(The following wine glasses, carafes and more can be purchased from Paşabahçe Stores throughout Turkey, listed in our Yellow Pages.)
Wine is a culture gradually gaining more prestige in Turkey, and seems that
the production and consumption have also increased in Turkey. There are efforts
to establish its place among quality product in the global market. There are
many wine boutiques in big cities. Moreover, some wine lovers have begun to
produce their own wine at home.
The daily Hürriyet newspaper asked the expert jury for the best ten wines in
Turkey. Here are the results:
Doluca Özel Kav (red)
With a deep red color and produced from grapes grown in the Diyarbakır and Elazıg
regions, Özel Kav is delicious with aromas of carnation, vanilla, damson and
blackberry. It is produced with a well-balanced blend of Boğazkere and Öküzgözü
grapes. Harvested in 2000, it was awarded with the gold medal at the Challenge
International du Vin in France in 2001 and with the silver medal at Mode Selection
contest in Belgium the same year. It is a fine accompaniment to meat, kebap,
lasagna, ravioli and tortellini when served at 16-20 degrees. Özel Kav can be
stored for 7-8 years.
Sarafin Merlot
Sarafin Merlot has a deep ruby color and is made from Merlot grapes. Sarafin
Merlot has rich fruit flavors, is light and has a strong body. The 2001 vintage
was produced from 10-year-old Merlot vines of the Saroz region. The 2000 vintage
won the silver medal at Challenge International du Vin in France in 2001 with
its particular fruit character. It best accompanies lamb, veal, kebap and pastry
and is best served at 16-18 degrees. It can be stored for 6-7 years.
Sarafin Cabernet Sauvignon
The color is dark purple-ruby. The wine is aged in small French oak barrels
for 18 months. Besides the flavors peculiar to Sauvignon grapes, it carries
a vanilla flavor gained as the result of its being aged in the barrel. It has
a full body and great intensity and is 14% alcohol, which is the percentage
sought after in a Cabernet Sauvignon of international quality. The 2000 vintage
was produced from 11-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon vines. It is best with spaghetti
and red meat with heavy sauces. Cabernet Sauvignon is served at 16-18 degrees
and can be kept for 10 years.
Kavaklıdere Boğazkere
Kavaklıdere Boğazkere is deep red in color and has an aroma of dried fruit and
fig. It is monocépage (meaning made from a single kind of grape) and has a rich,
strong and sharp flavor. The wine has been aged in oak barrels for 12 months
and the aroma of the oak mixes with that of the grapes. As a result, Boğazkere
contains aromas of fruit, spice and boisé (oak scent). The maturation of the
wine is followed for one year after bottling. It can age for 10 years when necessary
conditions are provided. It goes well with both red and white meat.
Sarafin Chardonnay
It has a deep straw color and a fruit flavor peculiar to Chardonnay. Its strong
body and acrid flavor make it a perfect choice to drink alongside the main course.
The Sarafin Chardonnay '99 won the silver medal at the Vinalies Internationales
competition in France in 2001, the bronze and silver medals at Challenge International
du Vin in France in 2000 and 2001 respectively, the bronze and silver medals
at Chardonnay du Monde in France in 2002 and 2003 respectively and the gold
medal at the Ljubljana Wine Competition in 2004. It is served at 8-10 degrees
with main courses, spaghetti with sauce, and fish. It can be stored for 5-6
years.
Kavaklıdere Kalecik Karası
It is produced from the Kalecik Karası kind of grapes grown in Kalecik near
Ankara. The wine has a rich and well-balanced structure. This prestigious special
wine consists of lasting and effective red fruit aromas. The wine has a ruby
color and a vanilla, cacao and red fruit flavor. Kalecik Karası has won seven
awards since 1995. It goes well with meat, cheese varieties and especially with
Château Brillant.
Kavaklıdere Öküzgözü
The color is bright red and rich. Kavaklıdere Öküzgözü is a dry wine with oak,
fruit and spice aromas. It is aged in oak barrels for 12 months and then the
maturation is followed for one year after bottling. It has cherry, blackberry,
raspberry and dried plum flavors. It was awarded the bronze medal at the International
Wine and Spirit Competition, England and the gold medal at Ecologico Internazionale,
Italy, in 2000. Grills, cheese varieties and poultry are good companions to
Öküzgözü. It is best served at 16-18 degrees.
Kavaklıdere Narince
This monocépage wine is stored in oak barrels for one year and in bottles for
the following year. It is produced from the famous Narince grapes of Tokat.
It is dull yellow and greenish and has aromas of citrus fruits and daisy. It
has a strong, full body and goes well with appetizers, seafood and poultry.
Served at 8-10 degrees.
Sarafin Sauvignon Blanc
The color is yellow and greenish and it has a rich aroma evoking green apple,
green plum and fresh green spices. It is produced from the grapes of the Saros
region. It is a fruity, dry wine. Sarafın Sauvignon Blanc won silver medals
at the Vinalies Internationales competition in France in the years 2000 and
2002. It is best with any kind of seafood, Far Eastern and Indian cuisine. It
should be served at 8-10 degrees and can be stored for 2-3 years.
Doluca Safir
The only dessert wine in the best of Turkish wines list, Safir is produced from
Misket grapes and has the rich aroma of citrus fruits, honey and daisy. The
color is golden yellow and the taste is sweet, smooth and refreshing. Safir's
2000 vintage has been awarded with silver and gold medals at the Vinalies Internationales
competition in 2000 and 2002. It goes best with desserts, cakes, fruits and
ice cream and should be served at 6 degrees. Safir can be stored for 2-3 years.
The wines attracting the attention of the jurors:
Ankara Üniversitesi Porto likör şarabı
Atatürk Orman Çiftliği Boğa Kanı
Doluca Moscado
Doluca Özel Kav Beyaz
Doluca Antik 2000
Gülor Sangiovese 2001
Gülor Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Gülor Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Gülor Sangiovese Montepulciano
Kavaklıdere Muscat
Kavaklıdere Carignan Alicante
Kavaklıdere Cabernet Sauvignon - Carignan
Kavaklıdere Emir Sultaniye (dömisek)
Kavaklıdere Selection 2000
Kavaklıdere Selection 1998
Melen Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Melen Hamburg misketi
Pamukkale Şiraz
Sarafin Cabernet Sauvignon
Sarafin Fume Blanc
Sevilen Merlot 1999
Tekel Buzbağ
