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Aegean Tag

HomePosts tagged "Aegean" (Page 23)

  Yedi Bilgeler (also known as 7Bilgeler) is one of my absolute favorite Turkish wineries. Due in large part to this wine, the Pythagoras. I previously reviewed the 2013 and now it’s time for the 2014. But before we get to the wine, the winery! The Seven Sages I recently had the great fortune to visit Yedi Bilgeler with my good friend and writing partner, Istanbites. We were privileged enough to spend time there with founder and owner Bilge Yamen. Bilge bey became interested in wine while at university. He was interested in history and philosophy and how wine played such a huge role in both. He believes that history, philosophy, and jazz are like wine:

  Together with Corvus, Amadeus, and Çamlıbağ; Talay is one of Turkey’s Aegean region wineries located on the island of Bozcaada. In 1948, the Talay brothers Necati, Hayati, and Sebati established their family-run winery. During the early years they focused their attention on local varieties Çavuş, Vasilaki, Karalahna, Karasakız (Kuntra). In 1999 they planted European grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Shiraz, and Tempranillo; as well as adding to their indigenous grape roster with Kalecik Karası, Öküzgözü, Boğazkere, and Narince. While the latter four Turkish grapes are fairly familiar Çavuş, Vasilaki, Karalahna, and Karasakız may not be. But these varieties have grown on Bozcaada for centuries. The Island of

  Some time ago a friend of mine threw a dinner party. In addition to her amazing food she also had wines from one of my favorite Turkish producers, Suvla, on hand. Including the Suvla Cabernet Sauvignon 2015. Quality at every level Suvla is a family owned wine producer established by Pınar Ellialtı and Selim Zafer Ellialtı in 2003. The vineyards are nestled in the historical Peninsula of Gallipoli, between the North Aegean coast and the Sea of Marmara where they cultivate a wide variety of grapes. The whites include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Roussanne, and Marsanne. The reds include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Grenache Noir, Petit Verdot, and Pinot Noir.

  The story of USCA Winery began some 15 years ago when a group of friends, fascinated by the world of wine, decided to open their own winery.  Leaving behind their “city” lives and careers they moved to the Izmir district of Urla and in 2003 established their vineyards. Turkish bureaucracy is much like a vineyard…tangled, a bit dirty, and requiring a lot of patience. It was not until 2007 that USCA Winery was incorporated but the ensuing years gave the vineyards time to mature. If this wine is any indication though, that patience has paid off in spades. USCA Sonnet 76 2013 Sonnet 76 (the wine, not the verse from the Bard)

  Nif Vineyards has quickly joined the ranks of my favorite Turkish wineries. With an impressive range of styles, prices, and grapes, Nif makes creating quality wines look easy. Bottled Happiness Owned an operated by the Özcan family, this 500-decare vineyard sits in Bağyurdu, Kemalpaşa in the heart of İzmir. The Özcan family chose to build a gravity-fed winery to provide a more gentle production of their chateau-style wines.  They focus primarily on foreign grapes, as many others do. However, while so many produce French, Nif also prides itself on Italian grape varieties and wine styles. Not to say that they ignore native grapes because that is not at all the case. They also produce wines using

  I tasted this 2012 Selendi Sarnıç Merlot at a wine tasting with Şarap Atölyesi. Of course I’m not going to buy a Merlot on purpose. I have to say though that for a Merlot this wasn’t all that bad. We tasted several wines from Selendi’s Sarnıç line during this wine tasting. Sarnıç being the village where this Akhisar-based winery grows its Merlot grapes at 850 meters. This is also one of Selendi’s organic wines. Like many other wine-making countries making organic wine is still a burgeoning concept but one pursued passionately by winemakers like Barbare and Chateau Nuzun who are dedicated to making all organic wines. Selendi Sarnıç Merlot 2012 Tasting Notes This is

  In 2010 Lucian Arkas purchased Idol Wines, renaming it LA Wines. Subsequently he went on to plant one of Turkey’s largest organic vineyards. Located on 288,62 acres in Torbali, Izmir LA Wines focuses on cultivating international varieties.  Among those are Tempranillo, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Marselan, Ugni Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Misket; some of which are exclusive to their vineyards. Since his purchase of Idol Lucian Arkas has turned his Domaine Lucian Arkas into a booming, organic wine industry. He produces more than 20 wines under five labels including the original Idol: Consensus, Mon Rêve, Antre, Smyrna, and Idol. LA Wines Consensus Sangiovese 2012 Tasting Notes The Consensus Sangiovese is a limited bottling

  The name Urla evokes not only images of the Izmir district of that name, but also of Urla Winery whose Nero d’Avola Urla Karası I’m reviewing today. Established by Can Ortabaş some 15 years ago, Urla Winery sits smack in the middle of the Urla Bağ Yolu. The Urla Wine Route Situated between Izmir and the famous resort town of Çeşme; Urla is the heart of Izmir-based vineyards. Long before the vineyards currently located in this area people were making wine. Including, to name a few, the Ionians, the Persians, and the Romans. When the subject is viticulture for wine production, Urla is one of the premier spots in Turkey. In the fertile soils

  Boutique wineries seem to pop up apace with the Turkish Government’s attempts to repress the wine industry. Some are boutique due to their size. Some earn the name by not only being small but also by being truly family run operations with the family having a hand in every aspect of the vineyard and winery. Doseluna is just such a winery. Where Modernity Meets Tradition Located in Korubasi, a small village six kilometers from the antique site of Assos, Doseluna blends the modern technology and winemaking techniques of California with a deep connection to Turkey’s rich history. Turkey hosts a never ending parade of ancient sites important in the development of philosophy, religion,

  In my research into Turkish wineries I knew that there was one called Mozaik somewhere in Urla. It wasn’t until a wine tasting I attended though that I finally managed to have one of their wines. After that there was no stopping me and I got my hands on as many of their wines as I could.   Mozaik Winery Mozaik Winery’s vineyards and the Mahrem wines produced in its on-site winery are a family project. In 2006 they planted their vines in Urla, near Izmir, smack in the Urla Bağ Yolu.  Situated between Izmir and the famous resort town of Çeşme; Urla is the heart of Izmir-based vineyards. Long before the vineyards