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Your November 2023 Turkish Wine Horoscope

 

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We leave behind the tricks and treats of Halloween and October for a new month. Hopefully one that is actually autumn-like. Every new month is a fresh start for us. A time to reevaluate, start something new, or just start anew. 

So what will I be drinking this month? I have several things planned! But more importantly, what will YOU be drinking? Read on to find out what the Universe recommends. 

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)

This month you’ll hear a siren’s song calling you to exploration. It could mean travel is in the cards for you, or perhaps expanding our current world through learning something new. This spirit of exploration will open pathways to new beginnings and long overdue changes in your life.

The wine for you …

New beginnings are what Akberg winery does. For a winery that started making infamously bad “fruit wine”, it’s turned itself around in just a handful of years to make fresh and interesting wines. Your wine this month is the Akberg Büyük Bağ Erçis Karası. A juicy, fruity red wine, Erçis Karası is easy and enjoyable to drink. And, if you’re celebrating American Thanksgiving, would be a great pairing for your turkey!

Find it for sure at Solera and Grand Cru, maybe Grape Wine Spirit Boutique.

 Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

Dedicate this month to getting your life back on a healthy track. Be kind to yourself while you go through this process. Reviving your sense of discipline and self-denial … even acknowledging that your life is unhealthy, can be a deeply emotional process. As you become healthier, you will see new paths unfold before you and feel your curiosity and desire for new knowledge and experiences awaken.

The wine for you …

Hopefully limiting your wine intake is not one of the things you need to discipline! It would be a shame to miss the Gordias Sauvignon Blanc. This is pure Sauvignon Blanc with citrus, tropical, and grassy notes. Sipping this, you’ll forget that we’re in full-on autumn and be transported back to summer!

Unfortunately this one’s not exactly easy to find. Look for it at Solera, possibly Dekante, Vinus, Mensis could be talked into ordering it, or, make an order directly with the winery!

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

With grey and rainy autumn upon us, it’s easy to feel down and a little depressed. Especially after that last burst of summery weather in October. When those feelings hit you,  let the fabric of relationships weave much-needed love into your life. There are people out there who have your back, physically and emotionally. Let them support you and find comfort in them.

The wine for you …

The wine for your this November will add some much needed brightness to your month! Asmadan Karasakız is a nicely made, elegant wine. It’s bright garnet color and earthy-fruity aromas are enjoyable for sipping or for pairing (would be great for Thanksgiving!). Look for a review next week!

You can order direct of course but likely places to find it include Mensis Mahzen, Grand Cru, and Grape Wine Spirit Boutique.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Taurus, November offers you the collaboration opportunities to create something beautiful with like-minded people. This doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking or something complicated and long-term. Think about some fun activities or projects like co-hosting a dinner, creating autumn or holiday-themed decorations (maybe even sell them and make a little side money!), put together a weekend getaway for a group, start a book club…the possibilities are endless!

The wine for you …

Arda Gala Roze embodies the spirit of collaboration! Because it’s a blend! … okay so maybe I’m reaching for that one but I tried. 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 Carrefour, Savory Tekel, Mensis Mahzen, Rind, Casa Botti, I think Grape Wine Spirit Boutique, likely Santé Wine & More…

Gemini (May 20 – June 20)

This November Geminis, draw energy and inspiration from your friends and family. Let their passion and creativity fire your own and use that to invigorate your work life and/or whatever projects you have going on. We all need an energy refill from time to time, and being around people who are excited about/love what they do is a great way to get that boost.

The wine for you …

To help spark that creativity, try Chamlija PaPiKa this month. This Papazkarası-championing winery always looks for new ways to present the grape and the PaPiKa blend they presented a few years ago was their newest iteration. The blend includes Papazkarası, Pinot Noir, and Kalecik Karası (ergo the name). 

Look for it at places like Mensis Mahzen, Dekante, Casa Botti, maaaaaybe La Cave might still have a few bottles of something Chamlija, Grape Wine Spirit Boutique, Santé Wine & More, Rind…

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

Balance, dear Cancer, is the key—between the thrill of ambition and the peace of sanctuary. This month will be something of a tightrope walk for you to get through, but you’ll come out with an important life skill. Excitement, eagerness, energy…those are three really great words. But if you live every moment with those driving you, you’ll end up with a very different ‘e’ word: exhaustion. You need to learn to reign in all that energy and take some downtime to be quiet.

The wine for you …

The folks behind Eskibağlar Öküzgözü know all about directing their energy well. While most wineries are running around making wine with popular, international grapes, trying to compare their vineyards to Napa, Tuscany, or Bordeaux, Eskibağlar does not. The winery and vineyards are in Elazığ, the land of Öküzgözü. So they don’t try to imitate other wine regions. They make Elazığ wine and are proud of it. 

Find it at Mensis Mahzen, Rind, Savoy Tekel, Mahzen 26, possibly also Casa Botti, Grape Wine Spirits Boutique.

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

Leos, take this month to appreciate simple pleasures. You don’t have to travel far and wide to discover new, and enjoyable things. Stick to your mahalle and seek out pleasant surprises and new to you places. Along the same lines, start a project or two at home to both add a feeling of freshness or cozy comfort to the rooms you see every day.

The wine for you …

This month try 7Bilgeler Vindemia Defne Emir.

Bilge Yamen started his winery with wines made entirely from international grapes. Slowly slowly, he he turned his attention to wines made from native grapes. Not exactly from his specific mahalle…but he draws grapes from various parts of the country, like the Defne Emir from Cappadocia.

Find this at Dekante, Mahzen 26, Mensis Mahzen, Rind, and Santé Wine & More.

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

November is going to be a good month for you, Virgos! You’ll find that life offers you a bit of flexibility and will give you the chance to treat yourself. Have a nap now and again, get a massage, go to a hamam, buy yourself something pretty! 

Enjoy these moments before the craziness of the Christmas and New Year holidays are upon us.

The wine for you …

This month, relax with an easy and delightful wine, Sevilen İsa Bey Rosé. A 100% Kalecik Karası wine, this charming rosé will transport you to a happy headspace and get your ‘treat yourself’ month off to a great start!

Sevilen’s İsa Bey line is happily pretty accessible. Find it at places like Carrefour, Macro Center (probably also Migros), Mensis Mahzen, Gözde Tekel (a lot of larger tekels should carry this), etc. 

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

Throughout the month, expect revelations that challenge your perception of the world and of what you believe to be truth. When these moments arise, don’t let your instinct to cling to your beliefs no matter what override the opportunity to learn. Be strong enough to admit where you got things wrong and demonstrate your willingness to learn from others.

 The wine for you …

Speaking of strength…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. Mersin-based winery Selefkia has a Patkara vineyard with vines aged an average of 60 to 80 years old. Old by anyone’s definition! So, in case it wasn’t obvious, your wine is the Selefkia Old Vine Patkara!

This is definitely available at La Cave, maybe also at Solera, Casa Botti, and Mensis Mahzen as they all carry a number of Selefkia wines.

Scorpio (October 23 – November 22)

Take November as the opportunity for a journey, Scorpios. Not one that requires your passport, but an inward journey. This month you will work on your body, mind, and spirit and reevaluate your wellbeing. Create opportunities to have “hermit time” and reflect upon what it is you want and need out of life. These exercises will create new paths and help you decide down which your future lies.

The wine for you …

Old is new again at Mesashuna winery in Artvin. This month, try the Mesashuna Saperavi from the Arifağaoğlu family who is using old methods to make new, fresh wines. Much like you’ll spend time reflecting in your hermit cave this month, these wines rest hidden in buried qvevri until ready to show the world what they can do. 

Look for this at Casa Botti, Grand Cru, and Santé Wine & More or order direct. You can also try it at a number of restaurants including Basta, Avlu at Four Seasons Sultanahmet, Teruar Urla, Beyoglu Saraphanesi, Aida, Mikla, and more.

Sagittarius (November 23 – December 22)

Don’t let your eyes be bigger than your stomach this month – as far as your ambitions go. If you let overly ambitious aspirations lead you to chase every adventure without a clear direction, you’ll be running forever. Set clear intentions, and avoid overestimating what you can accomplish. Embrace the journey but remember that it’s better to lower your expectations than to let wild ambitions lead to failure.

 The wine for you …

I think Chamlija invented the word ‘ambition’. The winery certainly invented a few other a-words…but none of that stops the wine from being pretty great. Your wine for this month is the Chamlija Kara Sevda. The winery puts a special emphasis on the Papazkarası grape and this wine, in my opinion, is the best of them. They must like it a lot too to give it such a name!

Look for this at places like Comedus, Mensis Mahzen, Casa Botti, Dekante, Savoy Tekel, I think I’ve seen it at Macro Center, Santé Wine & More and Grape Wine Spirits Boutique seem bound to have it…it’s not a hard get in any case.

Capricorn (December 23 – January 19)

Your radiant charm and sophistication draw people to you like a magnet making you an in-demand social get. Be careful that you don’t deplete your battery. Choose to spend some of your time this month alone. Let yourself stay home alone to lounge rather than forcing yourself to go out with friends.

The wine for you …

This month, a wine as charming as you are is what you need! The Arda Solera Bornova Misketi. This semi-sweet wine (which goes great with spicy foods!) is made by Arda winery but with grapes from the vineyards of Süleyman Er, the owner of the Solera wine bar. 

Since the grapes are from his vineyards, you’ll definitely find this at Solera. But I’ve certainly seen it elsewhere like Rind, maybe Mensis, Casa Botti…

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”