Home » Regions » Turkey » Overview

Turkish Wine

Add a photo
for this region?

 

Despite some 1,250 grape varietals grown in the Middle Eastern country of Turkey, only a scant percentage is now produced as wine. Turkey may be viewed as a relatively progressive Muslim country compared to some of its neighbors, but alcohol consumption is still quite low. Long ago, this was the part of the world that pretty much invented wine. There is evidence of ancient wine-making equipment found in Turkey that is believed to be at least 6000 years old. Wine was banned entirely during the 500 years of the Ottoman Empire, starting in the early 16th century, save for the small percentages of Jews and Christians who were allowed to make wine for religious purposes. When the empire collapsed after World War I, it was the first Turkish president,  Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who founded the first commercial winery, Doluca, in 1925. Since then the industry has built up slowly, with mostly larger companies such as Kavaklidere, Pammukale, Mey Gida (formerly Tekel) and and a few boutique wineries Read more »

4 Top Viogniers for Roast Turkey

Roast turkey is a classic holiday meal, but it really tends to only be part of the whole picture. Unlike many other main courses, there is a set of dishes that we all expect to appear beside our golden roast bird. These dishes, and in particular the st...

Read more »

LoCA Thoughts on Holiday Pairings

After an unseasonably warm streak, the cool weather season has descended on Lodi Wine Country. Daylight hours are a little shorter, nights a bit cooler. Outside, Lodi Alicante Bouschet vineyards are up in crimson flames while the brittle gold and orang...

Read more »

3rd Annual Whole Foods Market Wine Sale

Some things get better with age. Come join us for Whole Foods Market’s third annual wine sale from November 22 - 25! Throughout Thanksgiving weekend, save 20 percent when you buy 12 or more bottles at Whole Foods Market!

Read more »

Youngberg Hill's Breathtaking Beauty

One of my favorite things about the Wine Bloggers Conference is that attendees have the opportunity to visit nearby wine country. This year's Wine Bloggers Conference was held in Portland, Ore., and being a finalist and winner of the Best New Wine Blog...

Read more »

Rioja Reserva

With the holidays fast approaching, this is the time of the year when most of us begin to look for wines that are a cut above our average, wines that deliver something special yet hopefully do not break the bank while doing so. There are many possible ...

Read more »
View more Articles »

Sevilen Syrah & Merlot (2007)

Winery: Sevilen Vineyard
Region: Turkey » Western Anatolia » Güney
Varietal: Syrah , Merlot
Type: Table Wines
View wine »

Nicki Gig

Dark berry fruit aromas with a little leather and dark chocolate Full bodied a bit of spivey dark chocolate black berries blue berries nice acidity coarsing through.

View more Reviews »

Kavaklidere Kirmizi Selection Red
Winery: Kavaklidere
Region: Turkey
Type: Table Wines

View wine »

Toasted Walnut and Pesto Pasta

Prep: 20 min., Cook: 23 min., Cool: 5 min. Read more »

Wild Turkey
Winery: Wild Turkey
Region: Turkey

View wine »

Shrimp Boil

Read more »

Wild Turkey Russells Reserve Proof
Winery: Wild Turkey
Region: Turkey

View wine »

Curried Calamari Ceviche with Mango and Avocado

Light and full of flavor, ceviche is a great use for calamari and couldn’t be simpler to toss together. Grapefruit and lime juice work here as the citrusy base, and mango adds a tropical twist. Sin... Read more »

Wild Turkey Rare Breed 1082 Proof
Winery: Wild Turkey
Region: Turkey

View wine »

Basil-Parsley Pesto

When basil and parsley appear in the markets along with spring and summer vegetables, it’s time to make pesto. A touch of parsley, black pepper, and garlic add subtle heat to this pesto recipe. Thi... Read more »

Wild Turkey Proof
Winery: Wild Turkey
Region: Turkey

View wine »

Barley with Winter Greens Pesto

Pesto goes way beyond pasta in this healthy dish of barley coated in a vegan pesto sauce. This recipe was featured as part of our Supercharge with Superfoods photo gallery. Chewy grains coated... Read more »

Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve Bourbon Kentucky
Winery: Wild Turkey
Region: Turkey

View wine »

Lemon Basil Shrimp Pasta

Read more »

Wild Turkey 101 Proof Kentucky Bourbon
Winery: Wild Turkey
Region: Turkey
Type: Spirits

View wine »

Shrimp Cocktail with Rach's Quick Remoulade

Read more »

Wild Turkey Bourbon Russell's Reserve
Winery: Wild Turkey
Region: Turkey
Type: Spirits

View wine »

Calamari with Tomato Sauce

Read more »

Turkey Flat Rosé
Winery: Turkey Flat Vineyards Pty Ltd
Region: Turkey
Type: Table Wines

View wine »

Couscous Chicken Salad

The couscous cooks in a little less liquid than normal, and the broth simmers instead of boils. That allows the couscous to absorb the seasonings while it chills overnight and maintain a fluffy tex... Read more »

Turkey Flat Rosé
Winery: Turkey Flat Vineyards Pty Ltd
Region: Turkey
Type: Table Wines

View wine »

Parmesan Chicken and Rice Casserole

Parmesan cheese adds a nutty, salty flavor. Garnish the dish with a thyme sprig, if you like. Read more »

View more Recipes »
View more Top Lists »

Mentor for Turkish Wines

Christy Canterbury MW

Master of Wine+Winner of the Villa Maria Award for Outstanding Viticulture Examination. Wine judge+public speaker. Journalist for Snooth+Food Arts+Sommelier Journal+Beverage Media+others. Educator at SideTour+Astor Center. Incorrigible traveler!

View Profile » View Top Lists »

View More

Popular wines made in Turkey under $20

Find local availability for these wines:Submit
Buy Turkish wines »

Varietals Produced in Turkey View all

  • Cabernet Sauvignon

    “King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Caber...

  • Syrah

    The irony here is that Syrah’s origins could give Carmen Sandiego a run for her international wallet. Syrah’s deepest...

  • Grenache

    You’re a member of the ‘Rhône Ranger’ band. Your groupies think you’re ‘hot’, even when you're boozy and "strung out"...

  • Chardonnay

    British wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson, once noted that throughout the 80’s and 90’s in the United States, C...

  • Mourvèdre

    History of the grape: Monastrell is a native of Spain, first grown in Murviedro near Valencia, and was eventually bro...

  • Pedro Ximénez

    Ximénez, Jimenez, Ximénès, Pedro, Pedro Giménez, Pedro Jimenez, Pedro Khimenes, Pedro Ximénès, Pedro Ximenes De Jerez...

Subregions of Turkey

Popular Wineries in Turkey View all

  • Doluca

    For three generations, DOLUCA has been a part of the Turkish winemaking industry, reflecting its ...

  • Melen

    Şölenlerin, kutsamaların, tanrıların içkisi şarabın kıymetini anlatan hikayelerin sayısı azımsanm...

  • Wild Turkey

    Originally established in 1855 as the Old Moore Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Wild Turkey is one of...

  • Sarafin

    Winemaking history began in the geographical area where Turkey stands today. The oldest remains r...

  • Kavaklidere

    Kavaklıdere Winery, the first private sector wine producer in Turkey, is founded by Cenap And in ...

  • Idol Sarap

    Idol Winery, established in 2004 with a 100 hectar vineyard of its own, located in Izmir / Turkey...

People getting updates on Turkish Wines

Page 5 of 9

Turkey on Snooth

  • Sarafin Chardonnay Blanc 2003

    January 2010

    Sarafin Chardonnay Blanc 2003

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by brklbyrk


  • Sarafin Sauvignon Blanc NV

    January 2010

    Sarafin Sauvignon Blanc NV

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by brklbyrk


  • Sarafin Fumé Blanc NV

    January 2010

    Sarafin Fumé Blanc NV

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by brklbyrk


  • Sarafin Cabernet Sauvignon Rouge 2001

    January 2010

    Sarafin Cabernet Sauvignon Rouge 2001

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by brklbyrk


  • Kavaklidere Red Blend Öküzgözü 2003

    January 2010

    Kavaklidere Red Blend Öküzgözü 2003

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by Magnum184


  • Kopuklu 2006

    January 2010

    Kopuklu 2006

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by nyc853


  • Sarafin Cabernet Sauvignon Rouge 2001

    January 2010

    Sarafin Cabernet Sauvignon Rouge 2001

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by makyol


  • December 2009

    What happened with the harvest in CA this fall? I kept noticing that it wasn't ... it was exactly 80 degrees on Turkey Day. I'm guessing this reflects at least somewhat the climate in Napa and so forth. I don't know anything about the ideal weather for different grapes, but I know that this is pretty atypical even for sunny CA. I searched f... Read More

    Forum post in the topic Question about 2009 Harvest


  • November 2009

    I know there is a lot of hype about Beaujolais Nouveau, but I just tried the ... Beaujolais Nouveau with your turkey dinner? We talk about Beaujolais Nouveau on this week's East Coast Wine Geek's Podcast (and have quite a good time in the process!). You can listen at http://www.eastcoastwinegeeks.com or download it from iTunes (East Coast Wine... Read More

    Forum post in the topic Beaujolais Nouveau


  • November 2009

    What Wines Do I Drink on Thanksgiving and with Ten Top Texas Favorites?I always ... we often serve three meats (turkey, ham and beef brisket) along with sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and a host of desserts. Since I spend a lot of time in the supermarket buying my turkey and all the fixins, I want to make sure that my Texas wine selections are... Read More

    Forum post in the topic What Wines Do I Drink on...


prev 1 ...  3 4 5 6 7  ...  9 next




View larger map



Best Wine Deals

See More Deals »

Community Activity


Recent Forum PostsView all


Turkish wine ratings and reviews