We reserved the sixth of the Vineyard Route Tastings, which we prepared by following the Turkish Wine Regions, for the producers of Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia. The fact that this region, where harsh natural and climatic conditions prevail, is far from Istanbul, where we live and operate, makes it difficult for us to establish close relations with the region. Our relations with the producers of the region are limited to their arrival here.
When we look at the map, we see what we mean by harsh natural conditions. Day and night temperature changes up to 25-30 degrees, brought by the continental climate, are another reflection of this difficulty. Winemakers shining like pearls in this whole frame.
Öküzgözü is the grape that makes the most valuable contribution to the world wines of the Eastern Anatolia region. This endemic grape of the Elazig region is processed with a rich variety, both by regional producers and by producers in other parts of the country. Kayra Alpagut Öküzgözü, which we included in our tasting, is a good example of the grape grown in the Alpagut vineyards of the Elazığ region and representing its own geography in its original form.
Kösetevek, another grape of Elazığ, is considered to be a naturally transformed clone of Öküzgözü. Kuzeybağ Wines is a company that grows and processes both Kösetevek and Öküzgözü. For now, only Kuzeybağ produces Monosepaj Kösetevek wine.
Like the Kösetevek grape of Elazığ, Diyarbakır has the Boğazkere grape. Among our endemic grapes, we chose Boğazkere wine from Kayra, for which we feel the most radical flavor difference. Vintage Boğazkere is a strong example of Boğazkere, which is grown and harvested in its native land.
Öküzgözü-Boğazkere is a valuable contribution of our lands to the world wine blends. We got to know this blend, which balances each other and produces delicious products from their synthesis, with the Hazar Valley product of Eski Bağlar, one of the regional producers.
Midin Wines is a valuable producer that a family from Şırnak has brought to our wine world, enabling us to meet with local grapes. Thanks to the white wine made from Bılbızeki grapes stuck in the region under the label name of "Hell Deresi", and the Öküzgözü & Boğazkere wine supplemented with Kıttıl Nafs, Gavdoni, Raşe Gurnik grapes.
Kustan white wine made with the blend of Mazrona and Kirkuş grapes from Shiluh, which has been the first name that comes to mind when it comes to Syriac Wine for many years, was the second white wine we tasted.
The wine made from Barburi grapes by the Antakyalı Antioche brand, which is the border neighbor of this region, was the only example included in the tasting from outside. We have completed our tasting with this wine, which is grown and processed at the westernmost point of the regional tasting, which we started from the eastern border of the Mediterranean.
