The Öküzgözü
Grape
A red grape variety indigenous to Turkey, producing medium-bodied wines with soft tannins and high acidity. Öküzgözü wines are characterized by their flavors of red fruits, cherry, and plum, with a floral aroma, offering a balance between fruitiness and earthy notes.
Öküzgözü
Grape History
Öküzgözü is an ancient grape variety that has a long and storied history dating back thousands of years. The name Öküzgözü translates to "ox eye" in Turkish, and it is believed that the name comes from the large size of the grape berries resembling the eyes of an ox.
This grape variety is native to Turkey and is primarily grown in the eastern Anatolia region, specifically in the Elazığ and Malatya provinces. Öküzgözü grapes thrive in the arid and rocky soils of this region, which contribute to the unique characteristics of the wines produced from this grape.
Öküzgözü is known for its bold and vibrant flavors, with notes of cherry, cranberry, and pomegranate, and a balanced acidity. It is often used in blends with other native Turkish grape varieties such as Boğazkere, producing complex and full-bodied red wines that are both rich and elegant.
One interesting fact about Öküzgözü is that it is known for its high sugar content, which makes it ideal for producing both dry and sweet wines. In recent years, winemakers have been experimenting with different winemaking techniques to showcase the versatility of this grape variety, leading to the production of exceptional rosé wines and even sparkling wines made from Öküzgözü grapes.
While Öküzgözü has been traditionally grown and consumed in Turkey, there has been a growing interest in this grape variety in the international wine market. As Turkish wines gain recognition and popularity worldwide, Öküzgözü has the potential to become a sought-after grape variety among wine enthusiasts.
Overall, Öküzgözü is a grape variety with a rich history, unique characteristics, and promising future. Its distinct flavors and versatility make it a grape variety to watch in the world of wine.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel