Your May 2024 Turkish Wine Horoscope
The beautiful weather of late has brought new energy and excitement to the air! It’s hard to not feel happy and upbeat with the sunny days. I don’t know about you, but I’m even getting up a little earlier, and less grumpy, than usual.
For many, this weather brings the desire to drink lighter and crisper wines. I know what I’m going to be drinking this month. What about you? Read on to find out!
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
May has something fun but a little scary in store for you, Aquarius! You need to stop being so serious and analytical. Don’t be afraid to do something if you don’t have all the information (you think you need). Life is essentially a playground; embrace that feeling you had as a child when creation and exploration were more uninhibited! Let curiosity guide you this month and get you out of your comfort zone. 
The wine for you …
To help get you in this more playful, flirtatious mood, try something a little off-beat this month. Kalecik Karası has proven to be one of the most flexible grapes in Turkey for what kind of wines it can produce. But (as far as I know), only one winery has decided to be weird enough to make it into a still white wine! This month, track down the Vino Dessera Blanc de Noir Kalecik Karası.
Often available at Carrefour, possibly Migros and Macro, and definitely at Apertif.
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
The concept of “home” means different things to different people. For you, it is the connection you feel to your local space. Not just where you live, but your people, your neighborhood. More than just a physical thing, for you home is the intimacy and comfort you feel with the places and the people with whom you have daily proximity. However, lately, you’re feeling restless when thinking about ‘home’. This month will be about trying to figure out whence comes that restlessness and what you might have to do to find that comfort again. 
The wine for you …
Homey is exactly what the Antioche Barburi is. IN so many ways! Antioche founder Abud Abdo remembers this grape from his childhood when he helped his grandparents forage for it and make wine. And as a wine, it’s as unpretentious, easy, and comfortable as it gets. This is a great drinking and food pairing red wine.
Find it at La Cave, Mensis Mahzen, Rind, possibly Macro Center, Casa Botti.
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
This month has a lesson in store for you about giving. Your time, talent, resources, whatever it is you have to give. But not in an indiscriminate or anonymous way. In a way that plugs you into your local community. Contribute your talents and energy, and in return, receive the warmth of mutual care and support. Share time, ideas, and your unique gifts with those around you. through this sharing, you can create experiences and meaningful connections that will enrich your life.
The wine for you …
Shockingly, some of the wineries here even cooperate pretty well. Granted they’re few and far between…but look at the Urla Bağ Yolu folks and how successful they’ve been in establishing their wine route (even if it would be better were they to make something other than a lot of insipid Cabernet Sauvignon…). Another form of cooperation we see is wineries like Aegean-based AkBerg and all the vineyard owners around the country with whom they work and from whom they buy grapes. That makes your wine this month, the AkBerg Lethe Erciş Karası.
Get it from places like Solera and Grand Cru. You might also find it at Grape Wine Spirits Boutique, Casa Bottie, and elsewhere.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Adventure, and the surge of refreshed energy and enthusiasm that go with it await you this month! However, not all adventures come in Tolkien packages that literally knock on your door to invite you. Sometimes you have to be on the lookout for one. Get yourself, your finances, your “house” in order early in the month so, when you find that adventure, you’re ready to hit the (metaphorical or not) road!
The wine for you …
Two people who know well about this are Fulya and José. This Turkish-Spanish winemaking wife-husband duo have made (and still are) wine for other Turkish wineries for years and they now have their own label. Your wine this month is Heraki Akuarela Sultaniye. And I know what you’re thinking. Sultaniye, really? Yes really! This is an exciting wine that will change the way you think about this grape and will maybe be your first step to exploring other new things.
Get it from places like Casa Botti, Grand Cru, Grape Wine Boutique, Mensis Mahzen, probably Mahzen 26, Santé Wine & More, and elsewhere.
Gemini (May 20 – June 20)
The month of May invites you to nurture your spiritual practice and carve out time for introspection and healing. Direct your attention to your overall well-being, which includes your physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual vitality. Prioritizing your needs will ripple positively into other areas of your life, including relationships. As you invest in your growth and wellness, you’ll naturally cultivate stronger connections and pave the way for relationship repair.
The wine for you …
Cultivating your health and spiritual vitality can lead to all manner of inspiration and adventure. Your wine this month reflects what can happen when someone has a healthy outlook. Canan Gerimli felt inspired to look around her region from something new and different and now we have several vintaged of the Gordias Fesleğen. Bright and citrusy, a few sips of this will help those positive ripples get underway.
This one is NOT easy to track down. But if you’re committed, places that have been known to carry it are Casa Botti and Solera. Dekante would also be a good bet. And of course you can always order from Canan!
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
May is a month of balance for you, Cancer. Balance between your outside life, and your own personal care. Be conscious of signs of burnout and attend to them with care and attention immediately. Instead of retreating, reach out to the people in your community for help and support. Isolation can be the culprit behind chronic mental health challenges. You are not meant to celebrate or struggle alone.
The wine for you …
This month, try a wine that’s a little more easy going. You’ve got enough on your plate without thinking about complicated wines! That makes your wine the Büyülübağ Ada Karası. This medium-weight red wine is not drowning in oak but has a strong kick of black pepper and pairs well with all your favorite meats, heavier fish, and veg…especially if you’ve already broken out the grill. And for the hot days, you can even drink this one lightly chilled.
Find this at Comedus, Mahzen 26, and Mensis Mahzen.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
Leo, your creativity is your superpower! Use it to springboard you this month into an exhilarating journey chasing new dreams and carving out your life’s legacy. Exciting opportunities you didn’t even consider may be on the horizon so keep your eyes, and your heart, open for them.
The wine for you …
Creativity takes on many forms. In the case of wine, sometimes that form is growing grapes outside of their place of origin. This month, try the Sobran Bağları Emir. Rather than buy in grapes from Cappadocia, Sobran has chosen to grow Emir in Denizli. A rather bold move for this grape. Does it taste like Emir? No. But it’s still an interesting and enjoyable wine in its own right.
Look for it in places like Solera, Mensis Mahzen, Grape Wine Spirits Boutique…it’s not on Online Mahzen’s list but they have other Sobran wines so they might be willing to add this.
Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
Your firmly held beliefs are starting to feel a little uncertain these days. Think about shaking up those old beliefs and embarking on a journey to expand your life’s principles. Dream big and ask yourself: what is the greatest contribution that you want to leave to the world? It’s about exploring new perspectives, embracing change, and discovering your unique gifts. 
The wine for you …
One long held belief that’s changing in the wine world is about the quality of the grape, Çalkarası. For years used only for table wine, or worse, dog killer, it is slowly building the reputation it deserves as a high-quality grape. Largely thanks to wineries like Paşaeli, Heraki, and Kuzubağ who are making excellent wine with it. This month, try Kuzubağ Çal Karası. This Cinderella grape is really starting to take the stage with higher quality bottlings than we’ve seen in the past and Kuzubağ is using it in several wines. A rich, red wine, not too big for the warm spring weather, this is a delicious wine to sip with cheese or pair with a full meal.
Find it at places like Casa Botti, Comedus, Grape Wine Boutique, Mensis Mahzen, Iyi Sarap, and Rind.
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
Take some time this month for yourself and for healing. Look into your past, recent and beyond for both the things that need to be healed and for lessons you haven’t yet carried forward. These moments of self reflection will help you find the resilience to emerge anew, ready to rebuild from the ground up. Allow yourself the space to grow and evolve, knowing that every step forward is a step towards a brighter future.
Wishing you strength and clarity for the month ahead, dear Libra.
The wine for you …
Something nice and easy for you this month, Libra. Open yourself a bottle of Corvus Teneia Çavuş. Çavuş is native (and exclusive) to Bozcaada. It’s wines are interesting without being complicated with a fat oiliness balanced by decent acidity and fruit flavors. They’re the perfect foil for the island cuisine of fish, seafood, and mezes.
Get it from Carrefour, Mensis Mahzen, Metro, possibly La Cave, Dekante, etc.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 22)
Life is all about relationships—the connections that shape your sense of self, past and present. This area of life might be both exciting and challenging at the moment, especially when you’re starting afresh or dealing with acute loss. If it’s the latter, allow yourself time to grieve. Reach out to those around you for support.
If your situation is the former and you’re starting afresh – you may still need to grieve before you can move forward. However, if you’re looking at a new relationship, embrace the excitement that comes with it!
The wine for you …
Maybe not about starting fresh, but your wine this month gives a fresh take on an otherwise kind of dull grape. Try the Ma’Adra Öküzgözü. Made with the carbonic maceration method, this is a fresh, enjoyable, and oh so “crushable” red wine perfect for this time of the year.
Now available at Mensis Mahzen!!
Sagittarius (November 23 – December 22)
Focus on your health this month, Sagittarius. You cannot juggle everything in your life if you are not in tip top condition. It’s a trite saying, but health is the gift that you can’t get back if you neglect it. Tend to yourself, to your nutrition, fitness, and mental health in order to best navigate the complexities of life.
The wine for you …
Kick back and relax this month with a nice, easy wine like the Tasheli Göküzüm Aküzüm. A blend of rare, local grapes from the Taurus Mountains, this wine delivers an aromatic profile that will keep you going back for another sip.
Look for it at Casa Botti, Mensis Mahzen, Santé Wine & More, and Solera.
Capricorn (December 23 – January 19)
Sometimes, pursuing your dreams and goals with serious determination and single-minded purpose is not the right way to go. That’s just exhausting. Try putting a different energy into your goals. Be fun, mischievous, flirt with it! It might sound a little weird, but maybe you need a different strategy and this can both provide you with a different inspiration, but also give you a little break from the intensity you’ve been living with.
The wine for you …
Want to drink something a little different this month to help get the vibe going? Try the 502 Vineyards Merzifon Karası. The newest winery in the Black Sea has embraced this local grape, making both a varietal wine and a blend with it. Merzifon Karası is a fruity grape with silky tannins and nice acidity and will put you in the flirty frame of mind.
So far, I’ve seen this at Iyi Sarap and Mensis Mahzen, but look for it to be elsewhere soon too!
Please Help Turkey and Syria!
Turkey and Syria are still in desperate need of help after the horrific earthquakes that have decimated large areas of Turkey’s south east and northern Syria, please consider donating to one of the relief efforts if you are able:
- Animal rights organization Haytap is helping animals affected by the earthquake, and displaced people who need a place to stay with their pets. Other animal-focused groups such as Dört Ayaklı Şehir (Four-Legged City) and Work Animals Rescue Foundation, are also helping farm animals, street animals, and pets.
- Donate to civil society groups working on the ground to provide immediate relief and medium- to long-term recovery to survivors via UK-based Turkey Mozaik Foundation or US-based Turkish Philanthropy Funds.
- Donate to the volunteer response being carried out in Turkey by the trusted, independent NGOs İhtiyaç Haritası (Needs Map) or Ahbap.
- Hayata Destek (Support to Life), is a Turkish NGO experienced in providing humanitarian relief and working with underserved communities.
- World Central Kitchen provides funds and food to those still living in tents in the affected areas.
- To support rescue efforts in Syria, donate to White Helmets and SAMS.
- Field Ready Türkiye (Sahaya Hazır İnovasyon Derneği) is a team of engineers working in Gaziantep, Turkey, and northwest Syria who make cheap, low-tech airbags for search and rescue from buildings which have collapsed. “If we move fast they can make more,” a good friend who previously worked with the team writes. “The workshops in Syria also have vast experience of fixing essential medical equipment, and making insulated shelters – both greatly needed right now”