Exploring the Sauvignons of Arcadia
I’ve never been entirely sure how my parents became a couple. Of course I’ve heard the story of how they met. But do I understand how it went further? Not so much. My mother’s family are almost all slightly hippy musicians and artists. She’s a classically trained singer 
and some of my earliest memories are of sitting in the theatre while she rehearsed. For about 15 years every summer her family held their own version of Woodstock. An all day food and music fest featuring any band a family member was in, the house band (i.e. my mom, aunts, and uncles), and culminated in a display of illegal fireworks.
My dad’s family is less quirky. They come from a more agricultural background. Several of his siblings are commercial farmers, orchardists, and/or raise animals. Or had what my mom called “hobby farms”. My dad was an electrical engineer but cultivated several acres of mixed fruit and vegetables. We also had chickens, rabbits, cows, horses, briefly sheep, and a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig. And while it might have been my dad’s hobby, my siblings and I got drafted into farm work too. His family reunions usually involve talk of farming, hunting, who made their own bow and arrows for the hunting…
Every time the two sides of my family get together I like to sit back and watch them interact with each other. My dad’s not a big talker so I am never quite sure what he thinks of my mom’s rather strange family. I’ve asked but he just half smiles at me.
Terroir wines
Wine is a lot like people. It has different personalities. Even wine made with the same grape can have vastly different flavor profiles. For people we often explain personality quirks by the environment in which they grew up. For wine we call that terroir.
With the mix of soils at its disposal, Arcadia Vineyards can create a breadth of wines, each with its own unique expression. Located in the valley below the Strandja Mountains, Arcadia has access to multiple micro climates. Various soils coming down from the mountains combined with those that emerged as the water from this former sea are receded. These soils gathered around the mini hills and valleys that make up Arcadia’s 200 hectare estate. Thanks to this mixing of soils, each of Arcadia’s vineyard parcels has different soil characteristics.
Working with famed viticultural consultant Prof. Dr. Alain Carbonneau, Arcadia chose grapes that would perform well in its cool
climate in varied soils. From grape selection to winemaking practices, Arcadia strives to create wines that reflect its terroir. Thanks to the multiple micro climates and soil types, Arcadia has both white and red wines that appeal to a wide range of taste.
Arcadia Mono Sauvignon Blanc 2015 Tasting Notes
Pale, brilliant lemon in the glass that is crystal clear despite Arcadia’s limited filtration. A fruity nose of citrus and apple mingles with green herbs and jalepeño. The spiciness underneath the fruit gave some nice character to the nose here. Lemon curd and stone fruits followed by mid palate minerality and a slightly bitter grapefruit pith finish.
A surprising alcohol level of 14.5% abv!! Arcadia’s deft hand at winemaking showed itself well here though. Fresh, clean, and well balanced with no hint of how high the alcohol was. This is a great go-to white wine with a price point as friendly as the wine.
Arcadia İlktepe Sauvignon Gris 2014 Tasting Notes
Currently in Turkey Sauvignon Gris appears only in Arcadia’s vineyards where it’s made into two varietal wines (İlktepe and Odrysia) and used in blends. The pretty, lemony yellow of the İlktepe Sauvignon Gris reflected the aromas within. Citrus, Meyer lemon, juicy pineapple and tropical flowers waft richly from the glass. Round and slightly oily on the palate but with clean acid and Arcadia’s signature elegance and balance (despite the 14% abv). Pineapple, blood orange, wet stone, and bitter almond slide smoothly through to a long, smoky finish.
Elegant and a little bit sexy.
Arcadia Odrysia Gris 2018 Tasting Notes
Like Sauvignon Gris, Pinot Gris is not super common in Turkey. Arcadia uses it both for blends like this as well as varietal wines. I’ve blogged before about the Mono Pinot Gris and the İlktepe Pinot Gris. Arcadia blended both its Sauvignon Gris and Pinot Gris to create the Odrysia Gris.
Comprised of mostly Sauvignon Gris (97.5%) and just a hint of Pinot Gris, this blend benefits from some breathing time to open up. The Odrysia Gris begins with a wealth of fruit and floral aromas. Bosch pear, lychee, white flowers, acacia flowers, and a whiff of the tropics romance the nose. Sipping reveals a slightly oily mouthfeel with flavors of red apples, lemon zest, and flowers. Marked by a long finish, this medium plus body wine finds elegance and balance despite the 14.5% abv.
Dangerously drinkable.
Arcadia İlktepe Sauvignon Blend 2009 Tasting Notes
When Istanbites and I visited the winery, Arcadia proprietor Zeynep Arca offered us a bottle of her very first Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Gris blend; the 2009. Despite her warning that she didn’t if it had held up or if we were going to 
open a bottle of vinegar, Istanbites and I jumped at the chance to try her first vintage.
Oh it held up.
The wine opened with yellow fruits; ripe Bosch pear and pineapple. White flowers, vanilla orchids, and beeswax add depth and complexity to the fruit aromas. Creamy and rich but a burst of green apple acid saved it from being heavy and flabby. The lower alcohol in the 2009 (13.4% abv) is something I wish I could see more of (in general, not just at Arcadia). The rich mouthfeel and flavors of pineapple and honeycomb with mineral edges made this a joy to drink.
Lovely wines all, these showcase Arcadia’s dedication to quality and highlighting the qualities the winery can draw out of its terroir.