Blanc De Noir Wines from Vino Dessera
The popularity of blanc de noir wines (white wine made with black grapes) is on the rise in Turkey. The wines are made with everything from native to international varieties in both still and sparkling styles. Thracian winery Vino Dessera has thrown its hat in the ring with two different wines.
Affordable Luxury
Vino Dessera was established in 2012, but to understand the full story of these fields we need to jump a little further back. When the owner’s first grandchild was born, abiding by a very thoughtful Anatolian tradition, he planted approximately 600 walnut trees along the green slopes of Thrace. And, as it turns out, he never stopped. Motivated partially by self-competition, when his second grandchild was born, he planted wine grapes in 2000. And, so too was the winery born. Today, the vineyard is a family-run operation growing both international and local grapes and producing approximately 100,000 bottles every year.
Vino Dessera’s corks carry the Latin ‘in vino veritas‘ aphorism we all know and love. But there is a different truth here, one of affordable luxury. Doğan Dökmez, now in charge of the family vineyard and winery, strongly believes that drinking good wine is not a privilege of the wealthy. The winery offers several levels of wine across a series of labels (including Arra Sarranda, Vino Dessera, and VD). While the vineyards, grapes, blends, and winemaking techniques all differ the one thing that does not is the guarantee of quality.
Vino Dessera 2016 Blanc de Noirs Shiraz
I had never had a blanc de noir wine made from Shiraz before I visited Vino Dessera. I’m not sure even after that I’m a huge proponent for a white Shiraz but I must admit that this was a nice, easily drinkable wine.
The nose was like a breath of summer full of fresh, dewy berries and floral aromas. Lovely balance on the palate with an exciting zip of acid, white flowers, summer fruits, stone, and mineral.
Vino Dessera 2015 Blanc de Noirs Kalecik Karası
For a summer this was the best selling white wine at the boutique wine shop Vinus. At only 12.5% abv it certainly was at a perfect alcohol level for a summer tipple. And like the above Syrah this blanc de noir with the native Kalecik Karası grape evokes summer.
Aromas of flowers, citrus, and crushed berries and strawberries, like the perfect summer perfume, swirl out of the glass. Had I smelled this blindfolded I would have thought it were a very delicate rosé. The palate was clean and while not flabby had the feeling of soft water. Everyone who grew up in the country with well water knows what I’m talking about! The flavor here was all about white strawberries. Which I Googled; they are a thing.
Two light and lovely blanc de noirs style wines to add to Vino Dessera’s excellent line up!