Eastern Anatolia: Elazığ and Diyarbakır

Elazığ and Diyarbakır are the homelands of Türkiye's two most characterful red grapes. High vineyards in Elazığ's Euphrates basin and hot, dry slopes near the Tigris in Diyarbakır grow two very different grapes.

Öküzgözü

Elazığ's Öküzgözü ('ox eye') is named for its large, dark berries. It makes medium-bodied, high-acid wines with sour cherry and red-fruit aromas and soft tannins.

Boğazkere

Diyarbakır's Boğazkere is Türkiye's most tannic red grape; its name ('throat scratcher') comes from the dry feeling its tannins leave in the throat. It makes full-bodied wines with dark-fruit and spice notes. Öküzgözü and Boğazkere are often blended: one brings acidity and fruit, the other tannin and structure.

A continental climate

Hot summers and cold winters concentrate the ripening of the grapes. The harvest runs from mid-September into October.

Eastern Anatolia at the table

Elazığ köfte, stuffed bulgur köfte and lamb dishes; our lamb köfte is a small interpretation of this cooking.