates.
Shiraz from Melen Winery
Soft, enveloping wine with plum and cherry flavors, light notes of pepper and vanilla.
The drink is characterized by an intense purple color and a pronounced fruity aroma.
Will be a good addition to lunch and hot dishes.
Verano Blush by Doluca
Light rosé wine for a female company.
Bogazkere from Kavaklidere Winery or Turasan
A dark ruby drink that combines tartness with freshness of fruit. Perfectly complements meat appetizers.
Emir
Classic white wine produced by Turasan.
Has a pronounced aroma of apples and citrus fruits.
Narince from Melen Winery
An exquisite refreshing white wine that goes well with seafood, chicken and pasta.
The taste is dominated by citrus, peach and melon.
Angora by Kavaklidere
Red wine made from a blend of European and local grape varieties, among which Cabernet Sauvignon predominates.
A well-balanced drink of a rich dark ruby color with aroma of fruits and berries.
Pembe Köpük
One of the few Turkish-made sparkling drinks worthy of special mention.
Kavaklidere Winery produces rosé wine. The products have been awarded several times at international competitions.
Wine prices in Turkey are quite high
This is due to government policies that limit alcohol consumption. However, in many cases, the cost is justified: some connoisseurs compare local wines with French ones and believe that the former are not inferior to the latter.
You can evaluate the taste and quality of Turkish alcoholic beverages at specially organized tastings or while visiting restaurants.
Wine tours to Cappadocia and other regions are popular.
Buying expensive wines in stores is risky: there is no guarantee that the drinks were stored in appropriate conditions.
But simple, unpretentious grape products are quite acceptable to buy and try on your own: sometimes you can find quite decent specimens among them.
Update: 29.10.2018
Category: Wine and Vermouth