Your February 2022 Turkish Wine Horoscope
Did you participate in dry January? I surely did not! If you did though, I’ll be you’re really ready for a little tipple! In which case, I’ve got you covered.
What does your horoscope say you should try drinking in February? Read on and find out!
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
When was the last time you felt entirely like yourself? Do you even remember what that feels like? Use this month to try to reconnect to that feeling. Maybe it means changing up your style, hunting down a friend you haven’t seen in years, or resurrecting a childhood dream.
You may also find this month that you’re having difficulty finding a balance between your relationships (romantic or otherwise) and your own independence. Remember that you’re not the only one who needs space.
The wine for you …
Try Saranta’s Öküzgözü this month. Saranta makes two different wines with Öküzgözü so make sure you’re getting the right one! The Saranta line includes red and white wines with little to no oak influence because they want to highlight the essence of the fruit itself without any of the bells and whistles oak adds.
Look for this wine at Mensis Mahzen, Dekante, and İyi Şarap – and of course you always have the option of ordering direct!
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
People admire you for your ability to support others. However, if you’re not careful, you’ll find that that you’re losing a little freedom in doing so. Make sure you’re maintaining some boundaries and not letting other people’s problems overwhelm you. It’s okay to help but their problems are *their* problems, not yours.
Maybe wait to be asked for help as a way to take some of the weight off yourself.
The wine for you …
This month for a wine you should try Vino Dessera Entrika Emir. You need a light wine because you’re already dealing with a lot of heaviness and pressure in your life. Vino Dessera’s Entrika Emir is reasonably priced (well it used to be anyway!) but is light-bodied with lively acidity and citrussy-floral flavors that will make your whole life seem a little more sprightly.
Available at Carrefour, some Macro Centers, winery direct, and let me know if you see it anywhere else!
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
Got any group projects underway? Maybe there’s a team activity at work? This is your month to shine in that environment and lead your team, friends, etc. However, while your input will earn you praise, don’t forget you weren’t the only one working. Make sure to share the glory.
The wine for you …
Speaking of sharing the glory…often props for good wine go to the winery owner. If for no other reason than that being the name you know. Ardıç Gürsel, owner of Vinkara, is up-front about the fact that she doesn’t make the wine at her winery and has no idea how to do so. She gives all the credit to the winery’s Italian winemaking consultant Marco Monchiero and winemaker Candaş Misir.
Try the Vinkara Mahzen Narince. So beautifully made that, even if you’re anti-oak in white wine like I am, I promise you’ll love it. Check La Cave, Mensis Mahzen, Dekante, Macro Center, and other places that carry Vinkara.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
February will be a challenging month for you and your ability to prioritize. Make lists, use an app like Asana, set realistic goals and map out a plan to achieve then.
One of the things you need to put on that check list is YOU. Make sure that you don’t neglect your own health and well-being while you burn through all your ‘to-dos’.
The wine for you …
You’ve got enough on your mind this February to worry about what you’re drinking. The best wine for your then, is a wine you don’t have to think about before you open. A no brainer/no worrying if it’s good or not wine. That is the Arda Kuşlu Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon.
You can always count on good quality from Arda and the Kuşlu line offers great performance for value. Look for it at Mensis Mahzen, La Cave, Rind, possibly Dekante, Solera, and more.
Gemini (May 20 – June 20)
The truly wise never stop learning or questioning. This month you have the chance to put that into practice when you learn something or receive advice that Blows. Your. Mind. Use this as an opportunity to dive into subjects that interest you. Go beyond a surface Wikipedia scan of something and really get into the meat of it. You’ll find that not only exercises your brain, but that you also sparkle more in conversations, and that people will look to your for your authority on more subjects.
The wine for you …
You cannot get more curious about or authoritative on a subject than Paşaeli is about Çalkarası. This winery has explored almost every aspect of this grape and what it can do! All I’m waiting on is the sparkling blanc de noir. That not available, try Paşaeli’s blanc de noir (still) Çalkarası. Not only will you love the label, but you’ll enjoy the charming version of this red grape!
Look for it at Mensis Mahzen, Dekante, maybe Santé Wine & More and Mahzen 26 have it…?
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
Many of us singletons are thinking about relationships with the ‘alone for Valentines Day’ stigma looming over us. If you are single (and want to change that) focus on forming deep connections with people this month. Intellectual bonds are a good foundation on which to build more intimate relationships. Be open to others and help them trust you. And don’t be too quick to form judgmental first impressions.
If you’re not single and/or don’t mind being single, this is still pretty good general advice.
The wine for you …
Speaking of deep connections…old vines are prized in winemaking, partially because their roots have dug deep into the ground. There is no widely-accepted or legal definition of “old” but generally a vine isn’t given the moniker until it’s at least 35 years old. Merson-based winery Selefkia has a Patkara vineyard with vines aged an average of 60 to 80 years old. Old by anyone’s definition!
This is definitely available at La Cave, maybe also at Solera, Dekante, and Mensis Mahzen as they all carry a number of Selefkia wines.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
This month, focus on trying to drown out the noise from others’ voices and opinions. If you need to, take some time to re-evaluate and remind yourself what it is you like about you, and what you do well. While seeking feedback from friends and family can be constructive, don’t rely too heavily on them because the most important thing is that you’re happy with yourself. You’re the one who has to live with you after all.
Remember that what you think about yourself is always more important than others’ opinions of you.
The wine for you …
Honestly, there’s no special connection this month between the Leo horoscope and the suggested wine. Sevilen Plato Narince is one of my new favorite wines and I’m a Leo. So there you go!
I feel like I’ve been waiting ages for Sevilen to release a high quality Narince and last fall they did. Part of the winery’s native grape Plato series, this one will set you back a wee little but it’s absolutely worth it.
In theory, available at Mensis Mahzen (per their price list which is not always accurate to what they have in stock) and possibly also at La Cave. Anyone sees it elsewhere let me know!
Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
Getting stuck in a rut can have an adverse affect on all aspects of your life. You’re mental healthy, physical health, energy, mental capacity, relationships etc. Life yourself out of that and get re-inspired…by you! Do something to break out of that by trying to make a new dish, do a new workout, try yogra nidra, or even offer to help someone else with a task they have to tackle.
You’ll find that, even if you didn’t really enjoy the new activity(!) you’ll still get a mental/physical boost and will feel fresher and ready to get back to business.
The wine for you …
Talking of trying something new and out of the ordinary, Let’s talk about Midin Wine’s Cehennem Deresi Bilbilzeki. Not only is this the only winery working with the grape, but the grape itself is unusual in several ways. One of which being that the vines offer two separate harvests a full two months apart!
Midin wines are more and more available now and you can find them at Dekante, Mahzen 26, Mensis Mahzen, and elsewhere.
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
Unlike those born under Pisces, this month you need to be offering help without being asked. Some people don’t know how to ask for help, support, or motivation. Find ways to inspire the people in your circle. Share your creative projects, talk about your own inspirations, and talk to them about how you overcame challenges on the way to success.
Make an effort this month to bring beauty and joy into others’ life.
The wine for you …
A new creative project from Ma’Adra will bring both beauty and joy in the form of their new Öküzgözü wine! Until now, Ma’Adra has used Öküzgözü only for the winery’s rosé. However, they’ve now come out with a red wine made via carbonic maceration.
At the moment it seems to be only available directly but trust me, totally worth it.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 22)
It’s time to Munkensmat your world!
For those who are not Brooklyn Nine-Nine fans a) I don’t know if we can be friends and b) you need to get on that. Munkensmat, otherwise known as Swedish Death Cleaning, isn’t as scary as it sounds. The concept urges you to go through your things and purge anything that’s extraneous, that you don’t need/use etc.
For you, this could be an actual physical purge of things, or clearing away the mind clutter and negative energy that’s blocking your path and putting strains on your emotions. Do some inward reflecting about what needs to go. You may need to make some difficult decisions but in the end you’ll get back the clarity you need to move forward.
The wine for you …
Tomurcukbağ doesn’t exactly employ Munkesmat in that owner and winemaker Prof. Dr. Sabit Ağaoğlu doesn’t need to get rind of extraneous things because he doesn’t start out with them. The godfather of Kalecik Karası, well-known for his natural red wines, has released a new Narince. His first time working with this grape.
Available at La Cave and Dekante.
Sagittarius (November 23 – December 22)
Sagittarians are going to be popular and sought after this month. Your social life could take a busy turn or you may find yourself in a new position of leadership. And while people may be drawn to you asking for your input and guidance, don’t let it all go to your head. Take a leaf from the Geminis and remember that life is a never ending learning opportunity and act as both teacher and student.
The wine for you …
While her position of leadership isn’t quite new anymore, when Işıl Bultusuz took over as head winemaker at Uçmakdere, she made a lot of changes for the good. Under her direction, the wines have improved greatly and, if the tasting I had of the new vintage are a good reflection of the wines, continue to improve. Try the Uçmakdere Firuze Cabernet Sauvignon, one of my go-to Cabs!
Look for it at Mensis Mahzen, A Wine Store (I think…) and winery direct.
Capricorn (December 23 – January 19)
We’re all feeling the pinch of Turkey’s latest inflation and the bottoming out of the lira, especially some of you Capricorns. Be on the lookout (if not also possibly the actual hunt) for ways to bring in additional income this month. And while it’s hard not to be, don’t be all doom and gloom about the situation. Some optimism and innovation with your finances can help you settle any outstanding debts and enable you to make life comfortable.
The wine for you …
No hidden messages in the wine choice for you this month! With your financial travails, you just need some decent but moderately priced. Küp Şarap Thia Fumé Blanc (usually around 100 TL) and available pretty widely at places like Solera, Savoy Tekel, Mensis Mahzen, possibly Rind, and other places is a really decent wine for the price.