A range of wines using well-known European grapes grown in Turkey have just arrived in Britain. Andrew Catchpole visits the grower and finds out how the new grapes enhance the old
Despite the growing popularity of Turkish food in Britain, there has been a marked absence of Turkish wine here. This is poised to change following the recent UK launch of an exciting range of Sarafin wines, bearing crisp, modern labels and made from the big four grape varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The wines are the result of a special project by Turkey’s leading producer Doluca to make a fine quality tier of recognisable, accessible wines from European varieties in Western Turkey. And the results are good, with crisp, fresh, zesty Sauvignon Blanc, riper, sun-warmed Chardonnay, curranty-ripe Cabernet Sauvignon and a soothing, generously fruity Merlot.
Having visited the 100 hectares of vineyards in the Saroz region where the grapes are grown it’s easy to understand these wines. Here, a couple of hours east of the hectic metropolis of İstanbul, the rolling landscape is bathed in warmth and the bright Mediterranean light of the Aegean. It’s perfect territory for ripening grapes and making fruity, full-flavoured, rounded wines with bags of appeal.
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