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June 2019

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By 0Turkish Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews

  Nif Vineyards outside Izmir is owned an operated by the Özcan family. The powerhouse behind the winery is Gaye Özcan who spearheaded the winery's start up while still in her early 20's. When Gaye started planning the winery, the good old boys' club of the Turkish wine industry told her she had to plant Cabernet and Merlot. Without a Bordeaux-blend she could not achieve success. Her response: she planted Sangiovese. Gaye's approach to Bornova Misketi has been similar. Bornova Misketi belongs to the Muscat family. It's origin is the district of Bornova, near Izmir (hence its name). With its inherit rose garden floral aromas and the high levels of

By 0Turkish Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews

  I've read a few articles recently that suggest Sauvignon Blanc has become rather passé. New Zealand wines apparently have had their heyday. Sancerre no longer seems to garner the respect it once did. Luckily something's popularity has never been a factor in whether or not I like it. Frankly, if it did, I would not concentrate on Turkish wine. So it bothers me not in the least that some think Sauvignon Blanc is over. More for me! I unabashedly love this grape. As long as oak stays far far away. Which is generally my preference for any and all white wines. Sauvignon Blanc gives a wide range of flavors

By 0European Wines, Red Wine, Rest of the World, Rose Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews

  For something like 15 years I worked in DC and abroad on international development programs. My specialty was media development. While I focused the longest on the Balkans, shifts in funding priorities also had me working around the Middle East, Afghanistan, Cuba, and elsewhere. While I no longer do that work, it's because of it that I landed in Turkey. Where, after a fair few years of adulthood, I finally figured out what I want to be when I grown up. Hint: it's about wine. People haven't cornered the market on self reinvention. While it requires human intervention to do so, wine also goes through transformative periods. Take

By 0Rose Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  I've always wondered who has the fantastic job of naming colors. The big Crayola crayon box had not only an amazing array of color, but a dizzying number of color names. My favorite color was the deeply unPC "Indian Red", that rich, reddish-brown color. Nail polish! Nail polishes have crazy names. I'm currently wearing one called "Famous" which is a bronzey tan and another called "Valuable Petroleum" which is a shimmery marine blue. How do you get this job? Once in high school chemistry we did an experiment that was supposed to turn a bunch of vials of something certain colors. Then we had to describe the colors. I

By 0Red Wine, Turkish Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews

  One of the magical things about living in Turkey is how one seems to stumble across history everyone one goes. Sometimes its obvious. In Istanbul the Haghia Sofia and Sultanahmet Camii (the Blue Mosque) dominate the skyline. Every time I fly into Izmir I remember that it used to be called Smyrna. In Cappadocia I've explored cave churches that belonged to early Christians. And never have I been more aware of the history here than since I began researching Turkish wine. Its history goes back at least to the Hittites who ruled Anatolia from 1650 BC.  Take a step back in time The ancient region of Cappadocia remains one of

By 0European Wines, Red Wine, Rest of the World, Wine Reviews

  Duty Free has long been my friend while living in Turkey. Often shopping in duty free is the only place I can find (non Turkish) wines at a fair price. After five and a half years of stopping for my allotted bottles on the way back into Turkey I've pretty much gone through their limited collection of Italian and Spanish wines. The Bodegas Montecillo DOC Gran Reserva 2008 was one of those I picked up. The Rioja Classifications I love Spanish wine. Rioja might be the most famous region but it's really not my favorite. However in the limited market here beggars can't be choosers! If I am going to be

By 0Red Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  When I first started seriously drinking Turkish wine my strategy was simple. Start at the bottom shelf at my local Carrefour and drink my way up. That strategy worked pretty well for me. Not the least because as I made my way towards the pricier bottles the Turkish Lira began its downwards trajectory; making those upper shelf wines less expensive than when I started. I soon discovered the downside to my plan. I had begun ignoring all the new wines that came into the middle of the shelf. Whether subconsciously or due to a snobby belief that mid range Turkish wine had nothing more to offer me, I don't

By 3Amber Wine, Amphora, Orange Wine, Red Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  My first introduction to raw wine happened before I even know what raw wine was. Georgia. Long before it became a Top 10 travel destinations, my colleagues in the international development world were traveling to and raving about the country. And bringing back wine for the office. Since moving to Turkey I have taken full advantage of being only a short flight away and have made several trips. One was in May 2017 for the back-to-back Zero Compromise natural wine and New Wine festivals. It was at Zero Compromise where I met Udo Hirsch. Wine crosses all nationalities, borders, and cultures No, you’re not wrong. Udo is not a Turkish