about this region

Discover the Mediterranean Wine Region of Turkey

This region, located in the south of Turkey, one of the world's oldest wine countries, is one of the newest wine regions in the country. This region does not account for a huge portion of Turkey's wine production. Instead, it's all about bringing back local grape varieties like Acıkara, Margaz and Fersun. These grapes produce wines with a unique character. Wineries like Likya Wines are leading the charge while also experimenting with popular international grapes like Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. These grape varieties are used not only to produce excellent wines but also as table grapes.

The region has the perfect Mediterranean climate for growing grapes—hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. This setup allows for a long growing season, giving the grapes plenty of time to ripen. The region gets between 400 and 1,000 mm of rainfall each year, which helps to keep the vines healthy, especially during the cooler months.

This region has a great diversity of soils. Chalky (calcareous) soils, clay-loam soils, and gravelly soils are commonly found. Each of these soils encourages deep root growth and concentrated flavours.

Geographically, this region is quite interesting, too, thanks to its proximity to different Turkish wine regions and other countries. To the west, it borders Turkey's Aegean wine region, which is home to some of the country's top vineyards, especially around İzmir. Up north, it touches Central Anatolia, where the climate is more continental. Southeastern Anatolia lies to the east, with its warmer, semi-arid climate and deep winemaking traditions.

The Mediterranean wine region also shares a southern border with Syria. Cyprus, though not a direct neighbour, lies across the sea to the southwest. Finally, across the Aegean Sea to the west lies Greece, another country with a great winemaking culture. So, grab your glass and join a wine-tasting experience in this wine region that will gain more popularity over time!

Discover Terroir

Landscape of the Mediterranean Wine Region

The Mediterranean wine region of Turkey has a really beautiful and diverse landscape.

You've got coastal plains, rolling hills, and the awesome Taurus Mountains in the background. It's the perfect setting for vineyards!

Many of these vineyards are built on terraces, where old stone walls help manage the slopes. These walls aren't just there to help grow grapes—they also showcase centuries-old winemaking traditions.

The region's super close to the Mediterranean Sea, which is a big plus for the vineyards. They get to enjoy that coastal influence, which makes the landscape both practical and pretty. Finally, its location close to areas like the Aegean wine region makes the Mediterranean wine region a real stunner.

So, grab your glass and prepare to explore Turkish wine in a wine cellar.

Climate of the Mediterranean Wine Region

The Mediterranean wine region of Turkey has the perfect climate for growing grapes.

The summers are hot and dry, with temperatures often going above 35°C (95°F). The winters are milder and a bit wetter. The region usually gets between 400 to 1,000 mm of rainfall a year, which helps keep the vines happy and healthy during the cooler months.

The Mediterranean Sea is like a big air conditioner for the region. It helps balance out the hot summer temperatures with cooler sea breezes. This creates a long growing season, giving the grapes lots of time to ripen fully. The mild winters ensure the vines don't get too cold and damaged.

These conditions are perfect for making all kinds of wines, from strong, bold reds to fresh, crisp whites.

Most Common Soils of the Mediterranean Wine Region

Did you know that the Mediterranean region has a great diversity of soils? From calcareous to gravelly soils, this region has it all to produce amazing wines!

Calcareous (Chalky) Soils: These soils are rich in calcium carbonate and have great heat retention, allowing grapes to ripen fully. They drain well but also hold enough moisture to keep the vines happy during dry periods. Plus, wines from grapes grown in these soils often have a nice mineral taste.
Clay-Loam Soils: These soils have the perfect mix of clay, silt, and sand, which means they're great at holding onto moisture while still draining well. They're also full of nutrients, which keep the vines healthy and strong. The moisture retention here helps produce wines that are a bit more robust.
Gravelly Soils: These soils are all about great drainage. They don't hold onto water, which makes the vines work harder to find nutrients. This usually leads to more concentrated flavours in the grapes. These soils also help regulate temperature. This means that they stay warm during the cool nights and release the heat through the day, helping the grapes to ripen slowly.

Each soil helps wine producers to craft wines with depth, structure, and distinct character.

Sustainability

Sustainability in the Mediterranean Wine Region

Despite being still a developing region, winemakers here are getting super serious about sustainability.

Organic certification is a huge deal now, thanks to the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Wineries are using way less synthetic chemicals and focusing on natural methods to manage their vineyards. They're using drip irrigation and cutting back on pesticides to save water and keep the soil healthy.

Likya and other wineries are totally leading the pack. They're combining traditional winemaking with modern sustainability practices. They're also working to protect the local plants and animals, shrinking their carbon footprints.

The best part? This shift isn't just great for the planet—it's also making the wines from this region more unique. Thanks to these practices, Mediterranean Turkish wines are making a name for themselves.

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Most Common Grapes of the Mediterranean Wine Region

The Mediterranean region is becoming a hotspot for wine enthusiasts, thanks to its mix of local and international grape varieties. This region has warm, dry summers and mild, rainy winters—perfect for growing grapes. The most popular varieties in this region are Acıkara, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Fersun, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Most Common Red Grapes

Acıkara: This local red grape loves the higher elevations of the Mediterranean region, especially around the Taurus Mountains. The hot and sunny days allow these grapes to reach an ideal level of ripeness. The cooler nights, on the other hand, help balance out the grape's sugars and acidity. Acıkara thrives on calcareous, well-drained soils, which keep its roots nice and dry.
Syrah: Syrah thrives in the Mediterranean's hot, dry climate. This grape needs a long growing season, which this region provides. It also benefits from cooler nights, which help maintain the right amount of acidity. Plus, with minimal rainfall during the summer, the risk of disease is super low. Finally, Syrah thrives in gravelly or stony soils, which provide great water retention.
Cabernet Sauvignon: This classic red variety thrives in warm temperatures and well-drained soils. The region's long, sunny days help Cabernet Sauvignon ripen to perfection. The cool nights, on the other hand, allow this grape to maintain its acidity. In addition, the cooler temperatures allow for a slow and more even ripening process.

Most Common White Grapes

Fersun: Fersun is a local white grape that thrives in the Mediterranean's moderate climate. It prefers well-drained soils that don´t have great water retention. This grape needs warm days to ripen and cooler nights to hold onto its acidity. The combination of spring rains and dry summers gives Fersun just enough water to develop without needing heavy irrigation.
Chardonnay: Chardonnay is very adaptable and thrives in the Mediterranean's warm, sunny climate. The cooler nights of the region help maintain the grape's acidity. Regarding soils, Chardonnay prefers clay-limestone or calcareous soils, which offer excellent drainage. The mild winters and dry summers are perfect for showcasing the versatility of Chardonnay.
Sauvignon Blanc: These wine grapes thrive with moderate humidity and calcareous and gravelly soils with great drainage. This grape needs warm days to ripen and cooler nights to keep its bright acidity. Finally, the region's mild winters and dry summers make it easy to grow Sauvignon Blanc with controlled irrigation.

Most Common Wines from the Mediterranean Wine Region

This wine region is pumping out awesome Turkish wines. The most common wines you'll come across in this region are Acıkara, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Fersun, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Most Common Red Wines

Acıkara: This is a powerful red wine with a strong earthy taste and deep flavours of dark berries. It's got a subtle forest-floor smell. The tannins are firm, and the acidity is balanced, making it perfect for pairing with grilled meats.
Syrah: Syrah from this region is packed with flavour! It's got a robust, spicy taste with hints of blackberry, plum, and black pepper. The warm climate gives it a rich, full-bodied character. The cooler nights, on the other hand, give Syrah wines a great acidity.
Cabernet Sauvignon: Expect a burst of blackcurrant, plum, and a hint of mint or eucalyptus flavours. The strong Mediterranean sun gives this wine a concentrated texture and some nice earthy undertones.

Most Common White Wines

Fersun: Fersun is a light, refreshing white wine with high acidity. This wine showcases clean, crisp flavours of green apple and citrus. It's becoming more popular among people who like wines with a mineral twist,
Chardonnay: Mediterranean Chardonnay can be either crisp and fresh or rich and oaky. Its flavours include ripe apple, pear, and citrus. In addition, it has a great balance between its creamy texture and bright acidity.
Sauvignon Blanc: This zesty and aromatic white wine showcases citrus, green apple, and grassy notes. Its high acidity makes it a refreshing choice for hot Mediterranean days.

Whether you like bold reds or crisp whites, you'll definitely find something you love on a wine tourism trip in the Mediterranean wine region!

History of wine

History of the Mediterranean Wine Region

Winemaking in Turkey's Mediterranean region has been around for a really long time. This region is actually where wine production first started. Archaeologists have found evidence that suggests people could have been making wine here as early as the 7th millennium BC.

Ancient civilizations, such as the Hittites, Greeks, and Romans, were key to developing the wine culture in this area. They improved winemaking techniques and passed down their knowledge of winemaking from one generation to the next.

In the modern era, winemaking in the Mediterranean region of Turkey had a big comeback, especially in the 20th century. After a long time of limited production under the Ottoman Empire, Turkey's first president, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, brought back wine production in 1925.

Today, wineries in the Mediterranean region combine these old-school practices with modern technology. They make unique wines that showcase the area's long history and innovative spirit, reflecting the great diversity of Turkey's wine industry.

Mediterranean