9 Lives of Narince: savory Turkish wine to taste this summer

An ice-cold bottle of white wine? Sounds like a perfect companion for summer in Türkiye. But which one? Which local Turkish wine is good and not overpriced?

For those who enjoy when wine brings some freshness without too firm acidity, doesn't appear too light and watery, but has some body and character, Türkiye has a special treat: Narince [nɑːɾinˈdʒɛ].

Where does Narince come from?

Narince is an indigenous white grape variety from the North of Türkiye, South - East of the Black Sea.

Northern Türkiye's Tokat province is known as the home of Narince. This region is located between the humid Black Sea region and the dry Central Anatolian plateau, and is famous for its exceptional biological diversity and nearly unpolluted environment.

The dominant geographical influence in the region is the presence of mountain ranges.

The Northern Anatolian Mountains run parallel to the Black Sea coast, acting as a barrier and rain shadow, preventing the winds from the Black Sea from bringing extra moisture to the region. This Northern Turkish viticultural area benefits from elevations varying between 600-750 meters, creating a gradient of local microclimates and aspects as rising 100 meters generally drops average temperatures by about 1°C. This creates sharp contrasts between mild, lower-altitude river valleys and cold mountain terrains, and gives winemakers a wide range of options and choices when working with Narince.

The elegant queen of the North takes over the whole country

Today Narince grapes are wide spread all over the country and are grown not just on the North, but in other viticultural areas of Türkiye as well. Thrace, the Mediterranean and Aegean regions, and Central Anatolia - they all have their own Narince wines.

It is one of the most popular grapes among local drinkers and wineries, and is often called by foreign wine lovers the "Turkish Chardonnay."

(Note: by this nickname, wine lovers refer to the New World and Burgundy Chardonnays styles rather than Chablis)

The organoleptic profile of Narince - how does it taste?

While there are significant variations of Narince wines depending on producer approach and terroir, the best samples usually impress tasters with an elegant aromatic profile with light citrus zest, white blossom, acacia aromas and ripe apples, pears, quince and generous stone fruits like peach, nectarine, apricot.

Due to medium acidity, Narince often ends up in blends with fresher grapes. It also makes its own contribution: brings body to blends, This wine shows great results after aging in oak: gains a smooth, buttery and chewy texture with a creamy vanilla touch, while keeping the freshness up.

1 grape 9 lives: which appearance of Narince would you chose?

Here is my list of 9 Narince wines for your glasses this summer. Why 9? Just like a cat, this grape survived! Also Narince managed to spread to different regions and made it to the minds of different winemakers, inspiring them to create different wines and give 9 different lives to one grape - Narince.

Meet them all below!

Just a reminder: I am not affiliated with any winery or distributor; all wines are tasted out of my own enthusiasm, and this list is based on my professional expertise and personal preferences as a DipWSET living (and drinking!) in Türkiye for almost 20 years.

My aim here is the introduction of the different Narince styles to the foreign audience and in this way contribution (hopefully!) to the quality of guests holidays with local wines.

So let's have a look at the 9 lives of Narince!

No: 1 - Narince Collection by Diren, Tokat - Fresh and affordable!

Stainless steel kept this wine fresh for you to enjoy a the most fresh version of Narince. "Diren" winery situated in Tokat and the recent generation attracts the attention and respect because of being focused on rising the quality, adding more indigenous varieties to their product line and at the same time - keeping the prices affordable.

Diren also has a quite wide distribution, so it can be easily found in markets like Carrefour, Migros etc and wide range of restaurants.

This Narince is elegant, strong yet impressively fresh. Dry with medium body and elegant citrus, pear, apple aromas.

Great performance-to-price ratio.

No: 2 - Narince Mahla by Diren, Tokat - level up with French oak

Same producer, but different approach: 9 months in French oak added a new dimension to the flavor profile of this Narince. At the same time, it still keeps the freshness and acidity at the exact level you need to enjoy the wine.

But the focus here is on the creamy, buttery texture; vanilla flavor is the harmonious addition to the baked rather than fresh stone fruits here. Think peach pie with vanilla ice cream, mmmmmm!

Important note - despite more sweetness in aroma, this wine is dry and pleasantly savory.

Great performance-to-price ratio.

Great gastronomical partner for the grilled fish and chicken kebabs too!

Diren deserves special respect for their promotion of local grapes and wine culture done very carefully and effectively (and of course in accordance to quite strict local law forbidding almost everything).

No: 3 - Narince by 502 Vineyards, Merzifon - a nice step towards concentration and orange style

Narince by 502 Vineyards comes from a newcomer winery in Merzifon. This sub-region of the Black Sea viticultural area, it is even more elevated than Tokat, up to 750-850 meters.

A boutique, quality-oriented approach delivers their vision and invites to take a step towards the orange spectrum of Narince, meaning the skin contact and keeping on the lees were applied during winemaking, as well as some oak influence too:

75% stainless steel, 25% French oak (3 months). 12-hour skin contact, 4 months on lees. Minimal sulfite, unfiltered.

Medium body is balanced by medium acidity, and elegant layers of white flowers, orange zest, apricot clafoutis with vanilla cream, and a herbal savory finish with oregano and rosemary notes.

This savory wine calls for spicy appetizers like tapas or mezzes and it will be a perfect pairing!

No: 4 - Narince-Chardonnay by Kuzubağ, local + classic blend from Pamukkale region

These vineyards are just about 30 minutes away from the famous travertines of Pamukkale in Denizli province. This region and elevated Denizli plateau became a second home and distinct terroir for some local grapes from the other regions. And Narince is one of them.

Kuzubağ is a newcomer boutique producer with grower background and impressive achievements already with a couple of recent vintages. This family owned winery masters the balance of savoriness, weight and freshness in one glass. Great performance-to-price ratio and good solution for those who would like to try something local but at the same time is afraid to waste money on completely unknown grapes.

I believe this kind of blend with local and unique+ international and well known grapes can do a huge favor to a local grapes and help with introducing them to a wider audience.

No: 5 - Narince Côtes d'Avanos, Chateau Serie by Kavaklıdere - guarantee of flawless performance

This Narince perfectly represent the arid, continental Anatolian terroir of Cappadocia, Central Türkiye. Deservingly, this wine is one of the most favored ones among the tourists who visit Türkiye and discover local wine lists. This top line by big producer Kavaklidere winery is a good example of flawless premium product: good quality in the bottle, good naming and stylish label on the bottle complete each other and with a good distribution it can be easily found in the restaurants.

This Narince one of the most approachable and refined expressions of this grape. You wouldn't be wrong if you call it: the most classic appearance of Narince.

The expectations set up by price and label are totally met in the glass. It creates good impression and most of people who try this Narince wine for the first time are happy to take photo of the bottle for the future orders. It does recall an association with good quality Chardonnays from developed wine producing regions like Burgundy and California.

This premium, quality-oriented wine by Kavaklidere deserves absolute appreciation and has become the face (and the proper introduction!) of Narince to the most of country guests. Creamy, chewy, yet savory and elegant wine.

Premium price and premium performance.

The only "but" that comes to my mind: this wine is too classic and flawless for the wine geeks. So if you are a fearless wine geek: skip this wine and bear with me for more wild and radical recommendations!

No: 6 - Narince "Vineyards Serie" by Likya Winery, Antalya - cool climate version from the very south of Türkiye

This Narince comes from the Mediterranean region, right from the heart of the tourism - Antalya! But it is born literally in heaven: on the plateau of Taurus mountains elevated more than 1,100 meters above Antalya.

Therefore Narince by Likya winery is a cool-climate wine from the most southern part of Türkiye. And this Narince is cool indeed, with a perfect quality-to-price ratio.

This is the wine to try while you are on holiday in Antalya - winery offers a good distribution to a lot of restaurants there too!

The Mediterranean terroir shows off itself with a garrigue touch: dried and fresh herbs like thyme, oregano and of course generous dose of zaahter, followed by peppery notes at the finish. Of course, stoned fruits, ripe peaches, apricots and white flowers create there layers of bright flavors too.

I said it before about Narince in general and I have to say it again about this particular wine by Likya winery: a really great savory wine for summer, with a great gastronomic pairing potential. This is a strong wine, but you may notice it only when the bottle is finished! I always suggest this wine to visitors who doesn't really like light and watery white wines and they are always happy about this choice.

Special respect to Likya winery for discovery, protection and vinification experiments with unknown local grapes mainly from Antalya region. They could be just doing some commercial line for tourists, but winery digs much dipper and changes the story of vines, grapes and wines in Antalya and Türkiye. Make sure to taste their wines, or just leave the beaches and heatwaves behind and go directly to the winery while in Antalya!

No: 7 - Narince Kabuğunda Kehribar by Paşaeli, İzmir, Aegean region - total orange, full of flavor!

This wine comes from one more Turkish viticultural area where Narince grows - Izmir province, Aegean region. This particular style represent the winery aproach, the winemaker and grape rather than region - it is an impressive orange version of Narince.

Paşaeli Winery is one more great producer who does a lot for discovery and development of almost forgotten, indigenous grapes. Paşaeli masters technics with keeping local wines on the lees and/or macerating with skins, therefore creating amber or orange versions of white grapes wine. Nobody ever had done this before to Turkish varieties! Seyit Karagözoğlu crew was not afraid to try and just face the results what ever they are going to be.

And these experiments turned out to be just amazing!

Actually, their success inspired a lot of improvement in work with local grapes applied now by many wineries. While others were choosing confidence and work with local wines in more familiar way, not deviating from the classics, Paşaeli crew was bravely searching for the new forms to be applied to the ancient grapes.

This is how the orange dimension of Narince and many other local grapes were born.

This wine was kept on the lees and with skins for about 20 days.

Candied orange and dried petals, quince marmalade, dried lemon zest, a pinch of zaahter, white pepper and ginger.

Radical? For sure! Not boring? Definitely! Must try for those who appreciate orange wines. You will love the intensity of this orange Narince. Wine geeks, are you still here? You will be really upset if you miss this one!

No: 8 - Organic Vineyards Narince by Vinolus winery - best balance award!

If you are looking for a bottle of Narince for a special occasion - look no more! Here it is: Narince created by organic vineyards of Vinolus winery and their team inspired by a female founder and truly visionary Oluş Molu.

Unique terroir of Kayseri, situated just next to Cappadocia, but usually missed by mainstream tourism radars. What a fail to not take an advantage of this Central Anatolian viticultural area!

These lands welcomed Narince grape and made it felt just like home here, with its volcanic sand and clay soils, almost no phylloxera, dry arid continental climate and altitude around 1100 meters. Skillfully applied winemaking technics such as lees contact and a touch of aging in French oak reflected the winery's vision of Narince.

As a result Vinolus Narince is one of the most full bodied yet elegant at the same time.

Still savory, but generously layered with aromas and flavors from different dimensions: apricot blossom, orange peel, propolis, peach juice and peach and pecan pie, shortbread cookies and vanilla custard, rosemary and candied ginger with long clean and savory finish.

Great balance of crystal clear complex flavors, medium acidity and a velvety creamy mouthfeel.

A very special premium wine for a very special occasion. Note it now and thank me later.

No: 9 - Narince Reserve by Arda Winery - Entre Trois Mers, the finest Narince ever!

This style created by Arda Winery from Thrace shows the endless potential of Narince grape. Winemaker Şeniz Saç beautifully managed partial fermentation in French oak barrels and created a wine with a truly unique character. Thanks to her Narince Reserve we found out that Narince grape does have potential to create the real fine wine.

Full body and high alcohol are balanced harmoniously by flavor complexity. The first sip and you are taken away by these layers, one after another: lime zest, orange blossom, lemon curd, ripe juicy peach (that one, from your childhood, eaten right from the tree while juice running off your fingers...), white nectarine and sun dried apricots, grilled pear, roasted almond flakes, buffalo cream, hay, rosemary, thyme.

This wine is born at the most Western part of Türkiye - Thrace - is where Arda winery situated. This area has continental climate. Day-night temperature here swings of 18-20°C during summer, and thanks to steady northern winds throughout the day, the vineyards are kept cool. Actually, this terroir is influenced by 3 seas at the same time: the Black Sea lies 110 km away, the Marmara Sea 110 km away, and the Aegean Sea 120 km away. Sorry, I can't skip this wine geek joke: this IS the Entre-Trois-Mers!

And last but not least: if you see this Narince Reserve by Arda Winery in the wine list - congratulations, you are at the one of the top fine dining restaurants of Türkiye, where this limited edition can be found!

Have you already chosen the Narince wine to taste?

I believe that all these different styles, these 9 lives of Narince serve different purpose, call for different budgets and occasions (from pick nick to fine dining), but all show different approaches, unique potential and faces of one grape - Turkish Narince.

Numbers in this list are just numbers, to make the perception easier, they are not rating or something.

Also, there are much more of proper Narince wines to enjoy while in Türkiye besides this list. I didn't add them all because probably I just didn't have a chance to re-taste some of them recently or because they are in the same style as one already mentioned and I didn't want to overwhelm you.

My aim here is to make the reader curios about unknown Turkish grape, give an idea about its different styles and hopefully gain one more appreciator of Made in Türkiye wines, starting with one of Narinces.

One the other hand, I really like the idea of gathering all the Turkish Narince wines together, in one list... And I promise to think about it! For now: thanks ahead for sharing your thoughts, feedbacks and tasting notes!

Cheers! Obviously, with a glass of Narince... But which one? Let me know your choice!