Turquazz Article: Top Turkish Wine Instagrammers to Follow
Discussion around wine influencers and their help or harm to wine writers has been a hot topic in the wine writing world of late. Some accept influencers as a matter of course [for any industry], or even think that they’re underutilized. However, others resent them for being (possibly) unqualified and cheapening years of wine study and service that the acknowledged experts undergo. Regardless of one’s feelings on the topic, social media is going nowhere and neither are the influencers. In Turkey as in other wine countries, influencers are big, particularly on Instagram. While their role may be hotly debated elsewhere; here in Turkey they are actually necessary.
Since 2013, advertising alcohol has been illegal in Turkey. Interpretations of this regulation vary widely. If you’ve ever tried to Google for information about a Turkish winery or their wines and have come up empty, that’s why. Many wineries play it safe by not having a website at all. Others have a “placeholder” website. Some have great websites and provide lots of background information about the winery, the founders, the vineyards…but still no wine. While more and more wineries have their own Instagram accounts, again many of them remain cautious and post pictures of anything vineyard related except the wine.
This is where Turkish wine influencer Instagrammers come in. They, as private citizens, can post their pictures. They can talk about the wine. This is how many people learn about which wines are offered by various wineries. How we all find out about new wines a winery is debuting, new grapes that have been (re)discovered, new wineries have started production.
If you’re curious about wine influencers in Turkey but don’t speak Turkish, never fear! Not only does Instagram have a handy dandy ‘see translation’ option for you, but not all influencers here ‘gram in Turkish. A number of foreigners living in Turkey (yours truly included!) are trying to spread the love of Turkish wine to wider audiences outside the country. The result, Turkish wine influencer accounts come in a variety of languages including: Turkish, Mandarin, Ukranian, English, and more.
Who are they? Below is a list of the top 10 accounts to check out.
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