Kavaklidere Kalecik Karasi

Usually duty-free is far overpriced compared to the market, but on a hunch I purchased a bottle of 2003 Kavaklidere Kalecik (red wine) for 15.50 Euros. Aside from the transportation security antics I had to go through (since Turkey is not in the EU the european airports refuse to let you carry a bottle of sealed wine on-board the aircraft) I found upon return home that the retail price on this wine is US$49.99. Shocking, and also neat to read that the grapes are somewhat rare, but on their way back again:

The Kalecik Karası grape of Central Anatolia which was on the brink of extinction due to the negligence of long years, has taken its deserved place in viticulture as a product of Kavaklidere thanks to the long term efforts of Turkish and French experts of Kavaklidere Wines Inc. and Ankara University Faculty of Agriculture. This special prestige wine has the color of a ruby stone, it is rich, well-balanced, and has a lasting and charming aroma of red fruit, vanillin, and cocoa. It has a light, fresh, and elegant finish. It can be aged for another six years in the bottle.

There really are some superb Turkish wines worth tasting, if you can get them out of the country without the “security” hassles.

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