Turkey
Turkey burst onto the Sommelier Wine Awards scene around 2013, and has been a reliably good performer ever since. The consistency is particularly impressive, given how hard things are politically for the country’s producers at the moment.
Not unlike Greece, there are plenty of interesting indigenous grape varieties on show here, which our tasters really enjoyed – from perfumed Narinces to winsome Kaleciks and muscular Öküzgözüs. There’s a lot of local stuff to like.
But, unlike Greece, Turkey also has a lot of international grape varieties. And while our tasters generally found the local stuff more interesting, a look at the medals will show you that there’s also some really good winemaking with Cab, Chard, Merlot et al as well.
It would have been nice to see a few more good sub-£10 wines, but Turkey is not an easy place to make wine, so our judges were understanding. And it makes the jaw-droppingly cheap Gold/Critics’ Choice won by the Diren Kalecik even more impressive.
This wine has picked up a Gold Medal five out of the past six years. So if there’s one wine that you ought to look at, it’s probably this one.
From The Tasting Teams
‘There were some really different styles in the whites, with quite a few different regions represented. Overall, the fruit quality was superb – wines with great balance and lovely texture, as well as good value.’ Daniel Eriksen, Anglian Country Inns
‘Turkey is up and coming and this red flight showed the quality of the producers. Three years ago, it was less consistent. [The Nodus Cabernet Franc/Merlot] was absolutely superb and could go up against any other wine from around the world.’ Andre Luis Martins, team leader
‘This was the best flight of the first two days. Surprising quality level, versatile styles and a good price range, making it possible to serve in a pub or in a fine-dining restaurant.’ Riccardo Guzzardo, Hakkasan Mayfair
‘Over half our [red] flight were over £20. That’s the price of a serious wine, and these are not on that level.’ Jade Koch, team leader
‘The Kalecik Karasis overdelivered at both the top and bottom ends.’ Claire Love, Loves Consultancy
‘The entry-level Öküzgözüs were a bit too rustic. But there were some good discoveries in the mid-range, and the top-end was really spot on.’ Matteo Furlan, The Ritz London
‘The Kalecik Karasis were exciting, with good varietal expression. And they weren’t forced. They had this light, lifted element, and a balletic elegance.’ Olivier Marie, team leader
‘I would’ve put these [whites] on the list when I ran a wine bar, because they’re a bit “out there”. I could see a spot for these in gastropubs, and at the top-end too.’ Stephanie Robertson, RA Group
‘I was very pleased with the Öküzgözüs: rustic but very pleasurable, with full-on fruit. They’d suit an awful lot of people.’ Angela Reddin, team leader
‘The best flight we’ve had so far. Very good quality, just expensive. There were a few examples for £9 and £10 that were really good. We need more of that.’ Guillaume Mahaut, ETM Group