One of the world of wine's "everything old is new again" biggest topics must be skin-contact white wine. Call it skin-contact white wine, amber wine, or orange wine
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The twenty-first century may still be fairly young but the wine world has already been rocked by a movement as big as it is controversial. Natural wine. While winemakers in several countries could argue that this is hardly new; much of the west treats it like a spanking new phenomenon. As we see natural wines popping up all over it seems to be a case of ‘better late than never.’ And now, the latest country to jump on the bandwagon is one of the oldest winemaking countries: Turkey. Where then, does Turkey enter this picture? Over the last 15 years in particular the wine industry in Turkey has leapt
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Established in 2002 by wine and beer importer Seyit Karagözoğlu, Paşaeli is, in my opinion, one of Turkey’s most valuable wineries. More than just creating quality wine, Paşaeli is of the Turkish wineries making huge efforts to revive rare and dying grape varieties. While Paşaeli does turn out a couple of the Bordeaux-style blends that are endlessly popular in Turkey. I’ve had the Kaynaklar and K2 blends several times and they’re very good. But the heart and soul of this winery are the grapes you’ve never heard of. A big believer in growing things where they are native, Karagözoğlu set about collecting vineyards where Turkey’s native grapes thrive naturally. Paşaeli has vineyards in
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Narince is perhaps the most ubiquitous of the native white Turkish vitis vinifera. Its native home is in the alluvial soils of the Black Sea region, specifically Tokat; but it is cultivated across Turkey including in the Aegean and Thracian regions. Winemakers are using Narince for everything from still white to traditional method sparkling wines and even skin contact amber. What is it though that makes this grape so great? Meet Narince A somewhat late ripening berry, Narince is harvested in the second half of September, which provides a unique challenge to many winemakers. Third party growers rather than wineries own the vast majority of Narince vineyards in Tokat. They
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My first introduction to raw wine happened before I even know what raw wine was. Georgia. Long before it became a Top 10 travel destinations, my colleagues in the international development world were traveling to and raving about the country. And bringing back wine for the office. Since moving to Turkey I have taken full advantage of being only a short flight away and have made several trips. One was in May 2017 for the back-to-back Zero Compromise natural wine and New Wine festivals. It was at Zero Compromise where I met Udo Hirsch. Wine crosses all nationalities, borders, and cultures No, you’re not wrong. Udo is not a Turkish
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I go back to the States maybe once a year is all. For the last two years those have been work trips to DC. While I’ve been able to see friends, and during my latest trip in March, was also able to sneak out to Vegas for a few days to meet my bff’s new baby, I have not made it “home” for almost two years. These last few years, should anyone ask me where home is I would say Istanbul. My life is here as are my work, my cat, and most importantly, my wine collection. However, Michigan will never not be home as well. A true
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I first encountered Our Wine at the 2017 Zero Compromises wine festival in Tbilisi. The No Compromises festival features wines that are organic, biodynamic, and/or fall into that loosely defined “natural” category. As one of the first biodynamic producers in Georgia, it was no surprise to see Our Wine there. Our Wine Our Wine (initially called the Prince Makashvili Cellar) is a family run winery established in 2003 and led by winemaker Soliko Tsaishvili. Tsaishvili produces high quality natural wines using old Georgian viticulture and winemaking methods with the fermentation, maceration, and maturation taking place in qvevri (large clay amphora that are buried). As a result, his white wines have had a lot of skin
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Tanini was one of my favorite winery finds at Tbilisi’s New Wine Festival this year. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get a bottle of their rose to bring home though. The Tanini Qvevri Mtsvane amber wine more than made up for any disappointment though! Tannins, tannins, tannins Tanini is the brain child of Emzar Vasadze who makes traditional Georgian wines in Kakheti. Using only native grapes, he produces Saperavi, Tavkveri, Mtsvane, Rkatsiteli, Kisi, and Saperavi Rose wines; mostly in qvevri. Georgian wines, particularly qvevri wines, are knows for being pretty tannic and he took the name of his wine, Tanini, for that quality. But wait, what are qvevri and amber wines? I am by no means
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While we were in Sighnaghi KMac and I made a point to find the Okro winery and restaurant one evening. When we arrived one of the family members showed us around their cellar and answered our exhaustive questions. Of course we then stayed for a tasting and to have dinner. To accompany the excellent food we ordered my favorite bottle from the tasting: the 2014 Okro Mtsvane. Shades of green Mtsvane, which means “green” in Georgian, has six different, genetically unique, variations. The two most common of which are Mtsvane Kakhuri and Goruli Mtsvane. I am not positive which of the two Okro used. I know she told us told but unfortunately I misplaced
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