Your December 2023 Turkish Wine Horoscope
December 1, 2023 6Articles, Red Wine, Rose Wine, Sparkling Wine, Turkish Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews
Since November seems to have forgot how to be autumn, we’ll see what kind of weather December has in store. The seasons here can be such a rollercoaster throwing ups and downs and twists and turns at us. Much like life itself does. And as we approach this final month of 2023, many are taking stock of what happened during the year and making plans and resolutions for the year ahead.
Me, I’m ignoring the future. It’ll always be there tomorrow. December is all about Christmas and I cannot wait to put up the tree and dive into Christmas music and movies. So yeah, we all have a different approach to the close of the year. But of course the big question, is what will we be drinking while we face it?
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
It looks like the future is calling you already, Aquarius. There’s no need really to wait until the new year to make changes or plans. Especially not when you hear a siren’s song calling you to exploration.
Maybe some travel? Or learning a new skill, exploring a new hobby? Exploration can mean so many things and December is encouraging you to discover at least one to help bring about new beginnings and long overdue changes in your life.
The wine for you …
If you’re exploring new things and scaling peaks (real or allegorical), you should have a wine that does the same. Akın Gürbüz Hieron Oros. The blend here changes vintage by vintage, but whatever it contains, it is a powerful testament to the winemaker’s own explorations.
Find it at places like Rind (for sure), Mensis Mahzen, possibly Casa Botti, Comedus, and Dekante.
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
Yes, yes, it’s the Christmas season with all the feasts and goodies that go along with it. But should you be indulging? Unfortunately, you need to put less emphasis on celebrating the season and more on getting healthy this month, Pisces. Reviving your sense of discipline and self-denial … even acknowledging that your life is unhealthy, can be a deeply emotional process. 
The wine for you …
Is it ironic to suggest a wine given your horoscope? Perhaps this is the treat you allow yourself this month. And it is a treat, especially for red wine lovers in Turkey who like neither big tannins nor big oak. The Heraki Akuarela Boğazkere shows off a lighter, more elegant style of the country’s biggest, baddest grape. Just what you need this month.
Get it from La Cave, Mensis Mahzen (best prices I’ve seen around), Grand Cru, Casa Botti, Grape Wine Boutique, Iyi Sarap, Santé Wine & More, probably Dekante.
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
You have a lot of responsibilities and people counting on you. That can feel, at times, like a crushing weight. Make sure that you find time in there to meet your own needs as well, be they for your health, creativity, or just those little things that always need doing but for which there never seems to be time. Take that time this month, especially if there are any projects that truly ignite your passion. 
Similarly, take some time for exploration of a new topic, skill, hobby…anything that will help ignite that spark. What or where would you like to explore to the deepest depths? Go there.
The wine for you …
Discovering a passion and exploring depths is something they specialize in at Vino Dessera. The Dönmez family started making wine for friends and family then, as word got out, random strangers started just showing up just to buy their wine! Since December 4 is Cab Franc day, that makes it a perfect month for you to try the Vino Dessera Cabernet Franc!
Look for it at Grape Wine Spirits Boutique, Rind, for sure at Aperitivo Istanbul.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Tis’ the season of invitations galore! But the question you need to ask yourself this month is: who do you want by your side throughout the seasons? In the ups and downs of life, having people you can call on at all hours is a necessity. You might not actually ring up anyone at 3am for a metaphoric shoulder, but even knowing you have someone you can ring up provides relief. 
So, during this season’s hustle and bustle, make sure to take some time away from the tree trimming parties and twinkle lights for some quiet ‘you time’ reflection of what you’re going through…but take comfort in knowing you have someone you can call…even if said person is a little grumpy at 3am.
The wine for you …
Just as we can take comfort in knowing we have someone reliable upon whom we can depend, so too is it really nice to know there are some wineries here that we can always depend on to deliver quality. For me, one of the best (and at still very reasonable prices) is Chateau Nuzun. This month, try the Chateau Nuzun Selvi Karası – Çatal Karası blend. Winery owner Nazan Uzun unearthed these two native grapes and has been hard at work propagating them for years now. In 2015, she finally had enough of both grapes to make a wine with them…but only enough to make a blend with both of them in it.
Find it sometimes at Rind, also Casa Botti, Mahzen 26, Santé Wine & More, Twin Coffee, and Grape Wine Spritis Boutique are all good bets.
Gemini (May 20 – June 20)
All of life is relationships. Despite the heavy focus on individualism in society, it’s your connections that weave the fabric of your life’s purpose. December urges you to prioritize the people who are most important to you. Share your burdens with trusted beloveds who are capable of sharing—and perhaps lightening—your load. Seek solace in the presence of those who offer care and love.
The wine for you …
While spending time with people you love and who love you is a great way to lighten a load, having a really excellent wine surely doesn’t hurt either. Especially if you share with with those people. For you this month then, not only should you look for the Vinolus Narince you should share it with at least one person. While it’s so delicious you may feel a little sad that you didn’t keep the whole bottle for yourself, sharing good wine with friends adds immeasurably to the pleasure you get from the wine.
There are a number of places you can look for this one. Try La Cave, Mensis Mahzen, Grape Wine Spirits Boutique, Dekante, Santé Wine & More, Casa Botti, Mahzen 26…
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, don’t forget to prioritize your mind, body, and soul in there somewhere too. Be it more (or any at all) gym time, reading a new book, cooking a nice meal for yourself, these activities all help create a more healthy lifestyle. Especially needed during this time of the year. 
The wine for you …
Is wine really “healthy”? Not the way I drink it, it’s not anyway! Buuuut, much like the holiday cheer and gym time, everything in moderation is fine. And if you have to moderate, you might as well be drinking a really good wine like the Likya Boğazkere.
Get this from Mensis Mahzen, Dekante, La Cave maybe, Santé Wine & More, Casa Botti, I think, Mahzen 26, etc. AND if you really want an extra treat, these shops all seem to have different vintages. Look for it at a couple places and compare vintages!
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
Amid the whirlwind of this joyous season blows yet another wind…one of change. You’ll soon be rounding a corner in your life. Whether it is personal or professional or an entirely different journey remains to be seen but keep moving forward. Find ways to keep yourself grounded so any changes the wind brings aren’t too disruptive to your life as a whole. And remember to still enjoy the Christmas season!
The wine for you …
One way to make sure you’re celebrating is with, you guessed it, bubbles! Try the Paşaeli Naif Çalkarası Blush. As a Pét-Nat, it has a mildly bubbly froth. As a rosé Çalkarası, it has a mildly bitter (think pink grapefruit pith and red fruits) flavor that’s great to sip on its own, or pair with a variety of light foods. As an aperitif, it would be a great way to great any guests you are having over for a holiday dinner!
Look for it at Mensis Mahzen, Casa Botti, Santé Wine & More, Online Mahzen (best price here!), Comedus, and elsewhere.
Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
All the seasonal magic in the air will spark some creative fire in you this month, Virgos! Fan those flames and set fire to the world (please, not literally) with your new projects. Whatever your project might be, let this month be your experiment. No one can overdue the glitter, twinkle, and bold colors during this season so go nuts and you can figure out how to pull back on it for normal times after the new year.
The wine for you …
While you’re going crazy with the glue gun, try an elegant wine that might help you temper the more out there creative influences: Arcadia Papaskarsi Blanc de Noir. Also trust me on this one, let it open and warm up a couple degrees before trying it.
Look for it at Mensis Mahzen, Casa Botti, Santé Wine & More, Dekante, Grape Wine Spirit Boutique, etc.
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
While this is usually a joyful season, some of us have black clouds that darken the bright twinkle lights. Often these feelings make us want to shrink away from social engagements, anything resembling holiday cheer, and even those closest to us. Resist that! Isolation often makes your problems seem bigger than they are. 
The wine for you …
Sometimes even the little things in life can help lift spirits enormously. This month, I challenge you to not only try a new wine, but pay attention to these little things so that you can really appreciate them. So, your wine to try is the Paşaeli Sultaniye. One of the first producers to make a decent wine with this grape, Paşaeli makes a sweet and dry version and you should try to track down the dry one.
La Cave often carries this, you might also find it at Casa Botti, Mensis Mahzen, Dekante, possibly Grape Wine Spirits Boutique…
Scorpio (October 23 – November 22)
Communication is not usually easy and becomes increasingly difficult the more important the topic. Especially for those of us who don’t like to share our feelings. However, it is especially important for you to be able to find the right way to express yourself this month. Find the exact language to convey your intentions, needs, feelings…while uncomfortable at the time (and possibly the several minutes after) will be the only way for you to move forward this December. 
The wine for you …
Something nice, gentle, and always enjoyable for you this month: Vinkara Hasandede. This grape doesn’t get a lot of love but it sure gives it with juicy citrus and ofttimes semi-tropical flavors. It has taken a few years to really find its feet…but of if it can do that, so can you.
Happily this will be a lot easier to find then talking about your feelings…get it from Carrefour (possibly also Macro Center), La Cave, Mensis Mahzen, Vinus
Sagittarius (November 23 – December 22)
Focus on tending to your needs so you can be more available to others and the causes you truly care about. You cannot help water the collective garden from an empty well. Take stock of the resources at your disposal—your strengths, skills and support network. Understand that making mistakes is part of progress. Learn from them and use those lessons to propel yourself forward. Be kind to yourself in these moments—they’re opportunities to grow.
The wine for you …
One of the things I love about Sevilen as a company is that they both allow growth, their head winemaker Sibel being a great example of that, and they look for opportunities to do so. One opportunity they found was with their Sevilen Yapıncak. Several years ago, they “found” an old Yapıncak vineyard that they hadn’t been doing much with and decided to make a single variety wine with it. To great success.
Find this at Macro Center, Migros, and Iyi Sarap.
Capricorn (December 23 – January 19)
Amid the extroverted buzz of December, embrace the beauty of solitude. Sometimes, the greatest gift is the space to rediscover your center. Allow yourself ample moments of meaningful hermit time, a refuge from the whirlwind outside. It’s a chance to regroup, to reflect and to gather the strength needed for what lies ahead. Let this quiet time be a beacon guiding you toward deeper understanding and renewed resilience.
The wine for you …
This month, get your hands on a bottle of Suvla Karasakız. There’s more attention being paid to this grape these days, however yavaş yavaş the progress is. Suvla was really the first winery to put some effort into it. And while the company’s quality has gone downhill in recent years (in my opinion), the Karasakız is still worth a look.
Nice and easy to find it is too! Obviously the Suvla shops will carry it, it’s also widely available at places like Carrefour, Macro Center, Migros, and Online Mahzen.
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”