Fine Wines From Turkey

27 Apr Fine Wines From Turkey

FINE WINES FROM TURKEY
Guldal “GiGi” Lindberg| www.meritaj.com | info@meritaj.com
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You can purchase our fine Turkish wines listed below by Gulor and Suvla online via our partner Blue Danube Wine Company. Click here to shop.

A Brief Introduction to Turkish Wine Region and Turkish Wine

Few people are aware that Turkey is one of the most ancient wine regions. The discoveries of ancient wine vessels and evidence of winemaking suggest that wine was produced for the first time in Transcaucasia, a region south of the Caucasus Mountains that encompasses what is today Eastern Turkey as well as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Northern Iran. The first evidence of viticulture and wine making in Anatolia (central Turkey) dates back 7,000 years.

Thanks to its large size and benefiting from a wide array of climates, Turkey is home to between 600–1200 indigenous grape varieties. While the coasts have a mild Mediterranean climate, Central Anatolia, where many vineyards are located at altitudes near 1,250 meters (4,000 feet) above sea level, has a continental climate with hot summers and cold snowy winters.

Meritaj is Bringing Fine Turkish Wines to An Eager and Growing Market

Meritaj was established in 2013 by Guldal “GiGi” Lindberg as the importer of fine wines from Turkey to the United States. After meeting Turkish wine producers at an international wine conference, Lindberg, herself a native of Istanbul, saw a unique opportunity to bring Turkey’s world-class wines to a growing US market. An MBA and former banker, Lindberg became a certified sommelier at the International Culinary Center where she trained to establish her import & export company, which is based in Emerald Hills, California. As an ambassador for fine wines from Turkey, Lindberg brings her innate understanding of Turkish culture and cuisine to bear in establishing a niche for the native grape varieties of Turkey and varietally-correct, award-winning expressions of international varieties. The truly fine wines of Turkey, those that demonstrate the quality and immense potential of Turkish producers, are only now making their way to the key markets of the world,” said Lindberg. “By bringing fine Turkish wines to an eager and growing market, Meritaj is proud to be taking part in the renaissance of Turkey’s wine heritage.”

• ȘAYESTE (Indigenous Varieties):
  Okuzgozu 2011 (San Francisco International Wine Competition 2014 Bronze, Master of Wine İstanbul 2011 88 Points, Master of Wine İstanbul 2012 89 Points),
  Okuzgozu – Bogazkere 2011 (IWC 2015 Gold, Best of Class Los Angeles International Wine Competition 2014, Gold Medal Los Angeles International Wine Competition 2014) 
• G SILVER (Indigenous & International Varieties):
  Okuzgozu – Cab Sauv 2012 (IWC 2015 Bronze, San Francisco International Wine Competition 2014 Bronze),
  Okuzgozu – Petit Verdot 2011 (Los Angeles International Wine Competition 2014 Silver) 
• G ROUGE (International Varieties):
  Cabernet Sauvignon – Petit Verdot 2011,
  Sauvignon Blanc 2014 (Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2015 Silver)

• Indigenous:
  Yapincak – White 2013 (Masters of Wine 2013 85 Points),
  Karasakiz – Red 2013 (Commended Medal – Decanter World Wine Awards 2013, Bronze Medal – Balkans International Wine Competition 2013, Masters of Wine 2013 86 Points, Wine Enthusiast 2014 87 Points),
  Karasakiz – Rosé 2013 (Masters of Wine 2013 Second Place, Wine Enthusiast 2014 87 Points) 
• International:
  Syrah – Rosé 2013 (Mondial du Rose 2014 Silver Medal, Bronze Medal – Balkans International Wine Competition 2013),
  Sur 2010 – Merlot, Cab Sauv, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot (Gold Medal – Decanter World Wine Awards 2013, Gold Medal – Concours Mondial du Bruxelles 2013, Winner / Blend Wines – Masters of Wine 2013, Second Place / Bordeaux Blend Category – (90 points) Master Sommeliers’ 2012, Gold Medal – Tugrul Savkay Best Young Wines of Turkey 2013)
  

Here is a sampling of fine Bay Area restaurants and wine purveyors that feature our wines.

• San Francisco: A La Turca, Barcha, Dunya, Lark Bistro & Wine Bar, La Folie, Tuba Authentic Turkish Restaurant, Biondivino Wine Boutique
• South Bay: Godfather’s Burger Lounge – Belmont, Spasso – San Carlos, Roberts Market – Woodside, Sultana – Menlo Park, Draeger’s – Menlo Park & San Mateo, Biondivino Wine Boutique – Palo Alto, Chez TJ – Mountain View, Café Baklava – Mountain View, Alexander’s Steakhouse – Cupertino
• Napa: Tarla, Allegria
• Carmel: Dametra Café