Gürbüz Blush: Sunset Sipper or Serious Wine?

April 12, 2023ByAndrea Lemieux 0Rose Wine, Turkish Wine, Wine Reviews

How many times have I said that I’m not a pink fan? I think for five times I say that, at least two wines semi reverse my opinion! Despite not being a huge fan of it, I do have a rather large collection of rosé in the wine room. Partially because I do attempt to try all the new wines (if not new vintages) that come out here. And also, because I have learned, that as long as the wine isn’t electric pink, there’s a fair chance that it will be nice.

When Akın Gürbüz released his new blush last year, I happily snapped up a bottle. Because a) it was a normal color and b) if Akın made it, it won’t disappoint.

Gürbüz Blush, 2021

The Gürbüz Blush is 100% Kalecik Karası that he sourced from around Ankara in Central Anatolia. Which is, I believe, where he gets all his Kalecik Karası grapes for all the pink and red wines. And if you haven’t tried his (red) Kalecik Karası, you’re missing out!

I’m guessing by the lovely pastel ballet slipper pink color that he made this rosé via the direct press method. For a grape with such a low anthocyanin level, even the minimal amount of skin contact wine gets with the direct press method gives a pretty pale pink color.

Notes of fruit and brush danced together with flowers. Cranberry, raspberry, laurel, raspberry, black currant leaf on a broad palate with a kiss of bright acidity. Fruit flavors lean just this side of jammy, but the wine retains such a buoyant freshness, that jamminess only adds to the wine’s depth.

Not to be confused with the Gürbüz Mood Blush – two very different wines! The Mood is definitely more of a sunset sipper but this one falls into the serious wine category.

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 Helmet 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”