Turkey

Question 1

What is Turkey’s rank in the world for grape-growing nations?

Answer 1

Fifth largest

Turkey has more than one million acres under vine, but only a small fraction is used for wine production.

Question 2

What are the primary products harvested from grapes in Turkey?

Answer 2

• Table grapes
• Raisins
• Rakı
• Wine

Rakı is an anise-flavored grape spirit akin to arak.

Question 3

What significant historical evidence supports early viticulture in Turkey?

Answer 3

Archaeological evidence of grape seeds from as early as 9,000 BCE

This suggests that the vine may have been first domesticated in what is today Turkey.

Question 4

Name some ancient occupants of Turkey who grew wine grapes.

Answer 4

• Hittites
• Assyrians
• Thracians
• Lydians
• Greeks
• Romans
• Byzantines

Viticulture continued during the Ottoman period despite occasional prohibitions.

Question 5

What coincided with Ottoman efforts for modernization in the late 19th century?

Answer 5

The European phylloxera epidemic and the construction of a railway

This led to Europe importing Ottoman wines.

Question 6

What was the focus of the Turkish wine industry in the 20th century?

Answer 6

Quantity over quality

This changed in the last decade of the century with the emergence of conscientious small producers.

Question 7

What challenges does the Turkish wine industry face despite being governed secularly?

Answer 7

Political interference by the present administration

Rakı production faces fewer obstacles.

Question 8

What are some international grape varieties favored by Turkish consumers?

Answer 8

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Merlot
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Grenache
• Tempranillo

Turkish consumers tend to favor these varieties despite the domestic market.

Question 9

What is the characteristic of the Öküzgözü grape?

Answer 9

Delivers softly tannic, fruity red wines with elevated acidity

Its name translates to ‘bull’s eye’ due to its large berries.

Question 10

What does the name Boğazkere mean and what is its characteristic?

Answer 10

Means ‘throat puckerer’ for its acidity; demonstrates the greatest aging potential

It is one of Turkey’s indigenous red grapes.

Question 11

What type of wines does the Narince grape yield?

Answer 11

Mid-weight, Chardonnay-like wines with an affinity for oak

It is one of the indigenous white grapes of Turkey.

Question 12

What is a notable feature of Turkey’s winegrowing areas?

Answer 12

Lacks a formal appellation system

However, there are distinct winegrowing areas across the country.

Question 13

What climatic challenges do coastal regions of Turkey face for quality wine production?

Answer 13

Prohibitively warm temperatures due to lack of cooling currents

This has led to planting in higher elevation inland valleys.

Question 14

What is the climate like in the inland regions of Anatolia?

Answer 14

Continental climate with dramatic diurnal shifts and possibility of frosts

This affects the viticulture in these areas.