Explore Turkish Wine Regions

Turkey might not be one of the best-known wine-producing countries in the world, but it is for sure one with a long history. Wine-making tradition is said to have started millennia before Christ, but the first commercial wineries of the modern Turkish Republic only opened in the 1920s, encouraged by Turkey’s first president, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Check out the list of the best wineries in Turkey

The climate of Turkey Wine Country

Turkey wine country is one of the largest producers of grapes in the world, and it sells them to other countries that have a less favorable climate. Turkish wine regions are spread throughout different climate zones: most of the wine is produced in regions near the coasts (the Sea of Marmara, the Aegean, and the Mediterranean). Here the climate presents mild winters and warm summers that favor the growth of tasteful and juicy grapes.

Wine Tourism in Turkey

Wine tastings are available in every wine-producing region of Turkey and also in Istanbul, the country’s largest city. Wine is often paired with local specialties that vary depending on the region. To better immerse yourself in the wine tradition of Turkey, take one of the official wine routes that have been established specifically for tourists. The two most popular are the South Izmir Wine Route and the Aegean Wine Route. Visiting Turkish wine regions is both a culinary and a historical journey, as on the roads connecting wineries, you will encounter many incredible archaeological sites.

Discover some of the best wine tasting tours in Turkey

Turkish Wine Regions

The largest wine-producing area of Turkey is the Aegean wine region, near the famous city of Izmir. The second most productive is the Marmara wine region, including Thrace. The latter is followed by the Mid-Eastern Anatolia wine region and the Mid-Southern Anatolia wine region. Altogether, these regions produce most of the grapes of the entire Turkey wine country, but only a small share (around 2%) of Turkey’s grapes is used for wine. For example, in the Anatolia wine region, the Sultaniye grape is produced but is more likely raisined than used for wine production.

Most Popular Wines

One of the most popular wines from the Turkey wine country is Emir. This is a light white wine that pairs perfectly with appetizers and vegetarian plates such as Tzatziki, Babaganoush, or Hummus. The Emir grape is indigenous to the Anatolia wine region. Another popular grape is Kalecik Karasi. Mostly unknown outside of Turkey, Kalecik Karasi makes a soft, fruity, light- to medium-bodied red wine, perfect with hot Mediterranean-style dishes. Some of the finest Turkish wines are made from Okuzgozu, a dark-skinned grape that grows in the Anatolia wine region. Okuzgozu’s acidity and cherry aroma are best tasted with a lamb dish.