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January 2023

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By 0Turkish Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews

  Several years ago, when I interviewed people from Asmadan winery for the book, they mentioned they were growing Macabeo. But then there was nothing, and still nothing so I thought maybe I heard wrong. Last fall I learned that I had not heard wrong! Asmadan brought a new wine to one of GustoBar's big tasting events, Vals Macabeo Narince. We know that my whole raison d'être is native grapes. But that doesn't mean I still don't get excited when a new, weird international grape shows up here. And with this wine, I get the best of both worlds! Macabeo (aka Viura) comes from the Pyrenees in north and east Spain

By 1Red Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  Foça Karası is a grape we still don't know a lot about in Turkey. In Greece, where it's known as Fokiano, it's grown mostly on two or three of the Aegean islands where they use it in red, rosé, and sweet wines. In Turkey, Foça Karası grows in the Aegean region in the (surprise) Foça district outside Izmir. Two of the Urla wineries include small amounts in red blends and Öküzgözü Şarapçılık has been the only winery making varietal wines with the grape.  Until now.  I don't write about Yazgan a lot. Partially because I've had cause several times to be highly annoyed with them but also because, aside from the

By 0Amber Wine, Orange Wine, Turkish Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews

  Wine trends may come late to Turkey, but when they comes they do it with a vengeance. One of the most recent to sink its teeth in has been that of "natural" wine. And we all know how I feel about that. The next person who emails me to say they're coming to Turkey and want wine recommendations but "I/we  only drink natural or at least biodynamic wine" I will hunt down this person and punch them in the face. So, please, don't send me that email. Small rant aside, let's talk about the Kastro Tireli Hermos line. Kastro Tireli's wines have always been "natural" adjacent as the winery

By 0Red Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  Akberg winery is off and running since its addition of "real" vs fruit wine (for more on that check out this post). While it puts a heavy emphasis on native grapes with wines from Narince, Bornova Misketi, Papazkarası, and lesser known varieties like Osmanca; the winery also makes a few international grape-based wines. I first tried their Shiraz, which they source from vineyards in Denizli in the inner Aegean, at one of GustoBar's tasting events. It wasn't my favorite (spoiler) but I found it

By 1Articles, Red Wine, Rose Wine, Sparkling Wine, Turkish Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews

  Every year - well every year that I remember - I like to do a quick review of the wines I posted about during the year that I most enjoyed, that most surprised me, etc. So with no further ado, let's jump into my favorite Turkish wines of 2022! My Favorite Sparkling Wines Sparkling wines are always going to be at the tippy top of my list! Not many new sparkling wines were released this year but, even if it were the only one, the Arcadia Pét-Nat Sauvignon Gris would still sit at the top of the tippy top.  Yaşasın is not new but it still makes my list. This year, I

By 0European Wines, White Wine, Wine Reviews

  Have you ever heard of Kabar? If you know wine from Tokaj or from Hungary at all, you've probably had some Furmint and Hárslevelű. You've probably also had Kabar though without even knowing it. We don't see a lot of varietal Kabar, but Bükk-based winery Gallay Kézmüves Pince is changing that.  Gallay Kézműves Pince is the first family-owned and operated small production winery in the heart of Bükk region in Nyékládháza (located pretty much halfway between Eger and Tokaj). The family has 11 hectares there on which they raise Cserszegi Fűszeres, Kabar, Pinot Blanc, Zenit, Turán, and Zweigelt. Since they established their winery in 2012, they have maintained their dedication

By 2Articles, Red Wine, Turkish Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews

  Happy 2023 to everyone! Who's made a resolution for the new year? Share in the comments below!  I'm not one for resolutions generally but I can tell you one I shall NOT be making and that's dry January. Dry January?! Obviously that's not happening here. Start the year the way you intend to end it; pickled. I already have a few wines lined up for myself for this month. What will you be drinking? Read on to find out! Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) Does anyone else silently sing the Aquarius song from Hair when they hear the word? No? Just me