Turkey's Aegean vineyards attract wine lovers across world

The Aegean region of Türkiye is a wine lover's paradise. With its idyllic climate and terrain perfectly suited for winemaking, the region is home to more than half of the country's wine production.

One of the most popular wine destinations in the Aegean is the town of Urla. Located just a short drive south of Izmir, Urla is home to a thriving wine industry and a vibrant wine tourism scene.

The Urla Wine Route is a popular way to experience the region's wine culture. The route winds its way through the vineyards and wineries of Urla, offering visitors the chance to taste some of the region's finest wines.

In addition to tastings, the Urla Wine Route also offers visitors the chance to learn about the history of winemaking in the region, visit the wineries, and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

"A wine tourist spends on average over ten times more than an ordinary tourist," said Can Ortabas, owner of a winery in Urla and founder of the wine route, emphasizing the importance of attracting to Türkiye, an international tourism hub, upscale voyagers.

He envisions this trail as a strong contender on the global wine map, reminiscent of renowned wine regions like Bordeaux in France and Tuscany in Italy.

Türkiye has a long history of winemaking, dating back to 7,000 years ago. Today, Turkish winemakers across the country, especially in the Aegean region, are finding success in the cultivation and production of both local and imported grape varieties, winning awards and making their mark on the international market.

"The Aegean climate bestows a veritable cradle for Turkish viticulture, benefiting from its lower latitudinal positioning. This affords us the canvas to curate wines harnessing both international grape varietals and native treasures," said Umay Ceviker, a wine enthusiast and boutique producer based in Ankara, in an interview with Xinhua.

However, there are also challenges. Türkiye's wine-making sector has been grappling in the last decade with huge taxes and marketing obstacles due to the ban on promoting all alcoholic drinks. With challenges at home, producers have set their eyes on foreign markets, including China.

Ortabas said for the first time, a group of Turkish winemakers will open a stand at the 2023 China International Import Expo in Shanghai in November. "We are very excited, this will be a first for us."

Currently ranked 30th in wine production with the fifth-largest wine yard area, Türkiye is making strides towards gaining more international recognition in winemaking, as noted by Ceviker.

"With time on our side, Türkiye is asserting its rightful place in the world of wine. Our diverse range of grape varietals and winemaking techniques hold the promise of a brilliant future," he concluded.