Kavaklidere Selection Narince Emir 2013
I’m quite fascinated by both composers and perfumers. Two completely different careers but requiring similar skills. Even the language used in both shares words. High notes, top notes, mid tones, low notes… How does a composer understand which notes will make a beautiful melody and not a cacophony? Or a perfumer what blend of aromas balances rather than overwhelms?
Winemakers also have this skill. Blending wine requires not only an understanding of what each grape on its own tastes like; but also how they will compliment-or not-another. In Turkey, the two most commonly blended grapes are black varieties, Öküzgözü and Boğazkere. These two have a very Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon-like relationship. Blending Turkish white varieties seems less common. Certainly none of the white grapes have a natural affinity for each other like Öküzgözü and Boğazkere. So I find it interesting to see what people will play with.
Kavaklidere Selection Narince Emir 2013 Tasting Notes
For this wine, Kavaklidere chose to blend Narince and Emir. Not an unheard of blend but neither is it a usual one. I do see how the two could fit together though, especially depending on where Kavaklidere sources its Narince. Unfortunately I don’t know the blend percentage here. However, the pale, silvery lemon color of the wine makes me think that Emir played more than a minor role against the more intensely colored Narince.
Citrus fruit and lemon oil immediately make themselves known in the nose. A tangy minerality and flint follow. A very smooth and sexy palate with citrus, green apple, mineral, mid-palate roundness from the Narince, and fresh herbs in the back. Overall medium body with 13.5% abv and a nice long finish.
A very lovely wine from Kavaklidere featuring two of Turkey’s native white grapes.