So, you find yourself in the gorgeous city of Istanbul, you love wine but you're not familiar with the local wine scene (and you may have even questioned if quality wine was made in Turkiye)… before you think there's no hope of quenching your local wine thirst, there is an answer – Wayana Wine Bar
 
Found on the Asian side of the city in the cool neighbourhood of Kadikoy, this family run wine bar is headed up by the larger-than-life and super knowledgeable, Cenap.

Since 2010, the team at Wayana have been championing Türkiye’s huge array of historical and indigenous grape varieties, all of which are sumptuously surprising and designed for the international palate.

This wine bar regularly tops the best wine bars in Istanbul and it’s not surprising, considering it stocks over 500 bottles, representing 120 local producers and 72 grape varieties, with many wines available by the glass,  Wayana is the go-to spot for wine nerds, aficionados, collectors, and those in search of a great glass in the city where two continents meet.

If you haven't tried much (or any) wines from Turkiye, you're in for a very special treat here. Personally, I am a huge fan of the crisp, textured white variety, Emir and the smooth medium bodied KK, but I finally got to try the famous 'throat scratcher' - Boğazkere - a variety akin to a Tannat, with punchy tannins and acidity. With nearly nine years of ageing, the reserve Boğazkere we tried from southeast Türkiye was a game changer. Punchy and smooth, full of black fruit and beautifully balanced. Holy moley.

It's not easy finding premium, small batch wines from Türkiye outside of Türkiye (yet) but this charming wine bar in what has to be one of the world’s most vibrant cities is a hot spot for many (if not all) of the best bottles available across the country.

Tesekkurler Cenap for your generosity. Serefe to more boutique Turkish wines coming our way.