Turkey's Chamlija wines are delightful

Spaswinefood tasted some wonderful Turkish wines during our travels in Turkey. One such example is the delightful wines produced by Chamlija, a Thrace winery located in Strandja.  If you have not tried Turkish wines then get ready for a pleasant surprise. Similarly a Business Week article by Elin McCoy,  a New York Times article by Andrew Finkel and the Gray Report, all attendees at the EWBC Digital Communications Conference 2012 in Izmir, Turkey, note the growing enthusiasm for wine making in Turkey. Spaswinefood experienced this same enthusiasm, not only at EWBC, but first hand as we traveled throughout Turkey. My first introduction to Chamlija wines was at welcoming dinners in Istanbul. It was exciting for me to discover Chamlija wines and to meet the winery owner, Mustafa Çamlica and his daughter, Irem. Irem Çamlica does the beautiful artwork for Chamlija's wine labels.

Mimolett Restaurant, Istanbul © Spaswinefood

Welcoming Dinner at Mimolette

During the Istanbul Welcome Dinner at the Mimolette Restaurant wine bloggers were introduced to wines produced by three Turkish wineries. The wines were paired with various dishes prepared by Mimolette's Chef Murat Bozok. One of the featured wineries for the evening included Chamlija. Our dinner menu included wines paired with different courses. That evening Chamlija's Chadonnay Istranca 2011 was paired with a second course. Now a few brief highlights from the dinner.

Welcoming Drink: Vinkara's Yaşasin Kalecik Karasi 2010 © Spaswinefood

Second Course: Salmon (Salmon, Bulgar Salad with Lemon Raki purée)

The second course was a salmon entrée. The salmon entrée was paired with Chamlija's Chadonnay Istranca 2011.

Chamlija's Chadonnay Istranca 2011© Spaswinefood

Beautiful Label: Chamlija's Chadonnay Istranca 2011© Spaswinefood

Dining at Mimolett Restaurant Istanbul was a wonderful introduction to Turkish wines paired with great cuisine.

Welcoming Dinner at Frankie Istanbul

The second evening dinner was at Frankie Istanbul. This dinner also included Chamlija wines. Our menu for the evening included a Chamlija Viognier 2011 paired with a amuse bouche.

Wine bloggers at  Frankie Istanbul © Spaswinefood

Amuse Bouche

The amuse bouche consisted of Chadonnay wine leaves soup with rice dolma and yogurt mousse. The amuse bouche was paired with a Chamlija Viognier 2011.

Chamlija's Viognier 2011© Spaswinefood

Another beautiful label on Chamlija's Viognier 2011© Spaswinefood

Then later during the main course I also sampled a Chamlija Pinot Noir 2011.

Main Course

Duck Breast: crispy 'yufka, pumpkin and ginger mille-feuilles and pear-orange sauce, which was paired with two wines:

1) Chamlija Pinot Noir 2011, from Strandja, Thrace

2) Vinkara Mahzen Kalecik Karasi 2010, from Kalecik, Ankara

 Duck Breast © Spaswinefood

Without doubt our dinner at Frankie Istanbul was an exciting introduction to Turkish wines and cuisine.

Wine bloggers at Frankie Istanbul © Spaswinefood

Wine bloggers at Frankie Istanbul © Spaswinefood

This was Spaswinefood's second introduction to wines produced by Chamlija. Jim Budd has described our visit to Frankie Istanbul. You will also find comments on Chamlija's wines posted on their website.

Chamlija also produces a Narince wine that I very much enjoyed. While in Turkey I tasted not only great wines derived from the popular international grapes but from indigenous Turkish grapes, such as Narince. I am totally convinced that with worldwide exposure Turkish wines will become popular. Both Turkey's rich wine history and the rich diversity of indigenous grape varieties makes Turkish wines a must for wine lovers. 

Chamlija wines are typical of the quality of wines being produced as the result of recent growth in the Turkish wine industry. In fact Chamlija Winery is an excellent example of the growing enthusiasm for wine making in Turkey. Prior to the EWBC conference I was fortunate to visit a number of other Thrace wineries. Check out my travels in Turkey and elsewhere at Spaswinefood. 

Sharon

November 2012

Istanbul, Turkey

©Spaswinefood

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