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Your August 2024 Turkish Wine Horoscope

 

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Summer is horrible. The entire season should be eliminated. Let’s just extend spring and fall a month a and a half each and skip this miserable, hot, sweaty, can’t afford air conditioning period. 

Let’s get on to what we’re drinking in August!

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)

You’ve been spending a lot of quality time with your favorite people. Time with friends and family have invigorated you with passion and enthusiasm and you’ve strengthened your bonds with them by tending to their needs.  Other people’s problems are often easier to navigate than your own. But consider this: Are you avoiding the mess in your own life by fixing other people’s?

The wine for you …

This month try 7Bilgeler Vindemia Defne Emir. Bilge Yamen started his winery with wines made entirely from international grapes. Slowly slowly, he he turned his attention to wines made from native grapes. Not exactly from his specific mahalle…but he draws grapes from various parts of the country, like the Defne Emir from Cappadocia. And who knows, maybe the ancient sages who inspired him will help you figure out things this month. 

Find this at Dekante, Mahzen 26, Mensis Mahzen, Comedus, Rind, and Santé Wine & More.

 Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

Balance, balance, balance. Every month one or another of the signs needs a helpful reminder about how important this is in one’s life. This month, take the note and liven up your daily routines. Working hard doesn’t have to be boring drudgery that leaves no room for anything else. Treat yourself to a cookie or pastry in the morning with your coffee. Take a few minutes during the afternoon for a walk, or go play with street kitties (assuming you live in Turkey!). Making space for these little treats to yourself will bring color and vitality to your gray days.

The wine for you …

Treat yourself this August with a bottle of the Yaban Sungurlu Pet-Nat. Yaban, along with winemaker José Hernandez-Gonzalez, has been working with Sungurlu for a couple years now. They work hard so that you can enjoy what they’ve created! Make this one of your little treats this month and you’ll be the happier for it. 

Look for it at La Cave, Mensis Mahzen, Kiffe, Biblioteca, Casa Botti, Grand Cru, Santé Wine & More, and Gözde Tekel.

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

Be like the tortoise this month, Aries. Slow and steady. Your focus this month should be on work (be it office or at home). And no, work isn’t exactly rainbow and puppies level fun for most of us, but you shouldn’t rush through tasks. Like wine, quality over quantity is what’s important. Breezing through tasks without precision could lead to careless mistakes that cost you time or come back to bite you in the future.

The wine for you …

Speaking of quality over quantity. When grown in bulk, grapes often lose any intensity in flavor and produce low-quality table wines. Grapes grown in smaller quantities however, especially those on old vines, have a completely different story. This month, try something made with great attention to detail with quality grapes, like the Heraki Delta V Sultaniye. Fruity with butter biscuit, smoke, and tingling acidity, it’s a wine that will energize you to move forward. 

Find it at Grape Wine Boutique, La Cave, Casa Botti, Grand Cru, Kibbe, Mensis Mahzen, Santé Wine & More.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

August is telling you that it’s time to mix it up, Taurus! Reconsider  whether you are getting the same enjoyment from your hobbies. Maybe it’s time to explore something new. If nothing grabs you immediately, explore some workshops. Try being a tourist in your own city and discover a new museum or neighborhood you’ve never seen (did you know there are at least TWO cat museums in Istanbul?!).

The wine for you …

This month, explore a new style of wine like Midin Pembehi. A fresh perspective on Öküzgözü-based rosés, Midin adds just a touch of the white Bilbizeki. Not for color, but for the acidity this grape brings to the often flabby Öküzgözü. 

Get it at places like Mahzen 26, Mensis Mahzen, possibly Solera…I know I’ve seen these around elsewhere…

Gemini (May 20 – June 20)

They say that being nice doesn’t cost anything. You are innately popular and expressive. Your ability to make people laugh is part of your natural charm. Approach everyone with warmth and friendliness, and leave a good and lasting impression in every environment. You’ll be thankful you did when misunderstandings emerge or worse, when a real mistake happens.  People will see that you had good intentions and will not blame you too harshly or hold any grudges.

The wine for you …

As a twin personality, you will appreciate a wine that has a 50/50% split! Sevilen’s Colombard Semillon is what happens when a winemaker gets creative! Sevilen’s head winemaker Sibel Çoban took these two grapes, long grown by the winery but never used in quality wine, and blended them. To top it off, she slapped on a fabulous half horse/half octopus label. Because why not?!

Find it at stores like Macro Center and Migros.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

Miscommunication presents challenges in August. Make sure that you know what other people are trying to communicate to you. This will help avoid making assumptions and creating bad feelings. You really don’t want to leave bad feelings in your wake for general karma, but also because you might find yourself needing support from others. You may not know to whom to turn during your emotional storms, especially if you’re wrapped up in disagreements with your friends. But don’t worry, you will find comfort and support from your friends and family.

The wine for you …

Comfort can also be found in a good, solid wine company that always delivers, like Vinkara. Reach for the Vinkara Doruk Narince. Simple but delicious, enjoy it on its own or with pretty much whatever you’re serving…it’s hard to go wrong here!

Look for it at places like Carrefour, Migros, Macro Center, La Cave, Mensis Mahzen, Iyi Sarap, Savoy Tekel, Gözde Tekel, and so on.

Note: It’s now a different label now than the one pictured.

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

You’re always the main character, Leo, but that’s especially true this August. It is your birthday! Well, it’s mine anyway. Channel your inner peacock and make your presence known this month with a flamboyant and unforgettable wardrobe. But beware: don’t go so over the top with that budget on your wardrobe. Stay disciplined with your spending or you may soon regret it. Looking good doesn’t pay the bills.

The wine for you …

This month, drink a wine as big and flamboyant as you are! Kastro Tireli Hermos Bornova Misketi is not only an incredible example of amber wine done right, it reveals an aspect of this showy grape that’s like nothing you’ve ever experienced. It may even be how Muscat grapes are meant to be. 

This was a small production and isn’t available everywhere. Rind and Online Mahzen definitely have it, Sensus in Kuruçeşme will, Casa Botti, Santé Wine & More, Dekante, and Grape Wine Boutique all seem like likely places.

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

With your shield or on it, Virgo. This month, (re)discovery your power and bravery. Wield it wisely on a journey of self-reflection and consider how you can use your power to improve in certain areas. Don’t pick apart your flaws or be mean to yourself on this journey. No one is perfect. This is about finding your strength and how you can put it to good use. Let the wisdom gained during this period of reflection inspire you to reinvent the parts of yourself that don’t make you happy.

The wine for you …

Vinolus knows about being brave. Oluş Molu opened a winery in hyper conservative Kayseri and, despite intense backlash from locals, soldiers on. Take inspiration from her fortinute this month and try the Vinolus Rosé! Vibrant, fresh, and fruity, it will put you in the mood for loooove. But do not mistake this for a “girly” wine. Unless it’s a girl with a strong right hook because this will knock you flat with its high alcohol.

You’re likely to find this at places like Casa Botti, Dekante, Grape Wine Boutique, Mensis Mahzen etc.

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

The charisma and confidence that are such a natural part of your personality are gaining you attention from all the right places. Demonstrate your trustworthiness and maturity to those around you and you may soon find leadership roles interesting opportunities opening up before you. Let yourself sparkle and shine in these roles, but don’t forget to take moments throughout the month to rest and restore your energy and strength reserves.

The wine for you …

If you’re going to shine, then you need a shiny, fantastic wine that can keep up with you! That’s why this August (and possibly every month thereafter) you should check out Kuzubağ Fume Blanc. If you’re hesitant to get it because you don’t like oaked wines, no worries here. Yes, it’s been partially aged in oak, but with such a deft hand it only highlights the beautiful Sauvignon Blanc. Personally, I think this is one of the best examples of a Fumé Blanc that we have here. 

Get it from shops like Mensis Mahzen, Comedus, Iyi Sarap, Rind, likely Casa Botti, and more. 

Scorpio (October 23 – November 22)

Bold, dignified, and courageous, you are stepping out into the world as the best version of yourself. Don’t attempt to put on a show; be real and you will attract positive attention. And yet, not everything is balloons and rainbows this month (sorry). You may find yourself forced to reconsider certain dreams that haven’t manifested. This will be especially true for your career goals. However, the friends on whom you’ve been showering your attention will have your back during this unsteady period.

The wine for you …

A winemaker’s goal is often to bring out the best version of whatever grape they’re working with. What is interesting about wine is that there might not be just one best version of a grape. Muscat grapes, for examples, can be amazing sweet or dry. Try one version this month with the Vino Dessera Muscat of Alexandria. A dry but highly aromatic wine full of garden roses, juicy melon, and citrus. Very pretty, and perfect for the warmer weather we’re having! 

Look for it at Aperitivo for sure…anywhere else you find it, let me know!

Sagittarius (November 23 – December 22)

August brings new ambitions and dreams into your life. Follow your instincts to travel, learn, and explore. Share whatever new passions and inspiration you discover this month. You are often in a position in which people look up to you or rely on you for direction. Guide them with your enthusiasm and the knowledge you have gained this month. But don’t let a difficult chapter this month knock your confidence. You are worthy, even if you don’t have all the answers.

 The wine for you …

Passion leads us down all sorts of roads. For example, it led Kayra to create an ‘experimental series’ to play with grapes, vineyards, and wine styles its never worked with before. Try the debut wine from this line, the Kayra Old Vines Semillon. Semillon has a long history in Turkey and the vines for this wine are 60 + year old bush vines from Şarköy. The age of the vines adds complexity to the wine which Kayra did a good job making. Let this one warm up for 10-15 minutes after you take it out of the fridge. You’ll miss a lot in this one if you drink it too cold.

Get it from Carrefour, La Cave, Macro Center, Mensis Mahzen, possibly Casa Botti and Dekante…

Capricorn (December 23 – January 19)

People express their love in different ways. Affirmations, gifts, physicality…this month, express your love to people by sharing words of wisdom. Freely give people your empathy, support, and patience. However, beware of inserting your opinion when you don’t have enough information.

The wine for you …

This month, you need a wine with energy and balance like Doluca’s Tanit (white), a blend of Chardonnay and Fiano. It’s crisp and bright and just perfect for this weather! If you’re an ABC (anything but Chardonnay!) never fear! I find most people are anti Chardonnay not because of the grape, but because of the oak. None of that happening here.

A little hard to find (try larger Macro Centers or Dekante) but totally worth it. Fresh, lively, and exactly what you need!

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”