Ring in the New Year with Turkish Bubbles
I firmly believe that sparkling wines should not be drunk only on special occasions. However, they are still my first choice for celebrations! Happily here in Turkey there is a wide range of locally produced sparkling wine. Made with a variety of grapes and methods there’s one for everyone’s taste and pocketbook* preference!
Pamukkale Sava Premium Yarı Köpüren
Region: Aegean
Grape(s): Sultaniye
Style: Blanc de blanc
Vintage: 2017
ABV: 12.5%
Price: 29 TRY
Method: CO2
This falls more in line with frizzante-style wine that has a lower pressure and therefore fewer and softer bubbles. Nose is fruity full of peaches and mango. The palate is frothy with a slight chemical bitterness and medium finish. Very fruity, lots of mango. Has a bitter-sweet-bitter flavor pattern. Actually not too bad for cheap fizz. Would be great for Bellinis! Also I love this label.
Kayra Leona Bubble
Region: Thrace
Grape(s): Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Misket
Style: Blanc de blancs
Vintage: NV
ABV: 11.5%
Price: 79 TRY
Method: CO2
The nose displays a balance of aromas from the three grapes. A slightly musty aroma underlines peaches, white flowers, and grass resulting in a bouquet that is both fresh and deep. Tight bubbles burst with the ripeness of summer peaches and florals for a warm, albeit brief, finish. Overall very fresh, light, and utterly quaffable!
Kayra Cameo
Region: Thrace
Grape(s): Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Misket
Style: Blanc de blancs
Vintage: NV
ABV: 11.5%
Price: 119 TRY
Method: Charmat
Again from Kayra comes another sparkling wine, Cameo. While this has the same blend of grapes found in Kayra’s Leona Bubble, this is a higher-end version made in the Charmat (or Tank) method. The Cameo has a lovely aromatic nose filled with delicate fruits and cream. White peach, citrus (grapefruit particularly), and pineapple all vied for attention. Bubbles are fine and tight giving the wine a nice, frothy mouthfeel. It almost feels like the flavors of peach, lemon pith, blood orange, and grapefruit burst out of the bubbles as they dissipate on the tongue.
Kavaklidere Altın Köpük Brut
Region: Central Anatolia
Grape(s): Emir
Style: Blanc de blanc
Vintage: NV
ABV: 12.5%
Price: 175 TRY
Method: Charmat
Star bright with a lot of dancing bubbles. Quite a yeasty nose on this one. Creamy bubbles with a medium mineral finish and flavors of apple and lemon zest. Emir is my favorite of the Turkish white grapes so I find it quite exciting that Kavaklidere is using it to make a sparkling wine.
Vinkara Yaşasın Brut
Region: Central Anatolia, Ankara
Grape(s): Kalecik Karası
Style: Blanc de noir
Vintage: 2015
ABV: 13%
Price: 175 TRY
Method: Methode Champenoise
This wine is the triumph of Ardıç Gürsel and her team at Vinkara. When Gürsel began her winery her ultimate goal was to produce the first traditional method sparkling wine with Turkish grapes. And so she did. One of only two blanc de noir wines on our list, the Yaşasın is a bright, pale straw color with lavish bubbles. Freshly baked brioche, apple, and mimosa aromas. Lively bubbles and acidity balance with fruity and yeasty flavors.
Also comes in rosé!
The rosé version, made with the same Kalecik Karası grape is a completely different experience. While the structure and balance remain, aromas and flavors are far fruitier with wild strawberries, current, and raspberries.
Suvla İyi Ki Brut
Region: Aegean
Grape(s): Karasakız
Style: Blanc de noir
Vintage: 2014
ABV: 12%
Price: 175 TRY
Method: Methode Champenoise
I love the name of this wine. “İyi Ki” has a variety of meanings but all auspicious: happily, luckily, fortunately, etc. Great name for a sparkling wine! Aged 18 months sur lie this pale gold wine has a nose rich with warm citrus, yellow apple, and bread and butter. Light, frothy bubbles dance and burst quickly carrying flavors of apple and brioche. A great sparkling wine for lovers of cider.
Suvla Kınalı Yapıncak Brut
Region: Aegean
Grape(s): Kınalı Yapıncak
Style: Blanc de blanc
Vintage: 2012
ABV: 12%
Price: 200 TRY
Method: Methode Champenoise
If something can be both delicate and complex this is it. High notes of citrus give way to stone fruit and marzipan. The palate is an explosion of bubble that are at first prickly but soften to a comfortable froth. Warm stone fruits accompanied by pastry, vanilla, and almond remind me of the almond paste-filled banket pastries my mom makes every Christmas. Which I have never liked so I think it’s funny how much I enjoy this wine.
Cheers to you however and wherever you’re ringing in the New Year! If you have a chance to do so with a Turkish sparkling wine (or whenever you enjoy one!) let me know what you think of it.
*prices are approximate based on where and when I last bought these