Introduction
When people think about wine, they often think of countries such as, Italy, France, and Spain. However, there are many new players on the block who are starting to produce excellent wines.
Turkey is an unexpected wine producing country that is starting to get more international attention, with its excellent selection of both red and white wines.
Visitors travelling in Turkey are often pleasantly surprised when they get the chance to try many of the different varieties of Turkish wine on offer. .
Key Takeaways
- Winemaking has a long history in Turkey.
- In modern-day Turkey, the wine culture is relatively young compared to other Western European countries.
- Native Turkish grape varieties, such as Çalkarası, are gaining attention for their quality and potential.
- The Aegean and Central Anatolia regions are the most important wine producing regions in Türkiye.
- The Turkish wine industry faces challenges due to a lack of government support and heavy taxes.
- Turkish wines are winning international awards and recognition
- In spite of inflation and high taxes, you can still find good and affordable Turkish wine in Turkey.
Turkey’s Winemaking Heritage
I’m a wine enthusiast, and I love to drink a glass of good wine when I’m on vacation in Turkey. I’m also a history buff, so the story of Turkey’s wine making history had me hooked from the start. It’s a story that takes you back thousands of years. In ancient Anatolia, which is an area that covers most of modern-day Turkey, people started making wine as early as 4000 BC. This makes Anatolia one of the world’s oldest places for making wine.
A Long History
The story of making wine in Turkey is fascinating. It started in the Hittite era, was followed by Persians, Lydians, and also included empires like the Romans, Byzantines, Armenians, and even the Ottomans.
Anatolia has always been the heart of Turkish winemaking. The area around Cappadocia, was historically famous for wine making, thanks to its perfect mix of climate and soil. In the early Christian era, secret underground cities produced wine after harvesting the grapes. You can still visit some of these places, for example, Derinkuyu, if you are on a trip to Cappadocia.
Despite a long history of winemaking, the last century has been tough one, starting a hundred years ago with a terrible grape plague called Phylloxera, then a war of independence, and since then rural poverty, political turmoil, and hyperinflation.
Every Turkish winemaker has had to learn to adapt, or go out of business. Fortunately, wine consumption, both in Turkey and overseas, has increased significantly over the last century, giving hope for the future of the industry. Even today, many of Turkey’s winemakers still use local and traditional Turkish grape varieties that reflect the region’s history and the origins of Turkish culture. Perhaps this is one of the things that makes Turkish wine special.
Turkish Wine Regions
Every wine producing area of the country has its own special climate and soil. This means that they can grow a wide spectrum of grapes, including different types of red and white varieties that make unique wines.How wine matures is another factor. Oak barrels often store the better wines, while cheaper types of wooden barrels store the others. Today, producers use a wide range of red varieties to create red blends. These blends are often lighter and more suitable for people who are just starting to learn about wine.
Aegean Region
Turkey’s western coast is perfect for growing wine. It has a lovely Mediterranean climate and rich soil. The Thrace area is famous for its excellent red, medium-bodied wines. You can also find tasty white wines and rosés here. The Turkish Aegean a dream spot for wine, beach, and history lovers.
Central Anatolia
If you go further inland, you’ll reach Central Anatolia (Cappadocia). This vast area is sunny and warm throughout the year, and it is one of the country’s largest wine production areas. It’s known for its special grapes and wines. The wines here complement the strong flavours of Turkish cuisine. If you visit Cappadocia, you can combine visiting its wonderful landscape with tasting some of the best wines of Turkey.
Eastern Anatolia
The remote eastern part of Turkey is a hilly area that is famous for its unique wines. The Boğazkere grape makes very intense red wines. It’s also good for growing zesty white wines. If you’re into trying something new, this is the place for you. If you love epic train journeys, you could take the Kars Eastern Express train to get there.
Mardin Monastery Wines
Down in the southeast of the country, are the wonderful cities of Mardin and Midyat. These ancient cities are special because of their history of wine production. Local Christian monasteries, which have been making wine there for centuries, still use traditional methods and local grapes. This is another part of the living history of Turkish wines.
These days, if you are lucky enough to go to Mardin, you will find a flourishing wine trade, with many wine shops selling different varieties. Among them, you will also find many types of imported Syrian wine, which are excellent and worth trying.
Indigenous Turkish Grapes
It’s amazing to see the different grapes that grow in Turkey. Here are just some of the most important ones. You will see them written on Turkish wine labels, just below the wine’s name.
Öküzgözü
Öküzgözü is Turkey’s top red grape. It produces full- and medium-bodied red wines. These wines have a mix of dark fruit, spice, and something savoury. People say they’re a bit like Spain’s Rioja reds. I find them to be a little more fruity.
Boğazkere
Boğazkere is Turkey’s bold red, like France’s Tannat. It’s known for being intense and lasting. Boğazkere wines have high acidity and a lot of tannins. Their dark berry, herb, and smoke flavors may not suit everyone, and you might get a headache if you drink too much.
Kalecik Karası
Kalecik Karası is a lighter wine grape from near Ankara. It makes soft wines with tastes of red berries, flowers, and spices, a bit like Pinot Noir. This and other light Turkish reds are known for being easy to drink and excellent with food. I would consider this type of grape to be one of my favourites.
Kuntra and Vasilaki – Less Well-Known Grapes
Turkey also has less known grapes, like Kuntra, which is light, fruity, and has a good acidity level, as well as Vasilaki, from the island of Bozcaada, (near Canakkale), with its own unique taste. These indigenous grapes show how diverse the spectrum of wines in Turkey can be. They make it enjoyable to explore and find new favourites. You can also enjoy these wines while tasting some of the famous cheeses made on Bozcaada Island.
Award-Winning Turkish Wines
Turkey has many different types of climates and soils, so you can find just about any kind of red, white, and even rosé wine. The Turkish wine industry is doing well, in spite of the country´s economic difficulties. In fact, in 2023, several Turkish wineries won international IWSC awards for their outstanding quality.
- Akberg Lethe Ercis Karasi 2021 – Mid Eastern Anatolia
- Chateau Kalpak 2019 – Marmara (Aegean)
- Kayra Vintage Narince 2021 – Central Anatolia
- Kocabag Leo’s 2020 – Central Anatolia
- Vindemia Defne – Central Anatolia
If you want to try a prize-winning wine in Istanbul or Ankara, it should be fairly easy to find these labels. However, if you are in a smaller city and can´t find any of them, don´t worry because, there are many other wineries that also make great wines.
Boutique Wineries
In Turkey, small wineries are becoming more common. To make their wines, they use local grapes and unique land. These wineries are often family-owned and love to show what Turkish wine is really about. They try new mixes and bring back old grape varieties. This makes exploring Turkish wines exciting for all.
An example of these types of wineries is a new wine produced by the 502 winery, In spite of its Spanish name, the excellent wine producing vineyard is located in the Turkish Black Sea region, near the beautiful coastal town of Amasra.
Established Producers
Turkey also has big, respected wineries. Over the years, they have helped grow the wine scene. They have a lot of experience making Turkish wines known throughout the country, such as Villa Doluca and Angora. These Turkish producers make wine that is readily available in larger Turkish supermarkets, such as Migro.
Turkish Wines: Challenges and Opportunities
Only 15% of Turkey’s huge vineyard space grows grapes for wine production. So, the industry has a lot of room for growth. In addition to this, the weak Turkish lira makes it possible to export Turkish wines at very reasonable rates. As Turkish winemakers became more well-known internationally, Turkish wine exports increased significantly.
However, there are many issues that are holding Turkish wine producers back. For example, many companies are still using old winemaking methods and do not have enough modern technology to become profitable. There is a lack of money for investment in machinery, made worse by the high cost of new technology due to inflation, Turkey is now on the list of unexpected wine countries that are becoming popular overseas.
In addition to that, the Turkish government has imposed taxes on all types of alcohol, (as much as 70%), including wine. This significantly increases the cost of wine for the average Turkish consumer. (However, for foreigners, the price of wine in Turkey still compares well with the price of wine in many other countries.
In recent years, there has been a gradual effort to limit the availability of alcohol, such as the introduction of a law that forbids its use in public areas. Additionally, certain regions of the nation have implemented measures to limit the authorization to sell alcohol in shops and restaurants.
Emerging Wine Culture
Since 2000, wine consumption in Turkey has gradually increased, in spite of the country´s economic issues. The wine market really started to open up back in the 1990s, leading to many new wineries opening. Winemakers are also experimenting with new wines, like, sparkling wine, as well as producing wines made with foreign grapes such as Merlot and Sauvignon blanc. Perhaps this is an effort to offer more variations of wine to both local and international consumers.
Sustainability and Turkish Wine
Being green is becoming more important for Turkish winemakers. They want to keep their wine traditions alive in a modern way. They’re trying to use less water, and find grape varieties that are less thirsty. They are cultivating grapes without the use of sulphur and heavy fertilisers, as well as exploring the use of clean energy. Turkey’s wine regions are gradually adopting these measures. Although it is difficult considering the lack of government assistance.
Pairing Turkish Food and Wine
Turkish wines go well with a variety of foods. Strong-bodied reds pair well with dishes like kebabs and slow-cooked stews. The light, aromatic whites pair perfectly with seafood and Mediterranean dishes. Rosés complement mezze plates and grilled foods, although, to be honest, Rosé wines aren’t really my favourite.
Wine Tasting Tours and Wine Tasting Holidays
If you are a wine connoisseur or just someone who wants to learn a bit more about wine from Turkey, then going to vineyards and wineries while visiting the country is a wonderful experience. It will open your taste buds to new flavours and make for a fascinating excursion. There are wineries in several parts of the country that offer tourists the opportunity to sample and learn about their excellent wines. These regions include Cappadocia and the Aegean, as well as Bozcaada Island.
Best 10 Turkish Wine Recommendations
My top 10 Turkish wine picks for the best wines that you can buy inexpensively in large Turkish supermarkets include:
The Best Red Wines
- Doluca Kalecik Karası – a light and fruity red wine made from the Kalecik Karası grape.
- Vinkara Kalecik Karası – another excellent example of the Kalecik Karası grape.
- Pamukkale Öküzgözü – a smooth, easy-drinking Öküzgözü red with a ripe red fruit flavour.
- Kavaklidere Selection Cabernet Sauvignon: a well-structured Cabernet Sauvignon with a fruity flavour.
- Kocabağ Öküzgözü – a full-bodied Öküzgözü with a ripe fruit taste.
Best White Wines
- Kavaklidere Narince – a crisp, aromatic white wine made from the Narince grape.
- Doluca Sultaniye – a light and refreshing blanc wine made from the Sultaniye grape.
- Pamukkale Chardonnay – A well-balanced Chardonnay.
- Vinkara Emir – a unique white wine made from the indigenous Emir grape.
- Kocabağ Sultaniye – a full-bodied Sultaniye with ripe fruity flavours.
Conclusion
Turkish wines have come a long way from their early historical roots. These days, the country produces a wide range of quality and inexpensive wines, some of which have won international awards. If you have the opportunity to visit Turkey, you should definitely try some of its delicious red and white wines, and perhaps even visit one of its fascinating wineries. If you don´t live in Turkey, you might even be able to try some varieties at your local wine shop.