The first place I saw the Shiluh Mazrona was, of course, Instagram and I felt giddy with excitement. A Mazrona! All on it's own (or at least 85% on its own if they adhered to the law)! Often found blended with its regional white grape partner, Kerküş, Mazrona is already a rare sight. But to see it vinified solo
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Summer is over; even if no one told the weather forecast that it's supposed to be! Those who had the summer off are back to work. School is starting (or has already!). Harvest is in full swing! Even if September isn't the beginning of the calendar year, it is the beginning of the "regular" year. So, what will this "new year" hold for you? Read on and find out what your horoscope suggests! Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) This September is all about looking to the future with hope and calming any unnecessary worries. If you're in that happy minority with your finances set, let yourself sit back and relax. You don't
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In May at Gusto Bar's CMC, I connected with Erdem Yılmaz from Tasheli. Then, after drinking the winery's Göküzüm Aküzüm, I reached out to him with some questions about the wine. And to order more! During our conversation, he very kindly offered to send me a few bottles from the rest of their selection. He sent me a Patkara-Kalecik Karası rosé, the new vintage of their orange Göküzüm, and the Patkara-Cabernet-Shiraz red blend. Reviews for the other two will be upcoming but, as I've been having a surprising yen lately for rosé (I know, who am I?!?!) I'm starting there! Tasheli and Patkara Located in the Çömelek village in the Mut
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August is just about over meaning summer is winding down
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It's been ages since I posted a wine bar review. Sorry about that. Especially to all you on the Asian side whom I've accidentally been ignoring! Now, finally, a wine bar review on your side of things: Bordo Şaraphane. My last visit here was actually an embarrassingly long time ago. But while there I completely forgot to take any pictures, thus delaying this review so terribly! I enjoyed my visit but was glad to meet a friend there so we could split a bottle. One of my continued arguments with "wine bars" in Istanbul is the maddeningly small selection of by the glass wines. While Bordo's overall list was
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While Narince appears most commonly as a varietal wine, blending it is not uncommon. Sometimes we see Narince Emir, Chardonnay Narince seemed popular for a while and a few other blends pop up from time to time. Sauvignon Blanc Narince is less common. Ayda Bağları started making one a couple years ago, the VinAida 2. But the original, I think, is the Arcadia Finesse Sauvignon Blanc Narince. I've started drinking this wine a lot lately and I realized that I hadn't ever written about it before! I've had it a few times over the years, loved it every time, every vintage. However, sadly for drinkers, finding it isn't easy.
Read MoreAkberg Büyük Bağ I learned about last autumn at the Gustobar Sommelier Selection and was then happy to see them back in the spring at CMC (Istanbul's two big wine events). We know how much I love a new winery so I was excited at both events to try their wines. Even after I learned where the winery is based. Akberg winery has its base in Şirince, Izmir. Something that makes most of us in Turkey instinctually wince. Why you might ask? Should you come to Turkey and do a tour of Ephesus, the famous Greco-Roman ruins south of Izmir along the Aegean, your tour inevitably includes a trip
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We are well and truly in the depths of summer now. Whether you're hiding inside with the AC or toughing it out, hoping for a good breeze, a nice chilled glass of wine comes as a welcome relief. While I think it's unfair to limit rosé to just spring and summer, there's no denying how many posts there are nowadays about rosé and rosé season. I haven't written much about rosé lately. But I thought it would be a good time to revisit the Buradan Şirin; especially as Buradan was kind enough to send me some wine! Buradan - Wine "from here" Located in the Aegean district Çeşme, Buradan distinguishes itself
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Located in the Çömelek village in the Mut district of Mersin along Turkey's Mediterranean coast, Tasheli is a family-run winery that has had a long journey to get to where it is now. They began in 2005 as amateur winemakers but serious wine enthusiasts. Years of learning on their own and receiving guidance from other winemakers and experts have now paid off. With the help of Anatolian grape expert Umay Çeliker, Patkara became their star grape. But the winery does not neglect other regional, native grapes, like Göküzüm and Aküzüm. Grown in the Taurus mountains where high elevation helps mitigate the heat of the Mediterranean region, Tashaeli's Göküzüm vines are
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Summer is definitely in full swing and we have the hot temperatures to prove it! Are you absolutely melting or hiding inside with your AC? Most of the year, I complain about having to walk up all the stairs to my flat but around now I start appreciate being higher up and being able to catch the breeze. Since it is so hot, I'm drinking a lot of white and rosé. I'm eyeing some of my lighter reds as well though, remember that so many of those can be chilled! What will you be drinking in August? Read on and find out what your horoscope suggests! Aquarius (January 20 -
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