August is just about over meaning summer is winding down
Read MoreAkberg Büyük Bağ I learned about last autumn at the Gustobar Sommelier Selection and was then happy to see them back in the spring at CMC (Istanbul's two big wine events). We know how much I love a new winery so I was excited at both events to try their wines. Even after I learned where the winery is based. Akberg winery has its base in Şirince, Izmir. Something that makes most of us in Turkey instinctually wince. Why you might ask? Should you come to Turkey and do a tour of Ephesus, the famous Greco-Roman ruins south of Izmir along the Aegean, your tour inevitably includes a trip
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Several months ago, Midin Şarapçılık sent me a selection of wines from their new 2020 vintage. A friend introduced me to Midin last year. Since then, I visited them in May of 2021, got try try most of their 2019 wines, and wrote about them for last summer's Jancis Robinson writing competition. The winery is only on its second commercial vintage but, comparing the new wines they sent me to my 2019 notes, I can already see an improvement. Now I look forward to 2021 which they predict will be their best year yet. They admit they've made a few mistakes and stumbles along the way, but who doesn't
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June has been just a crazy month for me! I hope yours has been calmer. I've barely been able to enjoy any wine at all. Eek! So, I'm looking forward to a quiet July. Now that I have time to enjoy wine again, what will I be drinking? What will you be drinking in July? Read on and find out what your horoscope suggests! Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) Feeling stuck? At work, in your relationships, at life in general? Feeling like you're not making progress in your life can be frustrating. And the more frustrated you feel, the more stuck you become. At times like this, don't stubbornly wave your
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Most of my May seedlings have perished due to neglect. I'm afraid this is not going to be my year for plants! I'm travelling too much during these sensitive, early weeks. Despite the likelihood that my balcony won't be quite as picturesque as it was last year, I am looking forward to sitting out there with some wine! What will I be drinking? What will you be drinking in June? Read on and find out what your horoscope suggests! Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) Things are heating up this month, Aquarius, and I don't mean just the weather! Get your flirt on this month! Don't be afraid to make the first
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For several years Ma'Adra's Öküzgözü rosé has been one of my go-to rosés. But I've always wondered why they don't make a red. I don't have to wonder anymore because now they do! At November's Sommeliers Selection event in Istanbul, Ma'Adra debuted its new carbonic maceration Öküzgözü. We don't talk about carbonic maceration a lot in Turkey. While Ma'Adra may not be the first winery here to use the technique, it is the first to proudly put it on the label. But, what is it? Carbonic Maceration, the Internal Combustion of Winemaking Carbonic maceration is probably how early wine got made
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It's finally spring! The snow is over for real now and warmer weather is already here. I for one cannot wait to get back to gardening and sitting on my balcony. What are you excited about this spring? With warmer weather on the rise, many might be thinking it's time to switch to drinking rosés and white. But there is still room for red wine! What does your horoscope say you should try drinking in April? Read on and find out! Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) What's that saying about April showers bringing May flowers? This month will give you a fresh perspective if you take a few risks. Speak up
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Assyrian winery Midin sits farther east than any other winery in Turkey, practically at Syria’s doorstep. Located in the Şırnak province, the winery faces a number of unique hurdles. The climate is hot (so very hot) and dry. Not so friendly super conservative Muslim communities surround their small Assyrian Christian village. And they face having their village's vineyards ripped out for more profitable crops. [caption id="attachment_17458" align="alignright" width="300"] Raşe Gurnık - courtesy of Midin Wines[/caption] However, all is not bad! One excellent unique aspect of this winery is the grapes it works with. Few have ever heard of like Bilbilzeki, Gavdoni, Midin Karası, Kittil Nafs, or Raşe Gurnık. The latter
Read MoreOne of the newer additions to the Turkish wine scene, Kayraklı Şarapçılık is based in the Muğla district of the Aegean. Founder Orhan Kayraklı planted his organically farmed vines in the Asarcık valley between the Bozdurun and Selimiye villages. The vines, completely surrounded by mountainous terrain, grow at 250 meters. Continuous winds cool the valley making it 4-5 Celsius degrees cooler than the areas around it and contribute to significant diurnal temperature swings. Slate and gravel overlay layers of limestone and clay and the vines grow without irrigation. The wines have been available in regional wine shops for a year or more but only recently have migrated to Istanbul.
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It may not seem like it with all the rain and cold days, but spring is just around the corner. Lent starts tomorrow (what are you sacrificing this year?), and soon Easter will come. What else is around the corner? What does your horoscope say you should try drinking in March? Read on and find out! Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) Introspection is your word of the month. Take some time this month to focus on the deeper emotional needs in your life that you don't usually allow yourself to think about or even acknowledge. You needn't confront anyone with anything this month if you're not ready. It's perfectly fine to
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