Anatolia is the large peninsula which is the westernmost section of the Asian continent. It makes up most of the Asian Part of the modern country of Turkey. Its eastern and southeastern areas are thought to be among the first regions in the world to produce wine.
Wine subregions of Anatolia
Mid-southern Anatolia (around 12 percent of national production) consists of the provinces Kayseri, Kirsehir, Aksarayi and Nigde.
Climate is continental with hot Dry summers and cold winters
Annual rainfall varies between 400 and 600mm (16-24in)
Soils are mainly sand, sandstone and – most significantly for quality winemaking, volcanic tuff
Key Grape varieties are Chardonnay, Dimrit, Emir, Kalecik Karasi, Malbec, Narince, Öküzgözü, Sauvignon Blanc and Tempranillo
Mid-northern Anatolia (3 percent) includes the vineyards of Usak Province in the west and Ankara province.
Climate is continental, with annual rainfall of 200-400mm (8-16in)
The main soils are pebbly clay loam
Key grape varieties are Bogazkere, Kalecik Karasi, Öküzgözü and Syrah
Mid-eastern Anatolia (15 percent) includes the wine areas of Tokat, Elazig and Malatya Provinces.
Elazig and Malatya have continental climates while Tokat is more influenced by the Black Sea
Rainfall ranges from 600 to 1,000m (24-39 in)
Tokat soil is based on alluvial fan and river bed, in the other regions it ranges from red clay to decomposed granite and chalky clay
Main grape varieties are Narince, Bogazkere and Öküzgözü
Southeast Anatolia’s (3 percent) main growing areas lie in Diyarbakir Province.
Climate is continental with dry very hot days and cold nights in summer
Rainfall varies between 600 and 2,000mm per year (24-39in).
Soils are mainly decomposed sandstone and red clay
The main variety is Bogazkere
The history of early wine production in Anatolia
Turkey (in particular Eastern Anatolia) tends to compete with several of its neighbors in claiming the title of cradle of winemaking. In these countries archaeological finds which support their cause are usually heavily publicized.
The oldest permanent winemaking facility found to date – from 4,100BC - is actually located in the Areni-1 cave Complex of Armenia. Evidence of viticulture and more ad hoc grape Fermentation dates much to at least 7,000BC in China, and 5,000BC or earlier in Anatolia.
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