Winetraveler: Turkey Wine Guide: Discover Turkish Wine & Regions
Another piece published on Winetraveler!
Turkey Wine Guide: Discover Turkish Wine & Regions
Most people picture Turkey as a land of vibrant bazaars, layered history, and turquoise coastlines. Few realize it is also one of the world’s oldest but most misunderstood wine countries.
Grape cultivation traces its beginnings to eastern Anatolia, and wine has been made here since before history was recorded. Hittites, Assyrians, Phrygians, and other ancient civilizations made their mark on wine long before Greeks and Romans inhabited the country’s vineyards. Here like nowhere else cultures, terroir, and a treasure trove of native grapes blend to create a grand coupage.
Producing high-quality wines almost entirely consumed domestically, Turkish vineyards remain a true insider experience for wine travelers.
Why Haven’t I Had Turkish Wine Before?
Turkey produces around eight million liters of wine annually. Red wine dominates production, but Turkish wineries also craft whites, rosés, amber wines, sparkling wines, sweet wines, and fortified styles. Despite this richness of choice, a mere 3% gets exported. While some is available in the US market, tracking it down is not always easy.
No Comments