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 colour 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 colour and is made from Merlot grapes. Sarafin Merlot has rich fruit flavours, 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 colour is dark purple-ruby. The wine is aged in small French oak barrels for 18 months. Besides the flavours peculiar to Sauvignon grapes, it carries a vanilla flavour 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 colour 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 flavour. 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 colour and a fruit flavour peculiar to Chardonnay. Its strong body and acrid flavour 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 colour and a vanilla, cacao and red fruit flavour. 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 flavours. 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 colour 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 colour 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
Domestic News – Resource: Mymerhaba
