What associations arise when they talk about Turkey? The sun, the azure sea, sandy beaches, rest in all-inclusive hotels. Few people think that excellent wine is also produced in Turkey. The country exports its products abroad. However, in Russia, Turkish wine is almost unknown to the consumer. What drinks should you pay attention to? Quality, prices, which brands are the most popular? More on this later in the article.
Winemaking in Turkey
Oddly enough, but this country is considered the cradle of winemaking. Archaeological finds suggest that as early as the fifth century BC, this industry was at a high level in this area. Climatic conditions are the best suited for growing grapes. In terms of cultivated varieties, this country is in the top five in the world.
The best Turkish wines are not inferior in quality and price to the drinks of famous producers of Italy and France. But at the same time, only a small part of the fruit goes to processing for the production of drinks.
In retail stores in Turkey itself, they are also not cheap. This is all due to the high excise tax. This is because the country is Muslim, and the government does not particularly encourage wine producers. In addition, the local population is not a fan of domestic wine. Here they prefer beer or local vodka - crayfish.
Most of the vineyards are located on the coast of the Aegean and Sea of ​​Marmara. Next is the country of beautiful horses, Cappadocia. It produces wine brands that have gained recognition in world markets. And on the Mediterranean coast, in the southeast of Turkey, vineyard plantations are concentrated.
The best wineries of the country
Further. The quality of Turkish wine does not give rise to doubt. Of course, only large manufacturers in this state can afford the latest equipment. Many wineries of the country to this day use the "ancient" equipment. However, these drinks are worth a try.
Which Turkish wine deserves the most attention? It is worth paying attention to the products of the "giants" of this country. Consider five winners, whose wines will not leave fans indifferent.
The first place is occupied by the Doluja winery. In the harsh climatic conditions of Cappadocia - it is a harsh winter and dry hot summer - excellent varieties of white and red grapes are grown. Wines Villa Doluja, Doluja Antik, Doluja Ozel Cav.
The second place is shared by the wineries Sarafin, Kavaklydere, Tursan. Turkish wine from the cellars of Sarafin, Sherdon and Cabernet is worth a try. The products of Kavaklidere that have earned world awards are pink sparkling wine Pembe Kopyuk. Tursan's Merlot and Sauvignon are also popular. For those who are interested in wine tours - Tursan winery (open production). It’s easy to go there for escurisia or tasting.
The third place in terms of polarity is the production of wineries Melen and Sevilen Group. The company Sevilen Group produces premium class drinks. Its products are wines Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot. In a word, the choice is great.
Turkish wines worth a try
The next moment. The names of local wines can be said to be difficult to pronounce for those who are not familiar with the Turkish language.
Most Popular:
- Narince - a wine with a pleasant citrus flavor. It is used for the production of Turkish sparkling.
- Emir. To create a drink, grapes come from Cappadocia. It has a rich apple flavor, which is also intertwined with citrus notes. This wine, as well as narje, is used for the production of sparkling wine.
- Okuzgozu - red wine with a cherry flavor. It is made from red dark grapes "bull's eye". Also called the drink itself. Okuzgozu has a deep red color.
- Bogazkere - red wine with a tart taste, intense aroma of fruits and spices. The name translates as "steel throat." The drink from this grape has a dark red color with a hint of blue.
- Kalecik Karasi - red wines with an unusual taste. A drink from this variety has a high acidity. The aroma of wine contains fruity notes of strawberries, raspberries, cherries. This drink has won many international awards.
Fruit wines
This is a special section of Turkish winemaking. Large selection of fruit and berry wines.
Someone may say that these products are not for everybody. Someone thinks that such drinks cannot be called wine, they say fruit liqueur. This is actually a fragrant, sweet wine. It was to the taste of tourists. An interesting fact, in duty-free at the airport it is impossible to buy Turkish fruit wine Kutman (pomegranate). Because they do not sell it there. At the same time, they do not deliver abroad. And not even in every store selling alcohol, this wine can be found. But he who seeks will always find.
Wines brand "Kutman" produced not only pomegranate. There are also drinks from other fruits. Cherry, blackberry, strawberry, mulberry - a real expanse for gourmets. These are light dessert wines, in which alcohol is almost not felt. But the most popular of this series, of course, is Turkish Nar Şarabı. It is not very sweet, a little tart. In small quantities, very useful. The cost of a bottle of such nectar is about 4-5 dollars, a very reasonable price.
Turkish wine in Russia
Note. Unfortunately, this country does not export beverages to Russia. Finding Turkish wine in Moscow is almost impossible. And what is found may be of dubious quality. Therefore, you will have to buy a bottle or two of your favorite drink at the airport's store - duty-free. Carrying wine in baggage is not prohibited. But not the fact that it will arrive safe and sound. Alcohol purchased at the airport is allowed in the cabin.
Prices
Quality drinks cannot be called cheap. The cost of some famous Turkish wines per bottle reaches two hundred or three hundred lire. Today it is 65-85 dollars. Tips for tourists - do not buy “good” Turkish wine in small markets specializing in the sale of alcohol. In order to purchase for sure and not regret the amount spent, you should go to a large market, such as Migros or Metro. You can buy wine at the factory, after tasting. But there the prices are significantly overpriced. Do not overpay for beautiful packaging. You can purchase the same products at an affordable price.
The average cost of wines of winemakers Doluja and Kavaklidere reaches 60-90 Turkish liras per bottle. In terms of international currency, it is twenty to thirty dollars.
In all-inclusive hotels, foreign tourists are offered exactly Turkish, not imported wines. And sometimes enterprising Turks give out drinks of their own production for Italian or French. Note that such a lie is not in doubt.
Wine Tour to Turkey
In this country there are many ancient historical places that you can visit. And for lovers of the sea and beaches there is expanse. And you can go on a wine tour to Turkey. More than a thousand grape varieties are grown here. Interesting historical places, ancient cave cities and endless vineyards of Cappadocia. You can go to the European part of the country, Thrace. Going west of the country, on the coast of the Aegean or Sea of ​​Marmara, you can combine a trip with a vacation on the sandy beaches.
Tourists are offered a tasting drink (you can try Turkish wine Vera or Kutman), the history of the development of this sphere in this country. It has several centuries. Turks are very patriotic. Therefore, they produce wine not only from famous grape varieties. Most drinks are made from local varieties.
The title of the homeland of winemaking is disputed by several countries. These are Armenia, Georgia, Greece and Turkey. Until now, this question remains open for historians. Ancient excavations in Anatolia can confirm that winemaking originated here. In Turkey, as many grapes grow as no country in the world grows.
Conclusion
Now you know that different types of wine are produced in Turkey . We examined the history of this area. The country's popular drinks were also named. In addition, we indicated the price of wine.