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HOW IT BEGAN

ANDREA LEMIEUX

I have been interested casually in wine for years. However, it wasn’t until I moved to Turkey in 2012 that my interest morphed from casual to full blown. It seems odd that moving to a Muslim country would set me on this path. However, Turkey is, in fact, one of the oldest wine-producing countries in the world. While its modern production remains relatively unknown, the wines made here have as much potential to be beautiful and epic as wine anywhere else. And often the story behind the wine is just as fascinating.

I am WSET L2 certified and earned the Italian Wine Scholar certification through the Wine Scholar Guild. After completing The Essential Guide to Turkish Wine in the autumn of 2021, I’m hard at work on edition 2…as well as a few other exciting book projects! 

I became an accidental champion for Turkish wine about a year after I moved to Istanbul. One night, while regaling a friend with a review of how awful one particular Turkish wine was, she joked that I should start blogging reviews of all the Turkish wines so other people don’t have to make my mistakes. And so, it began!

What has followed have been five years now of exploring Turkish wine, deeper learning, connecting to other wine writers, and visiting Turkish vineyards and wineries. It began as a hobby but has become a passion. I gained my WSET I credentials here in Turkey. While my score is a mere “pass” I think I deserve a little extra credit for doing it in Turkish! I’m hoping as well to take the WSET 3 in the semi-near future. In the meantime, I read, write, and most of all drink my way to knowledge.

STUFF I DO

As a wine expert specializing in Turkish wine, just like the grape itself, there are many varieties of services I offer.

Wine Tasting

I offer Turkish wine tasting events for wine lovers of all experience levels. In addition to the public events, I am also host private tasting events.

Concierge Sommelier Services

Overwhelmed by a restaurant wine list, the wall of wine at the market, or if you’re just new to the world of wine…message me and I’ll help guide you towards the best bottle for your taste and wallet!

Education and Advocacy

I work with some of the most knowledgeable oenophiles in Turkey to collect information on the country’s grapes, wines, and history and present the information through infographics, interactive maps, and stories.

Wine Writing

I post wine reviews twice a week (#WineWednesday and #SundaySips) but also write longer, more in-depth articles about the Turkish wine world.

Custom-built Wine Tours

I create personalized itineraries including wineries as well as restaurant, points of interest, hotel, and route recommendations. If you’re not a Turkish speaker I can also make appointments and reservations for you.

Personalized Wine Collection Assistance

Looking to build a wine collection? Want to know the best Turkish wine to take home as a souvenir or gift? Let me help you create your own wine profile and suggest the best wines for you.

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