Indigenous Wine Grapes of Turkey

Wine-making in Anatolia dates back 6000 years. Today, Turkey is a world leader in grape production. But the bad news ( for wine lovers of course ) is that only 5 percent of the production is used for wine making. The rest, we consume dried and fresh — I love fresh red grapes. Not surprisingly, there are a number of indigenous wine grapes of Turkey which should be on your check list if you are a wine lover. In a restaurant, try to order your wine by understanding what kind of grapes and flavour it has.

Turkish White Wine Grapes

Emir

• Grown in Central Anatolia
• Refreshing and easy to drink
• Suitable for producing dry, primeur and sparkling wines
• Wines of this kind are greenish-yellow

Narince

• Grown in the Tokat region for its sandy soil
• Often consumed as table grape
• Narince is good for dry white wine with a balanced structure
• Wines of this kind are greenish-yellow when young and have  a fruity aroma

Sultaniye

• Globally known as Sultana
• Seedless grape grown in the Aegean region
• Sultaniye wines are light with fruit aromas
• Not suitable for aging, should be consumed within a year of bottling

Misket

• Grown around Izmir
• Most aromatic of the white grape varieties
• Both dry and sweet wines from Misket should be tasted

Turkish Red Wine Grapes

Bogazkere (Boğazkere)

• Grown in Southeast Anatolia
• One of the best native grapes in Turkey
• Has high tannin
• Strong body and the potential to age
• Boğazkere is traditionally blended with Öküzgözü grape

Okuzgozu (Öküzgözü)

• Grown in Elazig
• The wines from Öküzgözü carries floral and fruity aromas
• Medium body and soft texture

Kalecik Karasi (Kalecik Karası)

• Grown in Ankara region
• Kalecik Karası produces medium-bodied wines with red fruit aromas
• Suitable for aging (preferably 5 years)

( Photo Source )