Any of you nice folk with well developed palates like to nominate your favourite Turkish tipple ? Sinan has already voted for EFES.

I must concur with Sinan that Efes is the beer of choice in Turkey. It is one of only a few lager type beers worldwide, that does not give my wife indigestion and I have never had a hangover with it. My other choice is Raki, however this has caused me to miss one or two breakfasts in my time, especially when I discovered at the end of a nights serious drinking and talking that my Turkish host had been only adding the smallest amount of water to the neat spirit. The Turkish version of Gin is drinkable, but is a second cousin of the real thing.

Hi MArko and Stephen1957,

We have EFES beer but also TEKEL which is goverment produce (You can not find this everywhere) and TUBORG, But my favorite is EFES. I am not drink RAKI which we call LIONS MILK because when you dring a glass which they call "SEK" or you can get "DOUBLE" I start to be THE BEST SINGER OF THE WORLD even if I have BAD VOICE. Absolutly you can lost yourself.

SIRINCE WINE is my favorite VINE which I wrote one of my forum. If you come (go) to SELCUK area PLEASE, PLEASE go to SIRINCE (only 7 KM far from SELCUK) and bu their wines which has different flavour. There are many wine makers in Turkey like CANKAYA, KAVAKLIDERE and also you can see many in CAPPADOCIA. BUT my favorite is SIRINCE WINES.

Sinan Akdeniz
[email protected]

Stephen, we appear to be similar generations, any age specific advice you may have about your visit. Sinan I have arranged for us to spend some time in Sirince, only a half a day though. In Australia we have Bundy Rum which turns most of us into singers , dancers and entertainers of the highest calibre....at least we think we are.

Drank a few efes and rakis in the last month, but enjoyed the wines of Bozcaada and Turkish "cognac" the most -can't remember the name of the cognac style brandy, but it was good - a little like metaxa. Agree with Sinan - Sirince wines are also very good.

Haven't heard much about Turkish brandy, any other comments regarding the "cognac" ?

Hi Marko,
I posted a reply to your thread yesterday, but it disappeared in the ether.
I have not tried the cognac, but can wholeheartedly recommend Turkish wines. As with many things in Turkey, they are very good value for money. A little recommendation is to aim for the slightly more expensive or up market products. Basic wine can cost a couple of pounds a bottle, but by paying three pounds you may find a wine which is twice as good. The same goes for restaurants and accommodation. Go for three star rather than two star and you will not be disappointed.
The most cost effective pastime is scuba diving. You can take one of a range of PADI courses there at a fraction of the cost of other Mediterranean resorts. Jewellery shopping is a great pastime, and always remember to haggle, especially with street vendors - it is expected.

We love our wine !! and don't mind paying for quality, I have found it difficult to get any idea of regions and varieties other than Sinan's suggestions. I may just have to dive in and taste as many as I can :]

last thoughts?

Hi Marko
Last thought from me: Bozcaada is similar to Sirince in that they both are ex-greek towns/areas that still produce greek style lighter wines. Boz has marketed itself as a wine producing area, and has wine festivals and a growing industry. In Istanbul through Bursa and the Aegean coast you will find Bozcaada wines - the largest B. winery is probably Troya. South of Izmir you will find mainly wines from Sirince. Assos and Bozcaada are both beautiful, less touristed (except weekends!) places to enjoy a bottle of Troya (or any bozcaada) wine by the sea.
P.S. Keep an eye open for that turkish cognac - sorry I can't remember the name, but if you ask around you're sure to find it!
Glenn

GDM....your a God Damn Marvel !! Great info thank you. Is Bozcaada on any of the major routes north ? (yes, I know I should look it up on the net !!)

Marko- Just returned yesterday from 3 weeks in Turkey and I must say I was really impressed by the quality of Turkish wines, though they are not cheap by Turkish standards. You might want to do a search for "Turkish Wines" on your browser - there are some excellent sites that detail the different vintners and varietals. I sampled about 10 different wines (mostly Turkish varietal grapes which I had never heard of) and all were unique and delicious. I particulary developed a fondness for Kavaklidere white- probably more attuned to American taste buds. Check out the sites -- explore, experience, and enjoy!!

Hi Marko
Boz is off the beaten track a little - the reason we saw so few foreign tourists perhaps? You need to drive or take a bus to geyikli from canakkale then about another 15 mins to the ferry at Yukyeri Iskelesi. The buses at Geyikli say Bozcaada on them. The ferry across to the beautiful little island of Bozcaada only runs a few times a day - 10 am, 2pm and I think one afternoon and one evening ferry. It's a really great place among so many other great places in Turkey - very special. (P.S. if you eat fish at the restos remember you are charged by weight of your meal - can get pricey!)
I was wrong about the wine - had to check a bottle we brought back - the wine is troya, the winery is Ataol. We stayed in a local home, and that was fine, but wish there had been room at Otel Kaikias - had a look around - very nice. Have a great trip!!!

There are 2 popular wine brands:

Kavaklidere:www.kavaklidere.com

Yakut,Okuzgozu,Kalecik Karasi,Selection are most preferred wines of Kavaklidere

Doluca:www.doluca.com

Antik,Nevsah are most popular

There is another brand named GULOR(high quality)

Sorry to resurrect this one, but as departure gets closer I am just filling in details.

My vote is for the Efes beer. If it wasn't for good beer in most countries I visit, I don't think I'd make it through. The Raki is a treat, but can do this rarely, unless I want to act the fool - it sure has a kick that sneaks up on you.

We did have a delightful red wine somewhere near Konya or Cappadoccia, but haven't the foggiest what is was, though I believe I have the label somewhere. We actually soaked it off the bottle we took with us upon leaving the restaurant.

Good times were had by all in Turkey!

I am more a wine person than a beer person, but I do like an occational beer, too. Efes used to be my Turkish favourite, and it still is, but now they also make DARK Efes, and not just the old lager type. And that is good, as good as the Czech ones.

EFES is my favorite too. As wine is an issue :

in Cappadocia TURASAN but red preferably Okuzgozu&Bogazkere mixture is goodddd. One can visist the vinery and taste variety there in Urgup.

There are many wine houses in istanbul actually they are getting popular by the minute. Brand Kavaklýdere SELECTION is the best in white or red, Kalecikkarasi is a real treat but might be expensive in restaurants ( 40 Usd )CANKAYA white dry sek from Kavaklidere is good to and YAKUT red.
Doluca has ANTIK white and red, OZEL KAV red is superb too. Aegean region you may come accross Pamukkale wines and DIAMOND of Pamukkale white or red is my favorite.
Sevilen has recently Chardonnay and Cabernet Sevignon, delightful as well.

Best Turkish barndy type is TRUVA, you can't beat the taste if you compare the price with any european brandy.

Oneshould always leave space for Raki ofcourse..... But slowly !

Cheers and happy drinkin...nvsdghqgdhg

Just by the naming of all the booze I got drunk ;-))

I thought I was the only person who collected memorable wine labels !

AS Beer try Efes Pilswen.
Wine

Kavaklýdere
Red Villa Antik
White Cankaya this are two grand names.regards
nejat