Your April 2023 Turkish Wine Horoscope
Well March was all miserable and depressing weather. Here’s to hoping April remembers that it is an entirely spring month. A few showers here and there perhaps we can tolerate, but we could all use a little more warmth and sun to tackle what we have ahead of us.
What will I – and more importantly you! – be drinking this month? Read on to find out!
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
The freshness of spring (not that we’ve seen any of that weather) will give you a new perspective this month and help you take risks.
One big risk to tackle – speak up for yourself and others, even if you feel scared.
Another – learn when to let go of difficult situations when you aren’t being heard or understood.
The wine for you …
Take a leaf from Reşit Şöley and try the Corvus Blend Bianco this month. Şöley, a trained architect who gave it all up to start a winery on Bozcaada certainly knows about risk taking! The Blend Bianco (a risk all on its own!) blends Chardonnay, Vasilaki and “other local grapes” (your guess is as good as mine), and is one of those wines that proves oak and Chardonnay can be your friend!
Happily for you, Corvus wines aren’t usually hard to find. Look for this at Carrefour, Dekante, Macro Center, Mensis Mahzen, possibly La Cave, etc.
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
If you’re American like me, your mind is on money this month with taxes due. You will have new financial opportunities coming your way this month that could be much less painful! Be confident when taking them on to truly be successful.
But as always, make sure your enthusiastic pursuit of monetary success and material wealth does not define how much you think you are worth. You are always worth more than your paycheck.
The wine for you …
There’s perceived worth and then there’s actual worth…your wine this month is a little of both. Try the Chamlija Narince this April. Not only is it a great white wine to start off the spring season, it’s an interesting exercise in terroir as this Narince does not come from Tokat but Chamlija’s vineyards on the Strandja Massif. And that wealth dichotomy? Over the last few years, Chamlija’s wine prices grew to ridiculous heights. But now that all wine prices are insane, things have come back around so much that their wines are almost sensibly priced!
Find this at places like Casa Botti, Dekante, Grape Wine Boutique, Online Mahzen, and Solera.
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
This month is all about making your dreams come true. Unfortunately, there’s no fairy godmother to do that for you. You’re going to have to put in the work. Make sure though that you keep the spirit of your dream with you every step of the way. Don’t let your competitive spirit push you toward the finish line like you’re running a race.
The wine for you …
Ayda Kalelioğlu had a dream. She gave up a steady career in dentistry to study oenology in France and start a commercial winery in Urla. Luckily for her – and us! – her gamble paid off. Together with her husband Uğur, they built a beautiful winery (compelte with restaurant and a few guest room) at the top of the low mountains around Urla. This month, try her VinAida 5 – a red wine that blends Foça Karası with Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot.
Ayda Bağları wines are becoming more and more easy to find. Try for this at Casa Botti, Dekante, probably Grape Wine Boutique Mensis Mahzen, Santé Wine & More, maybe even Mahzen 26.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
April will challenge you with changes in your life that are completely out of your control. No one likes to be in that situation, but for you, stability and the ability to control your environment are paramount to your comfort. 
Take a deep breath and step confidently outside of your comfort zone. It’s better to adapt to new things that remain stuck in either a rut – which is just boring! – or worse, in an unhealthy situation.
The wine for you …
Speaking of adapting…Merzifon Karası has been adapting to different terroir long before Diren finally) started making wine with grapes it sourced from Merzifon in the Black Sea. The grape has been growing happily in the Mediterranean and in Trakya. Try the Edrine Merzifon Karası this month. A much lighter example of the grape than even Likya’s, this nearly transparent red wine is full of juicy red fruit flavors. And, because it’s relatively light-bodied with low tannins, it’s a perfect red wine to chill a little for the hopefully warmer spring weather ahead!
Not the easiest wine to find, but try Gözde Tekel, maybe Grape Wine Boutique and Dekante…
Gemini (May 20 – June 20)
It’s not always easy to differentiate between what your heart desires and what’s good for you. Try your best this month to make that distinction. Especially about goals you would like to achieve. Approaching new goals requires a clear intent to make sure that both the goal, and the steps you take to achieve it, are in your best interest.
The wine for you …
On our best days, what our heart desires and what’s good for us are the same thing. Your wine this month sits in that sweet spot! Shiluh Kustan blends together two rare grapes from Southeastern Anatolia: Kerküş and Mazrona for a truly interesting Assyrian wine.
Look for this at places like Carrefour, likely Macro Center, Mensis Mahzen, Metro,
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
A little bit like Taurus, April calls you to step outside your comfort zone. However, for you Cancers, it’s a very specific calling to find the bravery to explore your individuality.
Don’t let the fear of being uncomfortable, concern that others may judge you, or even your own hang-ups and/or perception of yourself get in your way!
The wine for you …
Two people who know well about this are Fulya and José. This Turkish-Spanish winemaking wife-husband duo have made (and still are) wine for other Turkish wineries for years and they now have their own label. Your wine this month is Heraki Sultaniye. And I know what you’re thinking. Sultaniye, really? Yes really! This wine will change the way you think about this grape and will maybe be your first step to exploring other new things.
Get it from places like Casa Botti, Grand Cru, Grape Wine Boutique, Mensis Mahzen, Santé Wine & More, and elsewhere.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
Let your Leo self roar this month and live for the thrills!
What IS it that you live for? Is it passion, adventure, learning, love, or something else? Whatever it is, keep it top of mind and be optimistic in your pursuit of it. Put your foot down when something gets in your way. Even if you have to put it on hold, keep it in mind and make sure you prioritize getting back to it.
Little promo there!
The wine for you …
Your wine this month, the Nahita Kalecik Karası from Argos in Cappadocia. The man behind the hotel and winery knows all about living for his passion – he bought an entire fracking mahalle and turned it into a hotel for pity’s sake! The newly released Kalecik Karası is a sterling example of what this grape can do in volcanic soils and (at least for the time being) it’s set at a reasonable price.
Argos’s Nahita wines still aren’t super widespread. Definitely Santé Wine and More has it. Likely you could also find it at Dekante and Grape Wine Boutique, possibly also Casa Botti.
Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
No one likes to be vulnerable; to anything but especially not around people who could hurt our feelings. Try to work this month on doing just that and giving more of yourself to others. It’s a slow and messy process so don’t be overly critical of yourself during the process. 
The wine for you …
Even grapes need a little softening sometimes. In the areas of the Rhone Valley, winemakers add Viognier (a white grape) to Syrah to add floral notes and delicacy to the sometimes angular Syrah. Kayra has emulated that blend with your wine of the month – the Kayra Versus Syrah-Viognier.
Kayra wines are pretty much everywhere so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding this one. Try especially at places like La Cave, Macro Center, Mensis Mahzen, likely larger Carrefours and Migros, Solera, etc.
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
Life needs balance – something you Libras certainly know. The first quarter of this year has seen you focused largely on working and playing which has largely left your relationships neglected.
Take the time this month to get back to restoring balance in your relationships – platonic and romantic – and let them know that you’re still there for them and appreciate their place in your life.
The wine for you …
We all ignore things from time to time. Just like Selendi has been ignoring Narince for the last handful of years. But the winery has started making Narince wines again and you must try the Selendi Moralı Narince!
Not sure how everywhere it is yet but look for it at Mensis Mahzen and Online Mahzen, possibly Grape Wine Boutique and Casa Botti.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 22)
You’ll feel an impulse to get your life in order this month. Take your time to develop a balanced yet exciting lifestyle that you can maintain, instead of rushing to reenact a daily routine that you’ve seen someone else recommend. 
If you’re having a hard time doing this, make the effort to examine your actions and ensure that no subconscious fears are holding you back.
The wine for you …
To help you get that balance, you need a balanced wine! Turkey has a surprisingly deft hand with Pinot Noir and the latest on the market is the Barbare Pinot Noir. Beautiful, balanced, a classic example of Pinot.
Look for it at Dekante, İyi Şarap, Macro Center, Santé Wine & More, possibly Casa Botti and Rind…
Sagittarius (November 23 – December 22)
You’ve been too serious of late, Sagittarius, whether by design or circumstance. There’s always time to focus on getting your work done and achieving your goals – but you need to take some time to loosen up before you serious your way into a grave (real or symbolic!).
The best way for your to do this is by unearthing your child-like enthusiasm. Get creative, adventurous, and playful to break up your usual routine, and don’t hold back from doing things alone instead of waiting for others to join you.
The wine for you …
Akın Gürbüz knows all about enthusiasm. If you go to one winery here, it should be his because he seriously will sweep you up with his infectious enthusiasm for wine. While he’s more well-known for his work with international grapes, he’s been adding quite a few native grapes to his portfolio. The latest: Gürbüz Papaskarası.
Honestly, the only place I’ve seen this is Online Mahzen. But you could try other places that generally carry Akın’s wines like Casa Botti, Rind, maybe Dekante, Mensis Mahzen.
Capricorn (December 23 – January 19)
Spring cleaning time is here! First, literally clean up your environment by throwing out old belongings that you no longer need. This will ease the pressure on your mind, allowing you to focus on what truly makes you happy.
Next, find a something, even a small something, to do each day that sparks your joy.
The wine for you …
Joy is a well-made wine, something Gülçin Akçay unfailingly delivers. Try her latest release, the Saranta Chateau Murou Kalecik Karası. It will ease the pressure on your mind all the to Joytown!
Definitely you can get it from Online Mahzen. Mensis Mahzen told me they were ordering it…probably you can also find it at Dekante, maybe Casa Botti…
Please Help Turkey and Syria!
Turkey and Syria are still in desperate need of help after the horrific earthquakes that have decimated large areas of Turkey’s south east and northern Syria, please consider donating to one of the relief efforts if you are able:
Animal rights organization Haytap is helping animals affected by the earthquake, and displaced people who need a place to stay with their pets. Other animal-focused groups such as Dört Ayaklı Şehir (Four-Legged City) and Work Animals Rescue Foundation, are also helping farm animals, street animals, and pets.
Donate to civil society groups working on the ground to provide immediate relief and medium- to long-term recovery to survivors via UK-based Turkey Mozaik Foundation or US-based Turkish Philanthropy Funds.
World Central Kitchen provides funds and food to those still living in tents in the affected areas.
To support rescue efforts in Syria, donate to White Helmet and SAMS.
Field Ready Türkiye (Sahaya Hazır İnovasyon Derneği) is a team of engineers working in Gaziantep, Turkey, and northwest Syria who make cheap, low-tech airbags for search and rescue from buildings which have collapsed. “If we move fast they can make more,” a good friend who previously worked with the team writes. “The workshops in Syria also have vast experience of fixing essential medical equipment, and making insulated shelters – both greatly needed right now”