Blog

Going Supernova with Hus Şarapçılık

The Urla district of İzmir in Turkey’s Aegean region has become a hotbed of trendy wineries. Many belong to the Urla Bağ Yolu (the easiest, if not the most interesting wine route to navigate). But not all wineries in the area belong to the wine route. Personally, I find those few to be the more interesting wineries. Like Hus Şarapçılık. Founded in 2017 by Ceylan Ertörer Diaz Leon and Juan Pablo Diaz Leon, Hus Şarapçılık is a family venture that blends the Chilean wine background of Juan Pablo’s family, and the agricultural history belong to Ceylan’s family. Sadly, in 2021, Juan Pablo passed away. Ceylan has bravely continued the push forward. Building up the winery’s home vineyards and expanding their operations. In addition to boutique level production, the winery now also offers a restaurant for visitors to enjoy delicious dishes with Hus’s wines.

Hus focuses heavily on red wine production. While there are a couple native grapes mixed into the winery’s lineup, the majority come from international grapes. Unlike many other Urla-based wineries though, the focus here is happily not on Cabernet Sauvignon. From Hus, we get rather more interesting varieties like Grenache, Cariñena (Carignan), and Alicante. The latter two grapes make up today’s wine: the Hus Şarapçılık Supernova.

Hus Şarapçılık Supernova, 2020

A supernova occurs when a star dies and explodes into a brilliant burst of light, briefly outshining entire galaxies and radiating more energy than will our sun in its entire lifetime. That was the inspiration for this wine as Ceylan and Juan Pablo sourced the Carignan and Alicante for it from neglected vineyards on the verge of death. 

This aromatic dry red wine is bursting with aromas of black cherry, tar and tobacco. The scent alone is mouthwatering! On the palate, bold and fruity, almost cassis-like, and very elegant, with enough acidity to balanced the boldness.

An aromatic, dry wine bursting with aromas of black currant and prune, black cherry, black currant leaf, hints of tobacco, caramel, and macchiato. Lively acidity and mouth watering red fruit flavors marked the palate. This medium-bodied wine with soft tannins and a mere 12.8% abv (incredibly low for Turkish wine!) would be a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats and lighter summer fare!