New Turkish wine generic a winner at LIWF

Published: 21 May, 2010

The new generic wine brand, Wines of Turkey, scooped a 72% award rate for wines under its umbrella at the London International Wine Fair LIWF, this week.

Out of 39 wines entered into the International Wine Challenge IWC, 3% were awarded a silver medal, 18% a bronze and 41% were commended.

Speaking at the LIWF, where the results of the IWC were announced, Taner Ö?üto?lu, director of Wines of Turkey, said he was very pleased and is considering setting up a UK generic base for 2011. "This is only our second time at the LIWF, the first being 2008. Last year because of the current economic situation we were unable to come, but this year we've had the support of the Turkish Tourism Office.

"The results are a great testament to our wines and this is just the beginning. We're going to issue a serious marketing strategy in 2011, which will begin later this year with a two day event consisting of an historical introduction to Turkish wines, and a food and wine matching event.

Daniel O'Donnell, a Californian winemaker at Kayra, said: "It's been a real pilgrimage and we've had to do a lot of experimental work finding out what varietals such as Öküzgözü can do."

The silver medals were taken by Kavaklidere's Pendore Syrah 2008, Ancyra Syrah 2009, Prestige Bogazkere 2004 and Tatli Sert Beyaz 1999 and Likya's Arykanda Cabernet Sauvignon 2008.

Activities at the LIWF also included the first-ever expert-led tastings of the best of Turkish wine with Oz Clarke, Tim Atkin MW, Charles Metcalfe and Susan Hulme MW, who all visited Turkey in March.

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