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May 2025

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By 0Turkish Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews

  When Ardıç Gürsel founded her Vinkara winery in 2003, she did it with one main goal: introduce the world to native Turkish grapes. It seems rather unbelievable that as little as 20 to 25 years ago, Turkish grapes were relatively unknown, even in Turkey! Dr. Şeyla Ergenekon's Book Türk Şarapları published in 2002, addresses only 14 native grapes. Sure, people were making wine with native grapes, I mean, obviously. But any commercial reach was limited, which makes Ardıç's goal (and all those who still share it) so very important.  Having founded her winery in Kalecik, the initial focus was on the region's very own grape: Kalecik Karası. Vinkara has

By 0European Wines, Red Wine, Wine Reviews

  Have you ever wondered what kind of wine Homer drank? It seems that he was a fan of Limnio, (one of) the oldest grape variety in Greece.  This month, Susannah of Avvinare invited the #WorldWineTravel group to explore the lesser-known wine regions of the world. Greek wine has seen a major increase in popularity over the last few years, especially in America. However, mostly what people know is Santorini and Assyrtiko. Or, maybe you've heard of the Peloponnese and Agiorgitiko. But not many people have heard of or had wine from the Slopes of Meliton in Macedonia. PDO Slopes of Meliton/ΠΟΠ Πλαγιές Μελίτωνα Situated in the southern part of

By 8Amber Wine, Articles, Orange Wine, Red Wine, Rose Wine, Sparkling Wine, Turkish Wine, White Wine

  Wow, April was something else, wasn't it?  Ah, May—after the cold-warm-cold of April, the world has finally awakened. Green, leafy trees, blooming flowers, spring has sprung! Hopefully, it's finally time to shake off the winter blues, swap sweaters for sunshine, and see what the stars might have in store. Whether you're planting literal seeds in your garden or metaphorical ones in your career, love life, or personal goals, this is your cosmic cue to grow.  So, what will you be drinking this bright and, fingers crossed, warm and cheerful month? Read on to discover your future! Aries (March 21 - April 19) Listen up, Captain Get-It-Done—yes, you! You’ve been flying solo like

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

  Disclaimer: This post includes wines received as a sample. All opinions are my own. Just when you thought Heraki winery couldn’t get any better… they've dropped new wines that’ll make your taste buds dance. Alternately bold, unexpected, and impossibly smooth — these bottles are the next chapter in your wine love story. Are you ready to uncork something unforgettable? And yes, these aren't exactly "new" anymore. But we all know that my writing usually lags a bit behind my drinking! Heraki Heraki’s story could easily be told as a love letter to Turkey. Founded in 2019 by Fulya Akinci and José Hernandez-Gonzalez —whose names combine to form “Heraki”—the winery is a tribute to their

By 0Rest of the World, White Wine, Wine Reviews

  For over 100 years, Grace Wine has been a leading figure in Japanese wine production and in the advancement of Japan's own Koshu grape. Thanks to a friend who carried a bottle from Japan to Istanbul, I got the chance to try one of the winery's Koshu wines.  Grace Wine Grace Wine began in 1923 under the name Chotaro Brand Budoshu. Chotaro Misawa founded the company in the town Katsunuma, in the Yamanashi Prefecture district Higashiyamanashi just north of Mount Fuji. By 1953, under his grandson Kazuo Misawa, the company's name officially changed to 'Grace' and Kazuo launched his first wine in 1957. Over the next 65 years, Grace Wine grew

By 8Amphora, Articles, Red Wine, Rose Wine, Sweet Wine, Turkish Wine, White Wine

  Spring has officially sprung! Sure, the temperature dropped a bit there in March, but (knock on wood) we seem firmly settled into spring now. I don't especially have a green thumb. That does not stop me from gardening though and I am full on into it. April showers bring May flowers and all that. I'm thinking of buying a grow lamp for the darker rooms in my apartment. Do you like to garden? What are your favorite things to do when that fresh smell of spring fills the air?  April can be a beautiful month, especially with the tulip festival coming soon! But spring is a harsh season. Rebirth

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

  Since my last post had me mourning my inability to travel this spring and waxing lyrical about last year's March trip to Bologna, it seemed only fair I should also remember fondly a domestic trip from last March: Mudurnu.  Mudurnu is a deep-rooted historic town located in the western Black Sea, in the province of Bolu. A historic guild town situated on the Silk Road, it was an important center of trade, crafts, and culture in the early Ottoman period.  [easy-image-collage id=21175] Nestled in the Mudurnu Stream valley, the town stretches between the rocky and forested hills of the Abant Mountains to the northeast, the Kocaman Mountains in the southwest, and

By 0European Wines, Red Wine, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews

  This post contains affiliate links I am semi-recently unemployed and poor. One of my cost-saving methods (aside from no longer buying wine like it's going out of style) is to cease traveling, which is depressing. Especially since quick and easy access to Europe is a good third of the reason I put up with living in Istanbul. Nowadays though, my travel takes place mostly in memory. [easy-image-collage id=21131] This time last year, I enjoyed a few days in Modena and Bologna. If only I could be there now!  Bologna After arriving in Bologna, I did a quick little walk around the center to orient myself before heading off to complete my first mission:

By 0Red Wine, Rest of the World, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  Turkey and Australia both being what they are, this will merely be the first of many Turkey vs Australia Shiraz taste offs! Shiraz (or Syrah, both names are used here) is massively popular in Turkey. Despite the preponderance of imitation Bordeaux blends, Shiraz is the most planted of any international grape. At least as of the last numbers I saw. Varietal Shiraz is the most common, but it also appears in blends. Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah blends have gained a lot of popularity here. It sneaks into what would otherwise be a Bordeaux blend. And one producer, Kayra, is even doing a traditional Côte Rôtie-style Syrah-Viognier blend. So, there's a lot of