Your May 2023 Turkish Wine Horoscope
Well April was kind of miserable, wasn’t it? Hopefully it’s true about April showers bringing May flowers. Given the amount of rain we got, if it is true, we’re going to be drowning in flowers! But, temperatures do seem to finally be on the rise and soon we’ll be reveling in the warmer temperatures and sunshine. The promise of such nice weather deserves some good wine to go with it!
What will I – and more importantly you! – be drinking this month? Read on to find out!
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
Be on the look out for major changes unfolding in your life this May. Achieving new heights in your career, meeting goals on the journey to achieving your dream, a sudden uptick in your popularity, or other dramatic experiences* are on the horizon this month. Exciting as any of these things may be, remember that even if these sound like great things, big changes are an upheaval and may end up feeling a little bittersweet. Enjoy the moment but keep your feet in reality. 
*Let’s hope if these “dramatic experiences” are elections-related, they’re good drama. And I think we’re all on the same page re what good is in this context.
The wine for you …
Kalecik Karası knows what it feels like to go from zero to hero on the popularity scale. Now the second most popular (native) black grape in Turkey, as recently ago as the early 70s this grape was practically extinct. Now it’s made by scores of wineries into red, rosé, blanc de noir, sparkling, and sweet wines!
So, your wine for May 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.
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
Take a big inhale Pisces then let it go and relax. Whatever tumultuousness you’ve been experiencing recently will lift this month and you’ll be able to find your balance again. Let your imagination loose a little and feel free to speak up with ideas and suggestions at work or among your friends. You’ll realize that people are eager to hear your ideas. Don’t let the praise for a good idea be your only motivation though.
The wine for you …
Someone who seems to be full of good ideas is Sibel Çoban, head winemaker at Sevilen. Her Innocent Angel gets probably equal amounts of praise as it does criticism. But good flavors and good wine motivate Sibel (and she doesn’t let the criticism stop her) so she keeps on keeping on.
Taking her work as your inspiration, try Sevilen’s Innocent Angel this month. A splashy rosé with a great label, this Syrah-Sauvignon Blanc blend as lively acidity, bright citrus and tropical flavors, with enough edge to be serious.
Tricky to find at the moment. La Cave and Iyi Sarap often have it but they seem out of stock at the moment. You could try Mensis Mahzen, Kibbé, Grand Cru…
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
May for you is going to be a little like driving through a tunnel without lights. You may feel a little scared as you carefully explore the darkness, feeling your way through slowly. Eventually though, you will see the light at the end of the tunnel. Take some calming breaths and learn to embrace the darkness instead of running away from it. When you do, you’ll come out the other side a more complete, accepting, and accepted person. 
The wine for you …
To help shine a wee light into the darkness this month, try the Chamlija Papaskarası Blanc de Noir. A white wine made with a black grape, this is a white wine like we don’t often see in Turkey. Racy acidity, structure, and texture all set it apart from other wines.
Get it from Online Mahzen, Twins Coffee, Mensis Mahzen might have some left. You could try also Casa Botti, Dekante, and Mahzen 26.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Are you reaching your potential? That’s a really tough question. How many of us really are? What separates people is not necessarily those who are or are not reaching their potential … but those who are trying to do so. But of course, what IS your potential? Sometimes figuring that out is as difficult as getting there.
Don’t stress yourself out about it, but take some time to have a serious think. Where you are now, what you’re doing, the path you’re on … are these all things towards your true potential? Since we don’t have a Morpho machine (is everyone else also watching The Big Door Prize?) take a little time this month, go sit among the tulips, and have a think.
The wine for you …
Like people, grapes all have potential. Sometimes it’s limited. Some grapes make only one kind of wine. Others make all sorts of styles. One grape that still has some potential to explore is Ada Karası. We currently have it as reds, rosés, and in red blends. But maybe it could be a blanc de noir or a pét-nat! Try one of those this month, specifically, the Büyülübağ Ada Karası. This light-weight red wine has a strong kick of black pepper and pairs well with all your favorite meats, heavier fish, and veg…especially if you’ve already broken out the grill. Try drinking it lightly chilled.
Find this at Comedus, Mahzen 26, and Mensis Mahzen.
Gemini (May 20 – June 20)
This is your month, Gemini!
While May is going to start off slowly, you’ll hit your groove soon enough and be ready to tackle any challenges, make clear-headed decisions, and enjoy yourself. No serious impediments for you this month, but don’t let the extra energy you get go to waste without considering how to face some of the decisions or challenges that are in the periphery. The extra boost you get this month will help you live as the freshest, healthiest, happiest version of yourself.
The wine for you …
To start you off on the right foot to enjoying yourself…Ayda Bağları has made several different rosés over the years. This latest is like no rosé you’ve ever tried, from them or from anyone else! Ayda Bağları crafted its 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 though and, even if you do not generally like oak matured wines, please believe me – er, the universe woooooooo – that this is worth putting aside your anti-oak sentiments and trying.
Available only in limited quantities, you can try to find it at Mensis Mahzen, Dekante, Santé Wine & More, and Grape Wine Boutique
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
May is a good month for you, Cancer. Apparently, all your loved ones are thinking about you this month and want to spoil you. Let them!! I mean, obviously, right? Let yourself relax among those you trust without getting moody or defensive with them. 
The wine for you …
This would work so much better if I (ahem, the universe) where suggesting Gürbüz’s Mood blush. But no. Your wine this month is the not Mood Gürbüz Blush.
Made from 100% Kalecik Karası, this is a smart, classy, fruity-savory rosé. It’s fresh and yummy without being simple…a little like you!
Get it at Iyi Sarap, Mensis Mahzen, probably Rind, Casa Botti, Dekante, Twins Coffee, maybe Grape Wine Boutique and Santé Wine and More.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
Your motto should be “Leos First”. Self-sabotage and letting others lean on you too much is getting in the way of you achieving your goals. Heck, your own perceptions are sometimes pretty wonky and need some realignment.
Rethink some things in your life, be it your relationships or your own skewed view of things, and get rid of anything that is not taking you to the next step. Whatever your next step may be.
The wine for you …
Did you know that Edirne is a beer and rakı city? Tis true. Or twas true…The Saç family behind Arda winery knows about goals and shifting perceptions. When they opened their winery, Edirne was all about beer and rakı. S few years later, close to half of their production is sold locally.
Arda Rezerv Narince shows both how well Narince does in Thrace and what a small amount of well-used oak can do to enrich wine. Beautifully made, a wine that will age well for several years at least, and something that’s not horribly priced these days.
Look for it at La Cave, Mensis Mahzen, Rind, Solera, Comedus…
Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
Virgo, expect to feel a sudden quest for knowledge and wisdom this month. We know you’re stubborn and that you like to cling to old ideas. But trading old ideas for new (equally) narrow-minded thoughts isn’t any better.
Seek this knowledge for which you’re suddenly thirsty in places, people, and concepts you might not have otherwise. Be curious and get outside your box.
The wine for you …
Your wine this month is something that requires some curiosity to appreciate. Selefkia Old Vine Göküzüm is not like other Göküzüms you’ve tried (assuming you have tried the other…well two). It’s unusual. While not made with oxidative methods, there’s a Jura/Sherry (dry salty Sherry a la Manzanilla) quality to it that makes it something different.
You can definitely get this from La Cave because that’s recently where I bought mine. Elsewhere…not so sure.
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
Get ready to feel the scales tipping in your favor this month, Libra. You will overcome past insecurities in May helping you to not only gain more confidence, but realize that you’re more resilient and secure than you thought you were.
While you won’t experience any dramatic triumphs (or fails), this new outlook you have will see you through the month with a contented, all is right in the world feeling.
The wine for you …
Something to help give you that ‘all is right in the world’ feeling is a reasonably priced wine! I know, there aren’t that many of them left. This month, try Kuzubağ Çal Karası. This Cinderella grape is really starting to take the stage with higher quality bottlings than we’ve seen in the past and Kuzubağ is using it in several wines. A rich, oaky red blend, not too big for the coming warm spring weather, this is a delicious wine to sip with cheese or pair with a full meal.
Find it at places like Casa Botti, Grape Wine Boutique, Mensis Mahzen, and Iyi Sarap.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 22)
Brace yourself, Scorpio, there’s a lunar eclipse headed right for your house this month. The eclipse will act as the catalyst for intense life redirections that inspire you to take a cautious step into unfamiliar waters. This could take on many meanings such as: a new direction or expansion in your career, a new relationship or level in your relationship, a move…
Whatever it is, be on the lookout for signs around the time of the eclipse to give you a clue.
The wine for you …
Cataclysmic is the new Emir from Argos in Cappadocia, the Nahita Dokya Tek Parsel. Made from one small parcel in high elevation vineyards, this Emir shows all the best the grape has to offer with electric acidity, splashes of lime and other citrus, and a streak of minerality.
One note when you’re looking for this – Argos has TWO Nahita Dokya Emir wines. You want to look for the Tek Parsel. Trust me. Try for it at Grape Wine Boutique, Online Mahzen, probably Dekante…
Sagittarius (November 23 – December 22)
May will bring you time for introspection, Sagittarius. Allow yourself some time to reflect on fears or painful memories you have struggled to leave in the past. Creating some restorative energy for yourself will help you deal with these. Perhaps try yoga, meditation, guided relaxation like Nidra, reiki, or even a trip to the hamam can all generate this kind of energy.
The wine for you …
You’ve got a lot to deal with this month so for wine, something easy and uncomplicated. Prodom’s Rosé is just the trick. This blend of Syrah, Merlot, and Kalecik Karası has red fruits, tropical fruits, and a vibrant acidity that will both lift your mood and pair well with a lot of food!
Find it at Comedus, Grape Wine Boutique, Mensis Mahzen, Macro Center, and Rind.
Capricorn (December 23 – January 19)
What exists in your life that has run its course? A friendship, relationship, job, lifestyle…? Take this month as a sign to move on — even you struggle with letting go. Soon enough you’ll have a schedule overflowing with drama and sudden changes. Dealing with all of this will make you only too happy that you let go of what was weighing you down. 
The wine for you …
The Sultaniye grape knows about shedding the negative in its life. In the grape’s case, an underserved bad reputation. To help give you a little push this month to shed your own difficulties, try the Heraki Delta V Sultaniye. Fruity with butter biscuit, smoke, and tingling acidity, it’s a wine that will energize you to move forward.
Grape Wine Boutique, La Cave, Casa Botti, Grand Cru, Kibbe, Mensis Mahzen, Santé Wine & More.
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”