WINE LOVERS: CHECK IT OUT!
Oenologists beware! Turkey's clarets, whites and rosés are on the move.
Wine making may have had its start in the North Aegean but the passion to imbibe, which for centuries had never taken off among Turks, is benefitting from the hype and prestige created from a variety of indigenous wine producers trying to position their vintage on the global stage. Even closet vintners are bottling their own home-produced vino.
If you're a wine lover, here are some Istanbul winehouses whose products will leave tantalize your tastebuds and give Tuscany and Sonoma caves a run for their money.
Sarabi
Right at the entrance of Çiçek Pasaji on Istiklal Caddesi, this three-story, dark, contemporary salon de dégustation doubles as a jazz bistro on some days. More than 100 kinds of local and imported vintages grace the wine list, but the fave remains Pasaj, available in either red or white. It's specially produced for Sarabi by the Anatolian wine giant Turasan. And, best of all, the food is maaahvelous.
ESSENTIALS
Address: Istiklal Cad. 174, Beyoglu,
Phone: +90.212.244.4609
Viktor Levi
Unlike his father, Viktor Levi found his muse in a vineyard rather than at the end of a fishing line off of the Turkish island of Bozca almost a century ago. His family continues his wine-producing legacy in a three-story building steeped with the history of Beyoglu. The Doluca and Yazgan wine companies produce unique reds for the house, including Adakarasi, Papazkarasi, Karasakiz and No. 59. Cabs and the popular Kalecik Karasi by Kavaklidere are also on offer. Not into wine? Beer, along with Mexican and Italian inspired orts, as well as salads, and desserts can also be had.
ESSENTIALS
Address: Tepebasi Cad. 12 (next to the British Consulate), Galatasaray
Phone: +90.212.249-6085. FYI:
There's also one on the Asian side, in Moda, minutiae available on the link.
Pano
Founded in 1898 by Panayot Papadapoulos, this wildly popular eatery/wine bar combo was renovated in 1997. House specialties are produced by Pano and Viktor Levi, but the No. 10 vintage and Beyaz Sevval--specially produced for Pano by Doluca and Yazgan--are the talk of the town. Join the pros and sip from a lofty chair downstairs or opt for the rear or second-floor table where the connoisseurs dine over the Pano Special Fillet--a mushroom and sauce cloaked beef filet.
ESSENTIALS
Address: Hamalbasi Caddesi 26, Tepebasi, +90.212.292-6664
STRICTLY SPEAKING
To Taste = Tatmak (pron. as it's read)
•Didn't get enough? Me, neither. Join me for Part Deux tomorrow as I uncork three more winemakers on the move.