Your March 2022 Turkish Wine Horoscope
It may not seem like it with all the rain and cold days, but spring is just around the corner. Lent starts tomorrow (what are you sacrificing this year?), and soon Easter will come.
What else is around the corner? What does your horoscope say you should try drinking in March? Read on and find out!
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
Introspection is your word of the month. Take some time this month to focus on the deeper emotional needs in your life that you don’t usually allow yourself to think about or even acknowledge. You needn’t confront anyone with anything this month if you’re not ready. It’s perfectly fine to take the time to make sure you know what it is you need before addressing it with the people in your life.
The wine for you …
Amadeus MMX Amadei, available at La Cave (and possibly Solera) is a really interesting grape. The grape, Amadei, was recently created in Austria and is a cross of Welschriesling. Oliver Gareis of Amadeus MMX Wines fell in love with the grape at first sip and immediately asked the creator if he could order vines. Since he was the first commercial producer, the creator named the grape after his winery.
After working for years to develop the grape, then working with Amadeus to plant it on Bozcaada, the grape creator finally got to see the literal fruits of his labor come to life. In 2019, Amadeus released its first Amadei vintage (the 2018) and production grows little by little every year.
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
This month is a little contradictory for you Pisces. On the one hand, this month is going to be truly Spring-like for you as you shed your past and become excited about your future and the life you’re creating. On the other hand…you might find yourself facing challenges in your relationships.
If you’re in a romantic relationship, these challenges could bring you to the breaking point. But instead of letting them break you, face them head on (and do it together). Difficult issues arise in any relationship though, romantic or otherwise so don’t be surprised if something comes at you from friends or family. Remember that you chose your friends for a reason and fight for that relationship. Remember too that you are doomed to years of uncomfortable family gatherings if you let things go off the rails… Going through hardships with your loved one will only make you stronger going forwards.
The wine for you …
Ayda Bağları has made several different rosés over the years. This latest is like no rosé you’ve ever tried. Ayda Bağları crafted its 2020 VinAida Rosé entirely from Pinot Noir. Like most (if not all come to think of it) of its wines, this one both fermented and aged in oak barrels; a challenging wine for many. It is fascinating. Available only in limited quantities, you can try to find it at Mensis Mahzen, Dekante, Santé Wine & More, and Grape Wine Boutique.
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
You’re kind of the opposite side of the coin from Aquarius this month. You too need to start prioritizing how you feel and work on your mental health. However, Aries specifically should focus on how this affects their work life this month. Taking a little time to give your mental healthy a check in and some pampering will increase your ability to meet your goals. It will also help you address some responsibilities that you’ve been neglecting.
Work smarter, not faster.
The wine for you …
Speaking of working smarter and taking your time…wild fermented wines have become increasingly popular in Turkey of the last few years. Whether you know it or not though, one of the wineries at the forefront of this trend was Büyülübağ. Owner Alp Törüner started experimenting with small batches of wild ferment Cabernet Sauvignon ages ago. He was also the first to advertise that he was doing this by putting ‘wild ferment’ on the label. Look for it at Mensis Mahzen, Comedus, Iyi Şarap, Mahzen 26, Vinus, and Macro Center.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
This month, take the time to put extra effort and love into your relationships (romantic, friendships, professional, and otherwise). March is also a great month for you for networking. People will feel that positive energy you’re already pumping out which will make creating professional connections and new opportunities effortless.
For those taken Tauruses though, beware that your dating life could take a turn for the life of a singleton. Serious “what/where are we” conversations may lead you to Splitsville but if this relationships is holding you back or forcing you to be not you, it’s for the best.
The wine for you …
Speaking of energy…the wine for you has it (but it’ll also take some to find it). Gali Viognier isn’t easy to track down, usually available only from the winery but I’ve seen it at Santé Wine & More. Viognier wine is well-known for having a lot of weight and sometimes feeling fat or oily. While Gali’s version has all the perfumed fruit hallmarks of the grape, it stands out for its tension and mineral streak that gives the wine a spark like no other Turkish Viognier.
Gemini (May 20 – June 20)
Get yourself some metaphoric blinders this month to help keep you on track. Don’t allow hobbies, gossip, or general laziness to get in your way. This is one of those months when the main thing tripping you up will be your own feet.
This is especially important for any of you Gemini holding yourselves back out of fear of perusing your dreams. Unless your dream is pretty far-fetched (I really wanted to be a pirate but I don’t fancy living in Somalia…) there are few good reasons why you should not be going for it.
The wine for you …
Likya sure knows how to go after a dream. Since the winery first rescued the local grape, Acıkara, its pursued other disappearing grapes in Turkey including Fersun and Merzifon Karası. Merzifon Karası, while native to Turkey, is not native to Elmalı where the winery is but to Merzifon in the north. The grape has found a new home in Likya’s vineyards high up in the Taurus mountains and the wines are fantastically fruity and crunchy and so food-friendly!
Look for the Likya Arkeo Merzifon Karası at Mensis Mahzen, Santé Wine & More, Dekante, Rind, and Mahzen 26.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
Look out Cancers, March is going to reflect back at you like a funhouse mirror as this month will seem particularly otherworldly to you. Expect your worldview to go a little topsy tuvy and to be challenged as you consider alternative perspectives and empathize with other people’s views. Be open to questioning yourself and some of your most tightly clung to beliefs.
The wine for you …
For many, the thought of drinking rosé is enough to make you question your life choices. To drink it not in summer though! Gasp! But really, while it’s nice to sip it in the heat of summer, rosé is a year-round wine. One of the things that makes it so is its incredible ability to pair well with a huge range of food. Vino Dessera Pürneşe blush is not only food-friendly (they recommended I have it with spaghetti carbonara) but is also pocket friendly. It’s not super easy to find but check out Solera and larger grocery chains like Macro Center, Carrefour, and Migros.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
Oh Leos, Leos, Leos…I don’t think March is going to be fun for us. We’ve becomes complacent in our routines and need to shake things up a bit. For some Leos, this could be as simple as remembering to go outside more, get away from work, etc. Some of us will not be so lucky. New year’s resolution time has come and gone and (whether or not we made a resolution), we need to admit that the scales have tipped the wrong way and finally do something about it. Fat Tuesday is this month, let’s remember that it is supposed to be just one day a year and not every Tuesday.
The wine for you …
Tafali Kalecik Karası! Start shaking things up by trying wine from a new (ish) winery! The latest addition to Central Anatolia comes from Kalecik-based Tafali winery. For the moment, the two women behind this winery focus entirely on the local Kalecik Karası and make a red and a rosé. Wines are hand-crafted in this small production winery. Which, on the one hand is a great selling point, but on the other means they’re not easy to find. Santé Wine & More and Rind have at least the red and I suspect that Vinus and Grape Wine Boutique might as well.
Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
If prince (or princess) charming walked up to introduce himself to you right now, would you really be ready? I don’t mean, “how’s your hair look today” ready, but ready on a deep level. Are there any issues from your past that you’re hanging onto or things about yourself that not even you like but that you continue to ignore? That stuff doesn’t just go away on its own. It needs work. We all bring baggage to any relationship but it’s important to make sure that it meets the weight allowance, you know?
And while the above is specifically about romance (because don’t horoscopes only ever seem to care about love and work?) it is generally good advice for life and your interactions with other people.
The wine for you …
Hunt down a bottle of Barel Bağları Gamay from Rind, Mensis Mahzen, or Iyi Şarap this month. Sometimes you’re not in a place for bold, full-bodied, super tannic wines, but you still want a sip on something red. In this case, Gamay is your grape. Smooth red fruits with earthy highlights and a silky texture will give you all the goodness of red wine without having to brace yourself for a tannic assault.
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
There are two sides to March for the Libras out there and I’m betting you all know into which of these two categories you fall.
First we have the Libras who allow themselves to get distracted by other people’s emotional neediness. Stop it. Getting wrapped up in other people’s problems and drama distracts you from your own trajectory and puts unnecessary emotional strain on you. Sure, pat a friend’s head if need be but set up some boundaries and lock the gate.
Then there are the Libras who find themselves going out of their way for others…but not for altruistic reasons. Deep down you do with the unspoken expectation of receiving something back. You stop it too. You’re putting unfair expectations on others that will only lead to hurt feelings all around.
Regardless of on which side of all this you reside, call yourself out when you fall back into old habits.
The wine for you …
In many ways, Sevilen’s head winemaker Sibel Çoban goes out of her way to create really fabulous wines. One series in which she takes particular pride is the Plato line. One of the four wines n this series, the Sevilen Plato Öküzgözü (found at Mensis Mahzen, Dekante, La Cave, and elsewhere) is so good that it’s worth getting emotional over.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 22)
Scorpios, bust out your Crayons and kazoos this month! Well, maybe not those things specifically, but it’s important that you make time this month to celebrate art and music. And even more important that you do it in a way you can have fun with. Not everything you do has to be perfect. (Or you could have a riot splattering paint on a canvass, hang it, and pretend it’s a Pollack. Literally no know will know the difference).
You’re going to want the fun because March also might push you to address some friendship drama that you’ve been hanging onto. Remember that there’s a way to be direct and honest without coming across as critical or confrontational.
The wine for you …
People often equate winemaking with art. Good wine, anyway. Chamlija’s wines often give you a double whammy of art; both in the wine and in the whimsical and sometimes downright fantastic labels created by winery owner’s daughter Irem. Chamlija Asticus Mons Cabernet Franc, available at places such as Mensis Mahzen, Dekante, and Iyi Şarap, will set you back a fair amount of money. But if March is all about enjoying art for you, it’s a splurge you won’t regret.
Sagittarius (November 23 – December 22)
Sagittarius, this month you will be focused on making your deepest wishes come true. These might be desires of yours that you haven’t shared with anyone and perhaps were too nervous to talk about. Let your wishful thinking carry you, and embrace your natural positivity.
You’ll find yourself bringing projects to a close this month, but be aware that the success may not be as satisfying or glamorous as you imagined. Practice celebrating your achievements as stepping stones that will take you closer to your greater ambitions. And if you’re not 100% on what that greater ambition is…well let’s just hope those stepping stones are well grouted.
The wine for you …
Making your dreams come true is in many ways its own reward…but even a victory such as that could use an extra sweetener! To celebrate being brave enough to pursue your dreams, treat yourself to a bottle of Corvus Passito this month. The wine, which you can find in La Cave, Mensis Mahzen, Iyi Sarap, like Dekante, and elsewhere is not cheap. But it’s worth it. And remember that sweet wines keep for several week after being opened (as long as they’re in the fridge!) so, yes the price tag is a splurge but you can enjoy it over a longer period.
Capricorn (December 23 – January 19)
For you Capricorns, March is about opening up and allowing yourself to be vulnerable. People can more easily connect with you if they can relate to you on an experiential and emotional level. You may find that those in your circle who have become distant of late come back to you if they understand the emotions behind your actions. Unless you’re a friend of mine as I prefer you keep your emotions far away from me.
You might also find yourself changing your outlook on a number of things this month. Consider how your perspective has limited your opportunities and and allow for some shifts in thinking that will help you to embark on new journeys.
The wine for you …
A little bit like Cancers are having a topsy turvy month with rosé, so will you. Thanks to California, much of the world has a skeptical at best outlook on rosé wine made with Zinfandel. Karnas Zinfandel Rosé will change your mind. This is no saccharine “white” Zinfandel but a serious wine with savory flavors and tangy acidity. Sadly it’s not available everywhere but Mensis Mahzen definitely has it. Comedus might as well.