The climate here is really extreme, with a big temperature difference between day and night. The province experiences hot summers but mild winters. The soil is quite a mix between sand, sandstone, volcanic ash and pebbly clay loam with chalk more commonly found around the coastal regions.
The grapes cultivated include Chardonnay, Emir, Kalecik Karası, Malbec, Narince, Öküzgözü, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo in Cappadocia and Boǧazkere, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Kalecik Karası, Malbec, Merlot, Öküzgözü, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz. The region produces just over 12% of the country’s total annual wine output.
I have chosen the family run winery, Kocabaǧ, with 3 of their wines on review. In 1986 the company first started to sell its wines. They now produce around 1.5 million bottles of wine from their 35 hectares of vineyards. Kocabaǧ has been awarded 6 gold and 17 silver medals in international and national wine competitions. The company’s main objective is to provide different styles of wine, to the highest quality, that appeal to an international marketplace. The majority of their exports currently goes to the USA and Canada.
Red – Leo’s
NOSE: Black cherry, chocolate and dry fruits.
PALATE: First you get dark fruit flavours balanced with soft tannins which then evolve into a long finish giving hints of prune, dry apricot and pine.
FOOD PAIRING: Roasted turkey, duck or lamb, spiced dishes and spaghetti with a tomato and meat sauce.
SUMMARY: This interesting wine brings together the local Öküzgözü and Boğazkere grapes with Cabernet Sauvignon to produce a wine that is different. If you want to sample a wine that features Cabernet Sauvignon but delivers flavours you would not expect when this grape variety is used, then you will pay £12 to £15 a bottle.
Red – Öküzgözü
NOSE: Cassis, cherry marmalade, eucalyptus and black pepper.
PALATE: A medium bodied wine with dark fruit flavours and soft tannins ending in a long finish with notes of raspberry, pomegranate, prune, dried apricot and violets.
FOOD PAIRING: Lamb chops, pork belly, chicken madras, hard mature cheeses.
SUMMARY: Made from the Öküzgözü grape delivering flavours reminiscent of Gamay. At £11 to £14 it is worth a try.
Rosé – Avanos Vadisi Blush
NOSE: Red fruits, candy and spices.
PALATE: Flavours of cherry, raspberry, red currant, cacao, white pepper, vanilla with well balanced acidity.
FOOD PAIRING: Chicken or lamb tikka masala, coronation chicken, creamy mushroom pasta
SUMMARY: Made with the Kalecik Karası grape, it delivers a medium bodied wine. Not a style of wine you would associate with Turkey and available in the modest price range of £7 to £10 a bottle.
