Articles

  Well. August sure was eventful. Advertising alcohol has been banned in Turkey for over 10 years. At the time of the initial ban, social media platforms like Instagram were still very new and not so popular. As such, the law really only accounted for websites as online platforms and for years now, Instagram has been a bit of a loophole. July saw that that language tightened specifically stating that alcohol producers and sales points (shops, bars, restaurants, etc) could no longer post images of branded alcohol as that would be considered "advertising."  Beginning August first, that ban was extended to private individuals. Anyone reported violating the ban faces heavy

  I've mentioned a fair few times that "natural" wine drives me crazy. So, I'd like to look at what natural wine is, what it isn't, why it annoys me, and natural wine in Turkey.  But just to clarify before you get into the weeds of the below post: I do not actually dislike natural wine.  What Is Natural Wine? Well that's a good question and it largely depends on whom you ask. Generally, though what most people agree on is: Grapes are farmed biodynamically, organically, and/or with sustainable practices Winemaking is carried out with little to no chemical or technological manipulation Wines are fermented spontaneously with native yeast No additives are

  It's August!! Why am I so excited for this typically hottest, most unbearable month of the year? It's my birthday! It's all about meeee!!!! While I won't be saying which birthday, I will be posting about the wines I'm so excited to drink on the day. Whether or not those are what my horoscope says I should be drinking remains to be seen.  But forget about me for a nanosecond, what's going on with you this month? What will you be drinking? Read on to find out.  And remember, if you're not somewhere with easy access to Turkish wine, don't hesitate to reach out (to me, the universe doesn't always respond

  Another month come and gone. I don't know about you, but for me it was sweaty and borderline icky (no klima here) and crazy busy. It'll be months before I get a chance to write up all the wine activities I attended. Not that I'm complaining! It always surprises me when I get invited to things. I'm generally so flattered, I'd probably go to the opening of an envelope, as the saying goes.  But, speaking of opening

  As is usual for Istanbul, we seem to have skipped right over spring and jumped with both feet into summer. I am not built for summer. Neither is my non air conditioned apartment. At least I have a wine fridge (conveniently located next to my couch, I can actually pull out wine without getting up which maybe tells you a little too much about me) so, even if I'm too hot, my wine isn't. Which brings us to the most important question