Award-winning Turkish wines break records at London Wine Fair

Turkish wines are in the spotlight after scooping up a record number of medals announced at the London International Wine Fair (LIWF) 2011 on Tuesday 17th May, where generic body for Turkish wine, Wines of Turkey (WoT), has been exhibiting. 

52 medals were awarded by the UK based International Wine Challenge (IWC) and 31 from the International Wines and & Spirit Competition (IWSC), two of the world's most prestigious and influential independent wine competitions; whilst 67 were awarded by the Decanter World Wine Awards 2011, the largest consumer wine competition in the world.  In total, 150 medals [list of award-winning wines attached] have been awarded to Turkish wines at LIWF, held 17- 19th May 2011 in London.

Turkey has also received its first ever Decanter Regional Trophy, the prestigious award for wines best in their regions, awarded to Kavaklidere in the Southern & Eastern Mediterranean sweet fortified category for its Tatli Sert Narince 2000, made from indigenous white grape Narince.

Not only have Turkish wines beaten all previous records for the total number of award-winning wine this year, but they have also beaten their previous category records, including receiving more silver medals than ever before.  Buyulubag, Kavaklidere, Kayra, Vinolus, Pamukkale, Urla and Vinkara wineries have together won 7 Silver in the IWC, 3 Silver & 3 Silver Best in Category (Kavaklidere) from the IWSC and 12 Silver from Decanter, as well as a huge array of other Bronze and Commended.

Indeed, the 331 medals awarded to Turkish wines from a range of international wine competitions between 2010 and 2011 is evidence of Turkey’s ascent on the international stage.

Other highlights of the LIWF include a visit on the second day by the Turkish Ambassador to the UK, H.E. Ahmet Unal Cevikoz who visited and sampled wines from all the attending wineries: Doluca, Kavaklidere, Kayra, Pamukkale, Selendi, Sevilen, Vinkara, Yazgan. 

Wines of Turkey also enjoyed a completely full house at its first ever standalone masterclass in the masterclass theatre on Wednesday 18th May: “Top Turkish wines, including winners in the 2011 IWC” hosted by Co-Chairman of the IWC Charles Metcalfe; who said: “There is a new generation of wine making in Turkey, some of which is showing some really remarkable quality; I for one would love to see more Turkish wine being distributed and sold in the UK”.

Wines of Turkey also hosted its first ever tutored tastings with Isa Bal, Head Sommelier of Michelin starred The Fat Duck and ASI Best Sommelier of Europe 2008 – who is also of Turkish origin, delighting guests on the first day of the fair on the Wines of Turkey stand with “The Best Turkish Wines for the British On-Trade”.  Today Isa Bal also showcased “Turkey’s Rising Stars: Best of the New Turkish Wines” on the IWSC stand with guests including Steven Spurrier – a tasting which has been one of their busiest of the fair.  Isa Bal says “the pace of change in Turkey is incredible and the world of wine is no different. Quality is improving significantly every year and we have so many unique indigenous grapes with their own unique character that I’m confident Turkish wines are soon to make their mark on the international stage”.  Master of Wine and Eastern European expert Caroline Gilby MW also offered her unique vision, anecdotes and guide through the flourishing new terrains of Turkish wine on the second day of the fair.

Wines of Turkey Director Taner Ogutoglu commented: “Not only does Turkish wine have a very interesting story to tell with south-eastern Anatolia being hailed as the most likely primary domestication centre of the grapevine but it is also home to some of the most exciting new grape varieties for the future.  Indeed, we strongly believe our indigenous grapes such as Emir and Narince from whites; and Kalecik Karasi, Okuzgozu and Bogazkere really will offer something new and exciting to British wine-drinkers.  Now it is time to focus our efforts on getting Turkish wine distributed and sold more widely in the UK.”

Indeed, according to Jancis Robinson OBE MW "Turkey's wine producers are fiercely ambitious about quality, open to what's going on elsewhere and with a huge ambition to export".