Yedi Bilgeler Anaxagoras Chardonnays
Nearby the famous ruins of Greco-Roman city Ephesus sits the southern Aegean winery Yedi Bilgeler. It was almost fated that owner Bilge Yamen, who hails from the northeastern city Kars, should establish his winery mere kilometers from this ancient city.
Kars and Selçuk, where Ephesus can be found today, are separated by more than just distance (1,689 kilometers to be exact). Kars is located in the very northeastern corner of Turkey’s Anatolia very near the border with Armenia. Kars has a humid continental climate with significant differences between summer and winter temperatures. High elevation, long, cold winters buried under snow, and brief mild summers are not conducive to grape growing. Selçuk on the other hand, belongs to the Izmir province. The city sits near the sea and its mild winters and long, warm summers allow for a great deal of successful agriculture. It therefore was a very attractive option for Yamen when he was looking for a place to establish his winery.
Wine and Wisdom
While his decision seems perfectly logical; I like to believe that fate had a hand in his choice. While at university, Yamen became interested in history and philosophy. More than that, the role wine played in history and philosophy.That his winery is a 10 minute drive away from one of history’s important centers of learning and philosophy seems more than simple coincidence! And of course there’s the name. Yamen named
The seven sages: Lasos (left), Chilon, Pythagoras, Anaxagoras, Solon, Bias, and Thales
his winery Yedi Bilgeler; Turkish for Seven Sages.
Yamen’s fascination with wine’s relationship with history and philosophy is obvious in more than the winery name. He organizes workshops about wine, wine education, philosophy, history, and food. The onsite restaurant prepares recreations of historical recipes, some of which make it onto the permanent menu. Also a lover of jazz, Yamen organizes live music concerts every weekend. The winery, which is also a hotel, has become a popular location for wine, food, and music lovers.
He names all the wines after ancient philosophers like those who made up the Sages; such as his Pythagoras and Bias Priene blends. While most of the Yedi Bilgeler wines are red, Yamen does produce two whites. Both wines, Chardonnays, he named for the 4th century BC natural philosopher, Anaxagoras.
Yedi Bilgeler Anaxagoras & Anaxagoras Reserve 2016 Tasting Notes:
This first of Yedi Bilgeler’s Chardonnays, the Anaxagoras, is the pure, unoaked wine. Pineapple, mango, apple, and crushed gravel aromas sing in clear, harmonious tones. A slightly oily palate carries rich flavors of tropical fruit cocktail, crunchy apple, and a finish like the twist of a tangerine peel. Medium bodied with moderate alcohol (13.7% abv), this clean, classy, and elegant wine is one of my favorite Turkish Chardonnays.
Six months in oak lend a pronounced influence to the Anaxagoras Reserve. While not overwhelming, the presence of oak aging makes a marked difference in the two bottles and provides a nice counter to its leaner, unoaked sister. Aromas of yellow apple and tropical flowers lead to vanilla and creme brulee. Like the other wine though this is medium bodied (same ABV). The palate doesn’t reveal anything new but shows a nice balance of flavor.