The Kayra Allure Line
Producing some 10 million liters of a wine a year, Kayra is not only one of the largest, but most recognized wine companies in Turkey. Between two production facilities, one in Turkey’s Thrace in the European side of the country and the other in Elazığ deep in Anatolia, Kayra offers a wide diversity of flavors and price ranges across 11 labels: Kayra Imperial, Kayra Prestige, Kayra Versus, Kayra Vintage, Buzbağ Rezerv, Kayra, Terra, Allure, Leona, Buzbağ, and Tilsim.
The Allure line includes simple whites and a rosé. Simple but quaffable, these food friendly wines also make great aperitifs.
Kayra Allure “Beyaz” Kalecik Karası Rosé
Kayra bills this particular wine as a beyaz or “white” (blanc de noir) Kalecik Karası. In reality, it’s actually a very pale rosé along the Whispering Angel color palette lines. The light color reflects the overall delicacy of the wine. The nose reveals early red fruits, wild strawberries, white nectarine, and the grape’s characteristic cotton candy. Very very dry on the palate, absolutely no sweetness to this one. Peach, raspberry, and hints of fresh herb compliment the refreshingly low alcohol (11.5% abv) and light body. Not overly acidic but there’s enough going on to make it interesting and food friendly.
Kayra Allure Crispy Chardonnay
The Allure Crispy Chardonnay is Kayra’s unoaked version of this grape (the higher-priced Vintage Chardonnay being the more California-esque style). Crispy is a great description for this wine. Clean citrus and crunchy green apple aromas mingle with flint. The aromas carry through to the palate and sing with zesty acid and a light, refreshing body and only 12.5% abv.
Kayra Allure Sauvignon Blanc
Kayra’s Allure line also includes a Sauvignon Blanc. Unfortunately this wine did not achieve the same balance as the Chardonnay. The acid was really harsh. That made me sad because the nose is lovely. Very characteristic of this variety with citrus, tropical fruits, gooseberry, and grass. Still retaining a light body with 13% abv; I would pair this one with some citrussy or otherwise acidic foods to help tame the acid in the wine.