Your April 2024 Turkish Wine Horoscope
They say spring comes in like a lion or a lamb…so far it’s been a chimera. Winter was grey, rainy, and depressing, but in Istanbul we made it through without snow! Another indication of global warming but, as I hate snow, I can’t really be overly sad about it. Despite the warmer than usual winter, I am still really looking forward to spring, to planting my flower bulbs, enjoying the balcony, and keeping fingers crossed for blue skies and low 20s weather!
What else does spring bring? For many, a returned desire to drink lighter wines. So far April, everything is coming up rosés! Hahaha, see what I did there? But which rosé are you fated to drink this month? Read on to find out!
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
When you feel overwhelmed, it can be difficult to even imagine there being a solution, let alone what it might be. During these moments, focus your attention on the smaller features of the big, overwhelming picture. What you need to solve your problem might be right in front of your face, it’s just too difficult to see it when you’re trying to take on the problem in its entirety. Do not overcomplicate an otherwise simple situation. Right now, it’s okay if you do not have answers. The wisdom might be found in how you’re asking your questions.
The wine for you …
A nice, easy, don’t have to think too hard about it wine for you this month! 7Bilgeler Lasos rosé. Actually, if you want to practice breaking down the big picture, you can try to pick out what each grape in the blend contributes to the wine! Plus, it’s a perfectly lovely wine to sip on its own or pair with light dishes.
So that you can continue on your ‘taking it easy’ path, this wine is pretty widely available. You can find it at places like Comedus, Dekante, İyi Şarap, Mahzen 26, Mensis Mahzen, Santé Wine & More…and possibly Casa Botti, Macro Center, etc.
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
During this time of the year, spring flowers are strengthening their roots to enable them to weather unpredictable spring storms and bloom all season long. So too should you be looking at how strong your root system is. Your financial root system that is. Are you able to ensure the stability of your livelihood with your current earnings? You may need to look into exercising more self-discipline around unnecessary spending, investments, or even side hustles to bring in more money. Look within your local community for opportunities for short-term work or new project start ups.
The wine for you …
Since you’re economizing this month, a great wine that will allow you to treat yourself without breaking the bank is the Arda Gala Roze. Arda’s Gala series features Papazkarası in various forms and combinations. The rosé blends Papazkarası with Gamay and a little skin contact on the Gamay makes for a darker style rosé.
Pretty widely available, find it at Savoy Tekel, Mensis Mahzen, Rind, Casa Botti, Solera, I think Grape Wine Spirit Boutique, likely Santé Wine & More, sometimes Carrefour…
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
Everyone adopts a façade at some time or other to hide their real selves…from others as well as from oneself. April calls you to take a deep, honest look inside, Aries, and to drop the façade during this season of renewal nd rebirth. Much like a gardener who mercilessly yanks out weeds that strange the flowers, so too must you discard the things in your life that hide your true self. Make sure to nurture your health and deepen (or discover) any spiritual practices to help anchor you through this journey. 
The wine for you …
All about being honest and true to themselves (at least to their terroir) is Kuzubağ, one of the wineries spearheading the attempt to change the face of wines from Çal. So, your wine this month is the Kuzubağ Çal Karası Kalecik Karası rosé. A 50/50 blend this rosé looks pale but its personality is anything but! Sure to please even rosé detractors. And one of my personal favorites.
Find this at Grape Wine Boutique, Comedus, İyi Şarap, Mensis Mahzen, Rind, etc.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Taurus, look for April to bring surprises that will both shake and thrill you! Elements in your life have been heading in this direction for nearly a year now and will come to a culmination this month with these surprises. Prepare yourself especially for something to illuminate the relationships in your life which will help you see what’s truly valuable. 
The wine for you …
Change can be good, but sometimes in the middle of big change, you need something reliable, sold. A touchstone. Such is the case with the Tafali Kalecik Karası Rosé. Located in Kalecik, Tafali is a newer winery that focuses on, surprise surprise, Kalecik Karası. They made a red and pink. They know where their wheelhouse is and are leaning into it!
Find it at Casa Botti, Rind, Santé Wine & More, and elsewhere.
Gemini (May 20 – June 20)
Where in the world do you fit, Gemini? While we are all a universe unto ourselves, no man, as Donne said, is an island and at some point our universe has to fit into the larger picture. What does that mean for you? It’s a big question so break it down and start local by exploring where and how you fit in with your wider community circles. With whom do you surround yourself? How do you affect, for good or bad, your community. What can you do differently to have a more positive effect? 
The wine for you …
Knowing, and making, your place in the world is good for more than just us on a personal level. Some businesses can have a profound effect on the world depending on how they place themselves in it. Thankfully, we have companies like Paşaeli that are a force for good. For example, Paşaeli’s work with rare and underrated Turkish grapes and their innovation. That makes your wine this month the Paşaeli Naif Çalkarası Pet-Nat (either of the two).
Find it at places like Mensis Mahzen, Dekante, Grape Wine Spirits Boutique, Online Mahzen, likely Mahzen 26, Casa Botti, Santé Wine & More, etc.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
You’re standing at a crossroads where your life’s path splits, nudging you toward pivotal decisions. It’s here, amid these significant shifts, where choices loom large and often scary. At moments such as these, two key things will help guide you towards making the best decision. One: rely on the support your friends and family provide. And remember to ASK for that support. People in your community don’t always recognize when you need support but they will give it willingly if they know. 
Two (and perhaps more importantly): get to know how it feels in your body when you’re sure of yourself versus when you’re distressed from indecision. This is a fantastic lesson and an invaluable skill for your whole life, not just for these major crossroads moments.
The wine for you …
To ease you into this month, a nice, easy, and enjoyable wine! Gürbüz Mood Rosé! This blend of Kalecik Karası, Papazkarası, and Cinsault is fresh and cheerful. Delicate red fruit flavors marry with citrus fruits and bright acidity. Refreshing and easy to drink or perfect to pair with light summer foods.
Get it from Mensis Mahzen, İyi Şarap, Casa Botti, Grape Wine Boutique, etc.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
Leos, stay on the look out this month for an unexpected adventure that will both challenge you and broaden your horizons. Be prepared for this to influence how you show up to the world publicly. Whatever this adventure throws at you, do not stop engaging with the intricate process of exploring your psychological underworld. This adventure is meant to enhance, not displace this process. Commit to knowing yourself deeply so you can lead a richer and more authentic expression of the life you truly want to live.
The wine for you …
Likya Vineyards knows about adventures and unexpected discoveries. Going back to the first of the many new grapes they’ve given us (Acıkara), which they discovered by being led to said grape by a shepherd. Cool story. Although that shepherd features with suspicious frequency in the many other grapes they’ve discovered. One discovery from them is Tilki Kuyruğu. Your wine this month is the Likya Fox featuring this grape. A great wine to take on your own adventure!
Look for it at Vinus, Mensis Mahzen, Rind, and Grape Wine Boutique are likely to have it, Dekante, Casa Botti, Mahzen 26 and Santé Wine & More are likely candidates.
Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
Every ending marks the start of something new and these endings are opening doors to unimagined possibilities. But resisting closure could be preventing you from discovering new options. Step out of your own way. Yes, it may be uncomfortable but this is a necessary part of the kind of growth that will sustain you for a long time. Pay attention to how your relationships hold up a mirror to aspects of yourself that are hard to face. Most importantly, be kind to yourself through out all of this!
The wine for you …
Your wine this month might also be an uncomfortable, stepping out of your comfort zone kind of experience. But one I promise that falls in line with being kind to yourself! The Arcadia Roze is a Cabernet Sauvignon – Merlot blend. And I can just see your faces because I made the same one before trying it. But trust me.
Look for it at La Cave for sure, Mensis Mahzen, Casa Botti, Grape Wine Boutique, Dekante, maybe Macro Center?
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
Libra, your relationships may be revealing truths that might be difficult to confront this month. But you don’t need to bulldoze your way towards adjustments; allow things to settle in their own time. Whether this current moment of change brings improvement or adversity, focus on what resonates with your heart. And generate the right amount of structure to support you as you navigate it. There are slivers of sunlight ahead.
The wine for you …
Paşaeli’s heart resonates to the flavors of unloved Turkish grapes. To give you a little inspiration and courage this month, try the Paşaeli Çalkarası Seahorse. Çalkarası has long been underappreciated and hidden in bulk wine blends but Paşaeli has brought it into the light and shown us what this grape can do! Not to mention, this fruity-citrusy-herby rosé is just oh so enjoyable!
Get it at Carrefour, Casa Botti, Grape Wine Boutique, Mensis Mahzen, Macro Center…
Scorpio (October 23 – November 22)
The energy you invest in each day is a limited and precious resource. You are not invincible. Be discerning in selecting where to direct your focus and efforts, for your well-being hinges on these choices. Consider the impact of your decisions on your health and vitality. Please ask for help and let people surprise you. Maybe it takes creativity and play to help you surpass your blocks so you can directly ask for what you desire and deserve.
The wine for you …
Nazan Uzun has poured all her energy into her Chateau Nuzun and her wines. Your wine: Chateau Nuzun Rose which is a power blend including Merlot, Çatal Karası, Öküzgözü, and Zinfandel. This is a darker rosé displaying aromas of red fruit an herbs and that has some serious structure going on. Very food friendly too. Let Nazan’s creativity with this blend inspire your own!
Not always an easy wine to find but I know for a fact that Rind carries it.
Sagittarius (November 23 – December 22)
Big questions this April for you, Sagittarius. Where do you find passion in your life? What ignites it—and inspires it? This month, reflect on what it means to pursue your deepest desires, especially around your sense of personal fulfillment and your desire to remain true to yourself. One way to begin looking into this is by asking yourself, what are some simple things you can do to center joy in as many of your activities and decisions?
The wine for you …
Many wineries in Turkey feel great passion for their region and the grapes that originate there. Like Canan Gerimli does with Central Anatolia and Kalecik Karası. So, your wine for April is the Gordias Kalecik Karası Beyazı. Canan calls this a “beyazı” (white) because it’s made via direct press and has had no skin contact at all. Despite that, it has a charmingly pale ballet slipper pink color. This wine is zingy and citrussy and oh so enjoyable.
The down side here is that it’s not especially easy to find, especially as a lot of last year’s white and rosé wines are out of stock in places and the new vintages aren’t quite available. Honestly, the most for sure way to get your hands on this one is to either a) badger your bottle shop into ordering some or b) order them from Gordias yourself.
Capricorn (December 23 – January 19)
Acknowledge the significance of your roots and upbringing, even if they harbor painful memories. Delve into your past to gain insights to empower your current life so you can live with grace and presence. April calls you to experiment and take bold risks—otherwise you may feel like you’re imploding with a new change that you have yet to imagine.
The wine for you …
Sibel Kutman of Doluca once told me that she and her brother, currently the third Kutman generation behind Doluca, feel the pressure of keeping up the family tradition while innovating with the winery. One of their innovations has been the Signium line to which they recently introduced a rosé. This month, let their bold risk, the Doluca Signium Pinot Noir rosé inspire your own! Beautifully crafted, it’s a heftier, more “serious” rosé that could change any rosé detractors mind!
This shouldn’t be overly difficult to find. Macro Center probably has it, Online Mahzen definitely does, I’ve seen it at La Cave, Casa Botti and Dekante are likely…
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.
- Donate to the volunteer response being carried out in Turkey by the trusted, independent NGOs İhtiyaç Haritası (Needs Map) or Ahbap.
- Hayata Destek (Support to Life), is a Turkish NGO experienced in providing humanitarian relief and working with underserved communities.
- 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 Helmets 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”