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My Favorite Turkish Wines of 2023

 

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Every year – well every year that I remember – I like to do a quick review of the wines I posted about during the year that I most enjoyed, that most surprised me, etc. So with no further ado, let’s jump into my favorite Turkish wines of 2023!

My Favorite Sparkling Wines

There weren’t many new sparkling wines released this year. And frankly, with the skyrocketing price of most Turkish bubbles, I didn’t really drink much. And while the Paşaeli Karasakız Pét-Nat may not be a fair wine to include, as it was a super limited bottling, it nonetheless gets a spot. 

My Favorite White Wines

Over the last few years, I have developed into much more of a white wine drinker than anything else. Such a shame for me living in Turkey which seems to think of itself as a red wine country. Certainly more of my posts this last year covered white wines though anyway. My favorites (in no particular order) include: 

   ♦ Heraki Akuarela Sultaniye which showed a new and interesting side to this overlooked grape.

    ♦ Selendi Morali Narince was a revisit. Once difficult to find, this wine was everywhere this last year and I thought it gave a solid performance for value.

    ♦ Asmadan Macabeo Narince was also really solid performance for value, I drank this unusual blend several times!

    ♦ Argos Nahita Dokya Tek Parsel Emir is a nice wine to have in your stable (haha, see what I did there?) and is a value with the rising cost of other Emir wines. Just make sure you get the tek parsel Emir because Argos’s other Emir is…not so good.

    ♦ Chamlija Blanc de Noir is by no means a new wine this year, nor was this year the first time I’ve had it. It was a rediscovery and I was really crushing on it this year.

     ♦ Arcadia Odrysia Gris is again not a new wine but one for which I developed a deeper appreciate for this year and enjoyed several times.

    ♦ Kavaklidere Misket was a big surprise for me. A wine I’ve avoided for years, finally gave it a try, and wow, what have I been missing!!

    ♦ Akberg Osmanca, which I haven’t posted about yet, is a grape exclusive to Akberg. It was a huge favorite in one of my tastings this year and I’m looking forward to having it again.

    ♦ Sevilen Plato Narince is a wine I’ve gone back to a few times this year and, even though it’s really hard to find, totally worth the effort.

 

My Favorite Amber and Rosé Wines 

     ♦ Kastro Tireli Hermos Bornova Misketi was absolutely one of my top top wines this year. Amber wines aren’t always a favorite for me but wow was this something.

    ♦ Mesashuna Rkatsiteli was another wow wine moment. I don’t even like Rkatsiteli (aside from this!).

  ♦ Gürbüz Mood Rose I accidentally bought by accident, I really meant to buy the Blush. But wow, I really liked this one and, because it’s from Gürbüz, you know you’re getting more quality than you actually have to pay for.

    ♦ Arcadia Roze was a really nice surprise this year.

    ♦ Doluca Signium Pinot Noir proving that Pinot can do no wrong!

 

My Favorite Red Wines

 

    ♦ Arcadia Doğal Fermentasyon Papaskarası makes Arcadia probably the winner for most mentioned winery this year! This one is, in my opinion, a little on the pricier than it should be list, but that doesn’t stop it from being good.

    ♦ Barbare Premiere Mourvedre was a wine I’ve been holding onto for quite a few years now and it was worth the wait!

    ♦ Gürbüz Papaskarası – I may not agree with the spelling but cannot fault the wine!

    ♦ Argos Nahita Dokya Kalecik Karası considered overly simple by a few people I know, but I really like its smoothness and that hint of volcano from Cappadocian soils.

    ♦ Heraki Akuarela Çal Karası is possibly my runner up for most favorite wine of the year. Just wow. 

    ♦ Yaban Kolektif Karasakız wow just … wow. After I drank it, I ran out and bought another. (review on that soon)

Please Help Turkey and Syria!

Turkey and Syria are still in desperate need of help after the horrific earthquakes that have decimated large areas of Turkey’s south east and northern Syria, please consider donating to one of the relief efforts if you are able:

• Animal rights organization Haytap is helping animals affected by the earthquake, and displaced people who need a place to stay with their pets. Other animal-focused groups such as Dört Ayaklı Şehir (Four-Legged City) and Work Animals Rescue Foundation, are also helping farm animals, street animals, and pets.
• Donate to civil society groups working on the ground to provide immediate relief and medium- to long-term recovery to survivors via UK-based Turkey Mozaik Foundation or US-based Turkish Philanthropy Funds. 
• Donate to the volunteer response being carried out in Turkey by the trusted, independent NGOs İhtiyaç Haritası (Needs Map) or Ahbap.  
• Hayata Destek (Support to Life), is a Turkish NGO experienced in providing humanitarian relief and working with underserved communities. 
• World Central Kitchen provides funds and food to those still living in tents in the affected areas. 
• To support rescue efforts in Syria, donate to White Helmets and SAMS. 
• Field Ready Türk‎iye (Sahaya Hazır İnovasyon Derneği) is a team of engineers working in Gaziantep, Turkey, and northwest Syria who make cheap, low-tech airbags for search and rescue from buildings which have collapsed. “If we move fast they can make more,” a good friend who previously worked with the team writes. “The workshops in Syria also have vast experience of fixing essential medical equipment, and making insulated shelters – both greatly needed right now”