Welcome to Havva!

After several months of silence, there appeared a new word on the blog, finally! I apologize for being so mute.

From now, this blog should be more alive thanks to someone who has just joined us. Indeed, the whole team Turasan joins me in wishing Sila Havva Sahin welcome. She will be your privileged interlocutor. If you have technical questions, difficulties to find our wines on the market, comments on a wine that you like or not, feel free to contact her on the following address:

shsahin@turasan.com.tr

By http://turasanwines.blogspot.com/, she will inform you of the release of new wines, new vintages and special tastings that we organize ...

Before the harvest, I told you much about this 2010 vintage. Now that the fermentation is completed and the ageing processes have begun, it is time to sum up the situation.

2010 was very heterogeneous that the different varieties have quite different behaviors across regions as it was even within the same region.

In Cappadocia, Greater White region in Turkey, we had a nice summer even if nights were less fresh than usual.

Our vines of Chardonnay, 8 years old now, were harvested on September 7, yields were low, only 23hL/ha and we feel it on quality. The various lots in barrel are full body. There is relatively little acidity but a beautiful fruit, for the moment on citrus and quince. Ageing on the lees with stirring “batonnage” brings a lot of roundness. So I look forward to the spring time when the wine is expected to express itself…

The Emir was very difficult this year. This grape variety had low acidity and low sugar levels. The rains that began around October 10 did not help us. We worked with grapes that have ripened over 1,350 meters altitude to find a nice balance. The Emir 2010 is less fruity than 2009 but more floral and finest. Maturation on the lees has brought a roundness that is well balanced with the mineral finish.

Call it a day. We will see other regions later...

TURASAN WON 4 MEDALS IN CONCOURS MONDIAL DE BRUXELLES 2010

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, for the very first time in its history, was held in 1994 at the biggest city of Belgium: Bruges… Created on impulse by Louis Havaux, the 1st Concours Mondial de Bruxelles could get 'only' 861 samples (an exploit in itself considering that they were gathered in 2 months). However, the international dimension, with 29 participating countries, the event was set to continue.

Following the joining of the Brussels Spirits Awards in 1999 it has gone beyond the borders in 2006 and made a premiere in Lisbon. After this successful start, Maastricht, Bordeaux, Valencia and Sicilia followed. Consequently, the Concours Mondial quickly reached cruising speed and success grew with each edition. Despite these peregrinations the Concours nevertheless remains faithful to its ‘AO’ and link with Bruxelles, the capital of Europe.

Since its creation in 1994, the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles has set itself up as the “wine world-championship”. Today it has proved its claim with almost 7000 participating products from the four continents representing more than 500 million marketed bottles. This gives us a good knowledge about the nobility of the championship.

Solely made up of professionals, the jury of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles brings together the best international wine experts such as oenologists, sommeliers, journalists, wine writers and international buyers and traders, every year. Their 40 nationalities guarantee the diversity and the unique character of the event.

The Most Controlled Competition

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is the first international competition which controls the award-winning wines after the event, to make sure that legitimacy is followed. As soon as the event is over, the awarded samples are compared with the product available on the market. For that reason, both of them are analyzed by a certified laboratory and tasted by a team of oenologists in order to compare them with each other.

“In case of inconsistency, the organizers reserve the right to prosecute via the relevant authorities.”

During the competition…

The competition is attended by the 250 tasters from 41 nationalities, and almost 7000 wines are tasted in 3 days/ mornings. Everything is considered including the temperature of the tasting room, the impulse of the music etc. 250 places are divided into 46 commissions having 5 or 6 tasters. On the table, there are a white cloth, 3 Spiegelau crystal glasses, and a bottle of plain water, unsalted dry biscuits to neutralize the mouth, a spittoon, a pen and the tasting sheets. The communication, even by the gestures is strictly prohibited to prevent the tasters be influenced by the other tasters.

They do not let the tasting other than mornings, since the taste-buds are too tired in the afternoons. Tasters evaluate each wine at the same time and give a point in between 0 to 100. only 30% of wines are awarded.

The evaluation criteria:

'Grand Gold Medal’	92,5 - 100
'Gold Medal'	87 - 92,4
'Silver Medal'	84 - 86,9

Our Excitement…

When we sent our wines to the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles there was a point we believed:

“We will be awarded in such an objective competition!”

Any person who is in love with wine regarded how we listen to the whispers of the berries at the vineyards, how we coddle to our grapes & wines, and consequently how the berries thank us in a passionate way by dedicating itself to the beautiful wines. It was the best wine experts’ turn to embrace our precious children: Turasan Wines…

Despite being sure, doubtlessly we have been excited with the news from the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles like a mother proud of her admired child. The next is, to share this honorable news with the wine lovers who are ready -waiting for invite and already honored to share this.

Wine	Award		Country		Region	Company
Seneler Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Syrah 2008	Gold Medal			Turkey	Aegean		TURASAN Bagcilik ve Sarapçilik +90 3843 414 961
Seneler Narince 2008	Silver Medal			Turkey	Central Anatolia		TURASAN Bagcilik ve Sarapçilik +90 3843 414 961
Seneler Öküzgözü 2008	Silver Medal			Turkey	Anatolia Orientale		TURASAN Bagcilik ve Sarapçilik +90 3843 414 961
Turasan Rosé - Cappadocian Wine 2009	Gold Medal			Turkey	Central Anatolia		TURASAN Bagcilik ve Sarapçilik +90 3843 414 961

Thank YOU to choose-love-encourage us to produce the better,

For the BEST,

CHEERS!

End of véraison and 2010 vintage

In Zeynep vineyards (Ürgüp) our Cabernet-sauvignon finished its véraison. It ran quickly and uniformly which is a good sign and this year it is pretty rare in Turkey.

Indeed, many vineyards have been hit by hail. I haven’t seen any totally lost harvest, but according to the date on which it hailed, the consequences are more or less serious. On many plots there is a big difference in maturity between the clusters. The vine has flowered twice which means that on the same vine, some clusters will be ready to be harvested while others would need another 15 days of maturation ... If this problem hasn’t been detected and resolved early, the impact on wine quality will be very important.

I heard that most of the Turkish wineries have already begun harvesting. This is not our case but it will not delay. Grapes ripen very quickly.

Weather is warm and dry. On good terroirs as Cappadocia and Güney nights are cool. The day/night temperature differences (15°C at least) that we have are very good for maturation, synthesis of flavors and anthocyanin (color).

The red grapes I've tasted so far are not yet ready to be harvested but the juices are already well-colored and fruity.

To be continued soon...

Emir 2009 & Misket Dömisek 2009

In 2009, Emir was harvested late, on October 15th! Indeed, summer 2009 has been mixed regarding weather: long days of rain alternating with some good weather. Late September-early October, we had a nice weather with not too high temperatures. Thanks to it the Emir vineyards benefited from a long period of maturation.

Its pale gold color is stronger than classical Emir wines which generally have a very light color.

The nose is rich with notes of quince, white peach, mango, pineapple, banana, vanilla and minerality.

In mouth, the attack is fresh with notes of pear, peach, quince and jasmine.

A short maturation on lees brings to this wine a nice balance with roundness and acidity.

Emir 2009 is perfect for aperitif, fishes, all plates of sea food and some cream cheeses.

    

The most significant fact with this Misket, or Bornova’s Muscat is its color. This wine is almost transparent.

Its nose is explosive with notes of mimosa, acacia honey, white peach and apricot.

On the palate, it has aromas of honey, apricot jam and peach syrup. In this semi-dry wine, sugar is well integrated. It's balanced in the final by a good acidity.

This wine is very aromatic and well balanced. It is perfect for an aperitif and get well with a fruit or chocolate dessert.

These two wines are now available at our sail points in Turkey : Ürgüp, Istanbul, Antalya, Ankara and we deliver everywhere in the country. More information on our website: http://www.turasan.com.tr/

Seneler Cabernet-Sauvignon/Merlot/Syrah 2008

Gold medal in the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2010

The Seneler Cabernet-Sauvignon/Merlot/Syrah 2008 you’ve been waiting for so long is now available!

It's a blend of the finest red grape varieties. In the 2008 vintage, there is 45% Merlot from the region of Denizli (Güney). It brings body, roundness and notes of black fruits (blackcurrant and blackberry) to this wine. The Cabernet Sauvignon , also coming from Güney, represents 30% of the blend. It gives to the wine a great aromatic delicacy (notes of ginger, wild strawberry and gingerbread) and a nice tannic structure.

The 25% left are Syrah; 2/3 of it come from Cappadocia and 1/3 from Güney. Even if it is a small part in the blend, Syrah is truly present in the nose with lovely notes of violets and white pepper.

This great red wine was aged 12 months in barrel and 11 months in our cellar. You can either taste it now or wait for a decade.

It will accompany all your red meat, game and dishes prepared with a mushroom sauce ...

A new Turasan wine !

You already know our varietal wines Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in our Kav Serie. A Syrah is now available.

This wine, elaborated with grapes from Güney vineyards (Denizli), was vinified in tank with a cold maceration and a total maceration of 25 days. Everything has been done to preserve a lot of fruit in this wine.

Our 2008 Syrah has a dark color with hints of purple. A nose of black fruit, cherry juice, plum, blackcurrant, licorice and pepper.

The mouth, slightly oaked, is largely dominated by the fruit, cherry and blackcurrant.

This wine is an excellent accompaniment for all white and red meat (not too spicy). In this season, I recommend to drink it slightly cool (15-16 ° C) with grilled meat, a delight!

Seneler Öküzgözü 2008

Silver Medal in Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2010

What can I say about this wine?... I love it, it has got everything! Öküzgözü is certainly my favorite Turkish red grape variety. It gives incredibly fruity wines with fine tannins and a beautiful body. When, in addition, the grapes come from this small parcel of Elazig located on a beautiful “terroir”, I have all that I could wish for.

The Seneler Öküzgözü 2008 is an exclusive “cuvée”. The grapes come from a single vineyard in Elazığ. In fact, two small parcels next to each other rather different and very complementary.

It was fermented in tank and aged in French oak barrels for 12 months with a low percentage of new oak to preserve all the grape variety typicality.

Nice deep red hue, almost black.

The nose, of great aromatic richness, is expressed by typical black fruits of Öküzgözü: black cherry, plum and raisin. There are also more developed notes of cinnamon, coffee and black olive.

The palate is rich and concentrated with blackberry and cherry flavors.

A few touches of spicy and discrete oak (coffee, vanilla) bring complexity and smoothness to this wine with plenty of expression.

This wine is an excellent accompaniment for red meat, a beef tartar, a truffle cake…