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Wine Reviews

HomeWine Reviews (Page 64)

By 0Red Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  In 2010 Lucian Arkas purchased Idol Wines, renaming it LA Wines. Subsequently he went on to plant one of Turkey’s largest organic vineyards. Located on 288,62 acres in Torbali, Izmir LA Wines focuses on cultivating international varieties.  Among those are Tempranillo, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Marselan, Ugni Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Misket; some of which are exclusive to their vineyards. Since his purchase of Idol Lucian Arkas has turned his Domaine Lucian Arkas into a booming, organic wine industry. He produces more than 20 wines under five labels including the original Idol: Consensus, Mon Rêve, Antre, Smyrna, and Idol. LA Wines Consensus Sangiovese 2012 Tasting Notes The Consensus Sangiovese is a limited bottling

By 0Red Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  There is a fantastic, growing trend in Turkey to focus on being local. This affects many sectors in the country but most especially food and wine. One of the wineries leading the charge is the boutique Barel Vineyards. Putting Wine on Every Table Barel Vineyards was founded in 1997 with the aim of adding a little bit more taste to the life by the Akın family. While Barel’s name comes from the names of two siblings Elif and Barkın Akın brothers; the winery is in the hands of youngest of the Akıns, Barkın. The Akın family was making wine on their land for family and friends years before the winery was

By 0Red Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  The name Urla evokes not only images of the Izmir district of that name, but also of Urla Winery whose Nero d’Avola Urla Karası I’m reviewing today. Established by Can Ortabaş some 15 years ago, Urla Winery sits smack in the middle of the Urla Bağ Yolu. The Urla Wine Route Situated between Izmir and the famous resort town of Çeşme; Urla is the heart of Izmir-based vineyards. Long before the vineyards currently located in this area people were making wine. Including, to name a few, the Ionians, the Persians, and the Romans. When the subject is viticulture for wine production, Urla is one of the premier spots in Turkey. In the fertile soils

By 0Red Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  Boutique wineries seem to pop up apace with the Turkish Government’s attempts to repress the wine industry. Some are boutique due to their size. Some earn the name by not only being small but also by being truly family run operations with the family having a hand in every aspect of the vineyard and winery. Doseluna is just such a winery. Where Modernity Meets Tradition Located in Korubasi, a small village six kilometers from the antique site of Assos, Doseluna blends the modern technology and winemaking techniques of California with a deep connection to Turkey’s rich history. Turkey hosts a never ending parade of ancient sites important in the development of philosophy, religion,

By 0European Wines, Red Wine, Wine Reviews

  Piemontese wines are among my favorites. I’m currently reading Barolo and Barbaresco: The King and Queen of Italian Wine by Kerin O’Keefe. It’s really fascinating look at the history and current state of wine making in the Langhe’s famous Barolo and Barbaresco DOCGs. She also includes tasting notes for many wines which simultaneously makes me salivate and envious. Of course I couldn’t resist opening the one Barbaresco I have; the Marchesi di Barolo Barbaresco della Tradizione 2013. While I would love to get my hands on some of the wines she described I suspect that the limitations of my pocketbook would make it prohibitive even more than Turkey’s limited importing.

By 0Red Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  In 1993 Güler Sabancı of the Sabancı Group, established Gülor Winery in the fertile soils of Tekirdağ, part of Turkey’s Thracian region. Upon founding the winery, Sabancı sought the assistance of Professor Nicolas Vivas from the University of Bordeaux. Vivas directed all phases of production and winemaking until 2012, when seventh-generation winemaker Antoine Bastide d’Izar took over the reins. Winemakers here often compare the terroir in this area of Thrace to that of Bordeaux. It is perhaps then not surprising that many of the vineyards here are planted with French varietals.  Combine that with their French winemakers, it is no great shock that Gülor also cultivates French varietals. The vineyards in Tekirdağ are dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot,

By 0Red Wine, Turkish Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews

  Another February has come and gone, although you wouldn’t have known it were you in Istanbul. It’s been a few years since we experienced such a mild winter and while I’m sure there are huge negative environmental impacts resulting from it; for snow haters such as myself it was a delight. The Wines February brought more than unseasonably balmy weather and yet another Valentine’s Day spent with my cat…it also meant another Sommeliers’ Selection Turkey. Last year was the first year I attended and I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t known about it before. One of (if not the) largest wine events in Turkey, Sommeliers’ Selection is a great place to

By 0Red Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  In my research into Turkish wineries I knew that there was one called Mozaik somewhere in Urla. It wasn’t until a wine tasting I attended though that I finally managed to have one of their wines. After that there was no stopping me and I got my hands on as many of their wines as I could.   Mozaik Winery Mozaik Winery’s vineyards and the Mahrem wines produced in its on-site winery are a family project. In 2006 they planted their vines in Urla, near Izmir, smack in the Urla Bağ Yolu.  Situated between Izmir and the famous resort town of Çeşme; Urla is the heart of Izmir-based vineyards. Long before the vineyards

By 0Red Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  I had a chance to visit Chamlija’s tasting restaurant a while back. While there I learned that they produce so many more wines than those that make it to the Istanbul market, including the Chamlija Mavrud. Before our visit I had never heard of the Mavrud grape but I won’t forget it now. Bulgarian Roots in Turkey Mavrud is a red wine grape that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines, indigenous to the region of Thrace in Bulgaria, particularly around the city of Plovdiv. The grape’s name is likely derived from the Greek word “mavro” which means black. However there’s a nice legend that goes with

By 0Red Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  I have not explored Büyülübağ’s wines as much as I should have. My first introduction to them was with one of their Vedat Milor* wines. It wasn’t until one of my first all Turkish (language, not wines) tastings group that I really discovered these wines. It was Christmas Eve and Alp Törüner, founder of Büyülübağ, lead us through a vertical tasting of his Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Törüner’s family has had a huge French influence, two of his aunts are French and brought a lot of French culture to the family; including the practice of drinking wine with meals. This is why he decided to work largely with French varietals. Despite this, his goal is to