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Wine Reviews

HomeWine Reviews (Page 8)

By 0Turkish Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews

  Several years ago, I tried to blind taste wine every day during Advent. That was a challenge. Partially logistically. I only thought about it a few weeks before Advent began and, even though I disguised all the bottles, I remembered what at least several of them were. Plus drinking and posting in a day was hard! This year, I'm taking an easier route. Simply posting about one wine every day. These mostly won't be long posts with lots of background information about wineries and grapes. More like quick and dirty reviews! So, let's get to it! Advent, Day 1 Kavaklidere Misket, 2022 I've seen this wine around for ages and ages, one

By 0Red Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  The lovely Lisa Morrow, author of several books about life as an expat in Turkey and Inside Out Istanbul asked me to write a guest post for her site. I am very happy to share that she posted it yesterday and hope you all enjoy it! Where to have a drink in Istanbul this festive season When I first moved to Istanbul, I lived in an area of the city called Cevizlibağ. Generally foreigners don’t know it and most Turks’ reaction is along the lines of “uuufff, why?”. The why is a boring story and so is the area. It mainly consists of apartment blocks, a few small markets, a

By 6Articles, Red Wine, Rose Wine, Sparkling Wine, Turkish Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews

  Since November seems to have forgot how to be autumn, we'll see what kind of weather December has in store. The seasons here can be such a rollercoaster throwing ups and downs and twists and turns at us. Much like life itself does. And as we approach this final month of 2023, many are taking stock of what happened during the year and making plans and resolutions for the year ahead.  Me, I'm ignoring the future. It'll always be there tomorrow. December is all about Christmas and I cannot wait to put up the tree and dive into Christmas music and movies. So yeah, we all have a different approach

By 0Red Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  I get the feeling that people's minds mostly go to the Cabernets and Sauvingon Blanc when Akın Gürbüz's name comes up. To an extent that's fair. He began with French grapes and some of his higher-end wines come from those. However, that's doing him and his catalogue a disservice. He makes excellent wine with quite a few native grapes including: Kalecik Karası, Karalahna, Papazkarası, and Öküzgözü. If he weren't behind the grapes, would he label them under his Winemaker's Selection series? Gürbüz Öküzgözü, 2018 Gürbüz's winery sits firmly in Thrace with most of his vineyards in southern Thrace running down to the northern Marmara. However, some of his grapes come

By 0Rose Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  Some months ago, I had the chance to re-taste a number of Arcadia wines with winery owner Zeynep Arca Şallıel and US importer, Sharap Imports. Among the wines was one I'd not ever tried before, the Arcadia Roze. Why hadn't I tried it? Well, we know I don't love rosé. Additionally, for better or worse, my focus remains firmly on the native grapes of Turkey. It takes something pretty extraordinary to get me to drink anything Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot (especially the latter).  Folks, I am a convert! Not to all Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or rosé. But to this wine? Yes! [caption id="attachment_19421" align="alignright" width="350"] shameless self promotion![/caption] Arcadia Roze, 2021 For

By 0Red Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

  Did you know that I love Karasakız? Do you know the Karasakız grape at all?? Even if you live in Turkey and don't know, I forgive you (assuming you care!). It's an entirely underrated and underutilized grape.  My first introduction to Karasakız came from Suvla. My early days of Turkish wine discovery were largely thanks to Suvla. They made quality wines with decent price points. Sadly, over the years, they seem to have begun focusing more on the price points than the quality. Despite which, Suvla remains one of the champions of Karasakız. Along with Corvus, Paşaeli, and also recently Yaban Kolektif, Karasakız doesn't get a lot of attention. Now

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

  This month, I am hosting the #WinePW group's exploration of heritage and traditional grapes. I will attempt to host a chat on Threads tomorrow, Saturday, November 11 at 8am PST / 11 am EST / 7 pm Istanbul. Well, I mean, I will be hosting one. How successfully I shall do so remains to be seen! Heritage grapes in Turkey Heritage, or traditional grape varieties are those that have been grown not in their native land for a long time. Think Zinfandel in America (or really any vitis vinifera in America!), Shiraz in Australia, Pinot Noir in Germany, etc. How long is a long time? Well

By 0Turkish Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews

  This month, I am hosting the #WinePW group's exploration of heritage and traditional grapes. I will attempt to host a chat on Threads on Saturday, November 11 at 8am PST / 11 am EST / 7 pm Istanbul. Well, I mean, I will be hosting one. How successfully I shall do so remains to be seen! Here's what the group will be talking about: Culinary Cam shares: A Geography Lesson + a Taste of Bulgaria: Bob Chorba and a Blend of Mavrud and Rubin from Thrace Gwendolyn of Wine Predator is contributing: Ancestor: Heritage Halter Ranch with Heritage Hamburgers #WinePW  Terri from Our Good Life is talking about: Don't Let

By 0European Wines, Red Wine, Sparkling Wine, Sweet Wine, Wine Reviews

  This month, the #ItalianFWT group is exploring the wines of Piemonte and/or Valle d'Aosta. Culinary Cam will be hosting a Twitter (I refuse to call it X), on Saturday, November 4 at 8am Pacific/11am EST/6pm Istanbul. You can read her invitation to the event here.  Lacking any wine from the Valle d'Aosta, I chose a wine from Piemonte. I have several on hand at the moment but my overwhelming love for anything bubbly trumped all the other wines, and so I had to choose a Brachetto. Brachetto the grape and the wine Brachetto is both a grape and a wine, both of which hail from Piemonte. The berries are dense and firm

By 6Amphora, Articles, Red Wine, Rose Wine, Sweet Wine, Turkish Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews

  We leave behind the tricks and treats of Halloween and October for a new month. Hopefully one that is actually autumn-like. Every new month is a fresh start for us. A time to reevaluate, start something new, or just start anew.  So what will I be drinking this month? I have several things planned! But more importantly, what will YOU be drinking? Read on to find out what the Universe recommends.  Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) This month you'll hear a siren's song calling you to exploration. It could mean travel is in the cards for you, or perhaps expanding our current world through learning something new. This spirit of