Your October 2023 Turkish Wine Horoscope
Autumn is officially here – on the calendar anyway. We’ve had such odd weather all spring and summer, here’s to a properly cool and lovely autumn! It’s one of my personal favorite seasons. Wearing cozy sweaters, eating heartier meals, that slight chill in the air…hopefully a reduction in humidity!
In honor of October being #MerlotMe month, what we’re all drinking is a no-brainer: Merlot! Turkish Merlot though of course. No matter how many I try, I have not become a fan myself. I generally find it rather…boring. Dependable, but boring. However, I have selected some of the better examples from Turkey for your monthly wine so, hopefully no one will be bored!
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
October will provide exposure to different cultures, opinions, and beliefs that will challenge you. Remember to keep an open mind during these moments. Even if you’re not open to learning opportunities, the chance to expand your experiences, or even other people’s side of things, remember please that you’re an adult. Regardless of what you think of others’ mores, you should respect that they are valid for that person. 
The wine for you …
Barbare Nötr is one of the various “natural” wines available in Turkey. As much as I can’t roll my eyes hard enough at this whole “natural” movement, Barbare makes solid wines.
Also if you’ve ever wanted a wine that goes well with salty deviled eggs…this is your wine!
Find it at Dekante, La Cave, Mensis Mahzen, Online Mahzen, Iyi Sarap maybe?
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
Before jumping in with offers to help this month, Pisces, make sure that your relationship is even. While friendships aren’t supposed to be about reciprocity, some people are only ‘takers’. You might be a natural ‘giver’ but you should be able to rely on those in your life as much as they do you. If you have some ‘takers’ sucking out your effort and energy with their needs but who disappear when you need support…well a) maybe you should re-think your relationship with them entirely but at the very least b) stop jumping in immediately with your support.
The wine for you …
7Bilgeler has recently (and finally imo) started producing wines with native grapes. However, much of the emphasis, and quality focus, still rests with the French varieties. 7Bilgeler’s Bias Priene Merlot will set you back a little bit so have a think on it before you make the leap but the winery usually delivers so you’re probably safe.
Look at Dekante, Grape Wine Spirits Boutique, İyi Şarap, Mensis Mahzen, and Rind for this one.
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
October wants you to work on becoming a better person, my war-like friend. Look at every interaction you have as the chance to communicate better, listen better, react better…ideally all three but doing at least one of those is a good start! Practice patience and politeness with everyone you encounter, friend and stranger alike. The idea is deepen your ability to be and show more respectfulness to others.
The wine for you …
If you like lovely, elegant, and rich red wines then you will love the Gürbüz Merlot. In fact anything he makes is brilliant (especially his reds). The Merlot has complex layers of coffee, fresh and dried fruits, and spice. A beautiful wine that you can drink now or age for a few years.
Find it at Dekante, İyi Şarap, Mensis Mahzen, and Rind.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Take the lead this month Taurus on being the one to make plans. Be the first one to suggest an activity, or even just reach out and say hi and start a conversation. Relationships need work from both parties, so you cannot always wait to be the one to be asked. Understand that personal sacrifices and compromises must be made to protect the stability of relationships. 
The wine for you …
There’s no going wrong with any wines from Saranta, including the Saranta Chateau Murou Merlot with its silky texture, black fruits, and lingering spicy finish. Saranta also makes a less robust version of Merlot (bottled simply under ‘Saranta’) if that’s more your speed but I think you’ll thank me for suggesting you try the Chateay Murou.
Get it from Casa Botti, İyi Şarap, Mensis Mahzen, Online Mahzen, and elsewhere.
Gemini (May 20 – June 20)
Being one’s own critic is one thing, but even worse are those fears we keep buried deep down. We freeze up when they manage to escape and whisper their poison, creating monsters in our psyche that hinder anything we try to do. Bring out your inner Buffy and slay those monsters in order to let your ability and ambitions flourish. Even after you banish those whispers though, you will realize the benefits of keeping your head down and working hard in silence.
The wine for you …
A lot of us think of Umurbey in terms of Sauvignon Blanc. Which drives the actual Umur bey nuts. He makes a number of red wines including both a Cab-Merlot blend and a Merlot. The Umurbey Merlot is plush and rich and a great reason to buy more than just Sauvignon Blanc!
Available at İyi Şarap, Mensis Mahzen, Online Mahzen, likely also larger grocery chains like Carrefour, Macro Center/Migros.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
You, and only you wield the power to decide where you place your attention. Circumstances and people will try to direct your attention to petty matters or issues over which you have absolutely no control. We all have far too much to deal with on a daily basis to begin with without piling on stress. Choose wisely where you place your attention and avoid bogging down your energy with nonsense.
The wine for you …
Not a winery that comes up a lot, but the Feyzi Kutman Merlot was one of the first of this variety to make me sit up and take notice! Created by Adnan Kutman in memory of his father who started the winery, it’s a well-crafted wine from a winery that we should possibly be drinking more of!
It might not come up a lot but it’s not really that hard to find. Try for it at Carrefour, Macro Center, possibly Mensis Mahzen, etc.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
A tricky month month for you, Leo. On top of last month…
October will be a balancing act for you. On the one hand, you may find yourself thrust into the role of mediator to help people around you resolve conflicts and bring all the drama down a peg or three. On the other hand, try not to let other people’s issues consume you. 
The wine for you …
Made by the talented and lovely Işıl Bulutsuz, the Uçmakdere Firuze Merlot briefly aged in oak to add depth to the bright fruit flavors. Işıl is not a huge fan of oak and her light touch gives the wine just enough complexity without overwhelming the fruit.
Uçmakdere wines aren’t super easy to find. Mensis Mahzen often carries them, Grape Wine and Spirits Boutique, possibly Casa Botti…
Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
You need to continue to mind your financial goals this month, Virgo. You don’t necessarily need to penny pinch, but make purchases with greater awareness of what you need versus what you merely want. Introduce moderation into your life. You will find that benefits not only your bank balance, but your health!
The wine for you …
Gordias Merlot was one of the first Merlot wines in Turkey that captured me and I hope it will you too! Vibrant, juicy, peppery, and with that earthy tang that seems to be Canan’s signature across all her wines. This is a Merlot you don’t want to miss!
Find it at Solera, maybe Grape Wine Boutique, ask Mensis Mahzen to order it for you!
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
Ok, Libras. Strap in because this month you take control of you. During October you’re going to work on building yourself up, calming your insecurities, and stop looking to other people for validation. Yes, it may feel odd and uncomfortable at first, but it’s time for you to assume the role of director of your life.
The wine for you …
Chateau Nuzun made its name with its eponymous blend but also makes a range of varietal wines. Including, obviously, Merlot. All of Chateau Nuzun’s wines are gorgeous and the Merlot is no exception. Bold and rich, this is definitely a wine you’ll want to enjoy with a cozy, autumnal meal.
Look for it at Carrefour, Dekante, Macro Center, Mensis Mahzen, Rind, and elsewhere.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 22)
Try to stay calm this month, Scorpios. Your natural perfectionist personality is going to take a bit of a beating when you cannot control things and make them go exactly perfectly. October has things spiraling around you. Worse than that, your own energy will be in flux, causing both mental and physical upheaval. Take some deep breaths, don’t fight with everything that is happening, ride it out and things will go much more easily for you.
The wine for you …
Likya might not be the first name you think of when Merlot comes to mind (I may have actually forgot that they make Merlot). Nonetheless, it is one of the many grapes in the winery’s stable. Grown high in the cool climate above Elmalı, the Likya Merlot shows a more restrained and elegant profile than the plushy fruit bombs most of us know.
Happily for all of us, Likya wines are pretty widely available so you’ll have decent luck finding this at Dekante, La Cave, Mensis Mahzen, Rind, possibly Macro Center, etc.
Sagittarius (November 23 – December 22)
Think before you speak this month, Sagittarius. You may find that some old resentments you feel towards people come bubbling up and out of your mouth before you can bite back the words. Most likely, the words you can’t take back will not even be towards the person for whom you feel so much resentment, but any handy, nearby person on whom you’re projecting your feelings. Be mindful that you won’t be the one people resent by month’s end.
The wine for you …
Nothing to resent here! Büyülübağ makes two wild ferment wines, a Cabernet and Merlot! Bright red fruit flavors with a streak of minerality from the granite soils on Avşa give this Merlot a different profile than the ones you’re used to.
Trickier to get your hands on this one, but look for it at İyi Şarap, Macro Center, Mensis Mahzen, and Vinus
Capricorn (December 23 – January 19)
Capricorns often pride themselves on their independence and self-reliance. These are fantastic traits. But remember this month, that even you need help sometimes. You don’t need to go through all of life’s grinding issues alone, or hustle to get absolutely everything done on your own. You have a whole crew of people in your life who would be most happy to lend a hand and support you. Don’t let pride get in the way of taking some much needed help. 
The wine for you …
This winery might be a bad illustration to the point since they are successful hustlers! When they first opened, nearby Edirne was largely a raki and beer drinking town. Not that they don’t still drink those, but Arda is proud that about half its production sells locally now. The winery has a heavy emphasis on international grapes and makes two different varietal Merlot wines. This month, try the Arda Kuşlu Merlot. Just a kiss of oak on the wine keeps it fresh and fruity and very food friendly for all your favorite autumn dishes.
Find it at La Cave, Mensis Mahzen, Rind, Solera, and elsewhere.
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”