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Wine Reviews

HomeWine Reviews (Page 57)

By 0European Wines, Red Wine, Rest of the World, Wine Reviews

  Duty Free has long been my friend while living in Turkey. Often shopping in duty free is the only place I can find (non Turkish) wines at a fair price. After five and a half years of stopping for my allotted bottles on the way back into Turkey I've pretty much gone through their limited collection of Italian and Spanish wines. The Bodegas Montecillo DOC Gran Reserva 2008 was one of those I picked up. The Rioja Classifications I love Spanish wine. Rioja might be the most famous region but it's really not my favorite. However in the limited market here beggars can't be choosers! If I am going to be

By 0Red Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  When I first started seriously drinking Turkish wine my strategy was simple. Start at the bottom shelf at my local Carrefour and drink my way up. That strategy worked pretty well for me. Not the least because as I made my way towards the pricier bottles the Turkish Lira began its downwards trajectory; making those upper shelf wines less expensive than when I started. I soon discovered the downside to my plan. I had begun ignoring all the new wines that came into the middle of the shelf. Whether subconsciously or due to a snobby belief that mid range Turkish wine had nothing more to offer me, I don't

By 3Amber Wine, Amphora, Orange Wine, Red Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  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

By 0Amber Wine, American Wines, Orange Wine, Rest of the World, Wine Reviews

  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

By 0Red Wine, Rest of the World, South American Wines, Wine Reviews

  Having friends who travel frequently is a great boon to my wine collection. In particular, one friend of mine seems to travel constantly. Thankfully, she’s very generous and usually picks up a bottle or two of wine for me if she’s been to a wine country. To my delight, she’s visited Argentina several times. One of those trips netted me a bottle of Animal Malbec. For all that Argentina rightfully claims responsibility for Malbec’s rise to international attention and glory, even this lauded wine country produces some wines that are table quality at best. Since my friend usually chooses wine in Duty Free as she’s running for a flight

By 0Red Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  O! learn to read what silent love hath writ: To hear with eyes belongs to love’s fine wit. Wine as Poetry In 2003 Can and Serpil Şener and Eda Aylın Genç abandoned city life and careers in favor of wine. They chose the Urla district of Izmir for their project. With its long history of wine production and favorable climate, they knew they would find favorable conditions here for their vines. Set in the village of Kuşçular, USCA’s vineyards feel both the west and north winds of the Aegean’s surrounding gulfs. Part of a growing trend in Turkey, USCA farms all its grapes organically in an effort to begin as they mean

By 0Red Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

After six years of living in this country, my Turkish language is still pretty crap. Partially because my day job is conducted 98% in English and because my Turkish friends all speak English far better than I speak Turkish. Really though, it’s just a terribly difficult language and my mind seems to reject all its weird grammar structures. I’ve studied Turkish over three different periods at three different language schools. Each time I restart, I get bumped down to a beginner level course and have to work my way back up to the advanced classes Wine, Like Language Many think learning a language with a different alphabet is scary and

By 0Red Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  All of the teachers participate somehow and many of them wear traditional Austrian costumes of Lederhosen and Dirndl. As a rather typical American, my family is from a little bit of everywhere and I’ve always been envious of people who have a cultural heritage that comes with national costumes, traditions, food, etc. Our biggest tradition in Michigan is using our right hand as a state map. Which, come on, is pretty cool. Istranca Terroir In a way, wine is like my Austrian friends and their dirndl; they come from and belong to a place. However, with wine we define that with the somewhat indefinable term, terroir.  Kırklareli-based winery Chamlija takes a huge amount of pride in its terroir. When we

By 0Turkish Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews

Fumé Blanc and I are not friends. We do not get along well at all. I without exception prefer my Sauvignon Blanc fresh, clean, and oak free. However, I wanted to try Yazgan’s Vodina Fumé Blanc when I came across it. In the spirit of “don’t judge a book by its cover” I want to try everything. Just because I have not liked Fumé Blanc from…well literally anyone, doesn’t mean that I won’t like it in a wine I have yet to try. I mean, heck, I’ve come around to Merlot! So why not Fumé Blanc? The 2013 Vodina Fumé Blanc showed a pretty dark straw color that unfolded aromas of citrus oil, flowers,