Gemici Aya Katrina
Based in the coastal town of Alaçatı south of Izmir, Gemici Family Wines/Alaçatı Şarapçılık makes wine on a small scale. In this charming little city along the Aegean Sea, the equally charming Olçay Gemici carefully vinifies his grapes in older traditional ways. For him this means anything from spontaneous fermentation to blending in small measures of sakız in his wine.
Olçay uses both native and international grapes for his wine. With Sultaniye and Öküzgözü to Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, and Merlot to play with, he creates both varietals and blends.
When I visited his shop in Alaçatı a couple years ago, one of the wines I purchased was the Aya Katrina blend. I loved the label and the rustic look it exuded. Unfortunately, I did not actually get around to drinking it until fairly recently. At least I chose the right time of the year to do so! The wine’s medium-low body and low tannins made it a great choice for a summer red.
Aya Katrina, 2016
For his Aya Katrina, Gemici blended together Merlot and Grenache which fermented only with native yeasts. The resulting medium-low bodied wine contains only 12.5% abv and showed a clear garnet in the glass.
Medium intense red fruit aromas wafted from the glass where whiffs of black pepper, moss, and eucalyptus joined cherry, currant, and mulberry. The dry palate featured light tannins and medium acidity along with a hint of brett which I rather enjoyed. Cherry flavors hinted at in the nose were elevated on the palate. Added to that was the suggestion of wintergreen before the wine finished with a dark roasted coffee flavor.
Unfortunately they’re not in the Istanbul market so finding Gemici’s wines here presents a challenge. I must email and ask where to get more!