2021 Paşaeli Yapincak White, Tekirdağ, Marmara, Turkey

ABOUT THIS WINE

100% Yapıncak grapes
Pronunciation (Yap-in-jack)

The more serious of the two whites, Yapıncak is a variety grown exclusively on the European side of Turkey called Thrace near coastal villages. The fruit for this wine comes from a single vineyard in Şarköy that is about 150 meters above sea level and is facing south towards Sea of Marmara. There is always a cooling breeze coming from the sea. The vineyard has a gentle incline which is great for drainage. The vines are about 35 years old and are free standing vines with low yields and high quality.

The grapes are pressed with whole clusters and 90% fermented in stainless steel tanks with the other 10% in neutral French oak barrels. Aged for 3 months sur lie before bottling. 12% ABV.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Paşaeli is a family owned Turkish wine estate that was founded by Seyit Karagözoğlu in 2000. Seyit, who was born and raised in İzmir, appreciated the value of agriculture and made wine his passion at an early age. He planted vineyards and founded Paşaeli after a decade as a wine importer, as he felt the soil and climate of Turkey were ideal for growing high quality grapes. Indigenous varieties were planted in the Aegean region, such as Sultaniye, Yapıncak, Çalkarası, and Karasakız, and Bordeaux varieties were planted near İzmir. The Paşaeli wines are well-made, balanced, and great value wines from Turkey.

Founder Seyit Karagözoğlu is a personal friend of Marc de Grazia and has experience importing fine wines into Turkey before starting his own winery. Michael & Harmon Skurnik met Seyit at an event at Vinitaly a number of years ago, and when he approached us about representing his Turkish wines, we tasted the lineup and became instantly enthusiastic about adding them to the portfolio. Most of the wines are made from indigenous Turkish varieties, as well as a Bordeaux Blend, have great labels, informative back labels, and are priced right.