New Ankara Wine List Focuses on Indigenous & Emerging Grape Varietals

A sampling of Turkish wines available at Ankara (Photo: Maria Bryk)

From our friends at Ankara...

Ankara Unveils New Wine List Focused on Emerging, Indigenous Grape Varietals

Highlights wines of the region

In recognition of the renaissance Turkish wines are currently experiencing and to salute Turkey’s role as the origin of wine making dating back thousands of years, Ankara introduces a new wine list with an emphasis on lesser-known indigenous grape varietals and wines of the region. The new wine list emphasizes Turkish wines as well as wines from Greece, Georgia and Italy. Grape varietals found solely in Turkey such as Emir (eh-MEER), Narince (nah-RIN-cheh), Kalecik Karasi (kah-LE-chic KAR-ah-sehr), Boğazkere (bow-aahs-KEER-ee) and Öküzgözü (oh-cooz-Go-zoo) are a sampling of the lesser-known varietals found on the list. Ankara partnered with Sommelier Andrew Stover, one of Wine Enthusiast’s Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers, to create the highly curated list. The new wine list is available now. See it here.

“Turkish wines and indigenous grape varietals are perfect for adventurous wine lovers interested in trying something a little more off the beaten path, but we hope all our guests will embrace the opportunity to try wines that are new to them,” said Erin Gorman, Ankara’s marketing director. “Many of the Turkish wines on the new list are indigenous grape varietals that are unknown to most guests but offer comparative flavors to some of the internationally known grape varieties with which they are familiar. So the list is organized by flavor profile and includes short flavor descriptions for each wine to make it easy to understand the wines,” said Stover. In a nod to the viticulture of the Mid-Atlantic region, the list also includes selections from local winemakers.  To encourage guests to explore these new wines and grape varietals, all wines by the bottle are ½ price on Monday’s and a selection of wines by the glass are available during Happy Hour for $5. Happy Hour is Monday-Friday from 5-7 PM. Happy Hour drink prices are also available from 11 AM - 4 PM on Saturday during lunch.

ABOUT ANKARA: Ankara celebrates good food, hospitality and the heart of Turkey. It is an upscale-casual dining experience that celebrates the rich diversity of Turkish food and culture through a blend of classic and contemporary menu offerings and superb hospitality. Ankara is a labor of love for the Aslanturk family. Father, brothers, wives, cousins and children in both Washington, DC and Ankara, Turkey have come together to create a place that offers superior food, and encourages conversation and celebration amongst friends and family as well as neighbors and business professionals in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. The menu features the best of traditional Turkish foods as well as newly envisioned dishes. Ankara will serve lunch on Monday - Saturday from 11 AM - 4 PM; dinner Monday - Sunday from 5 PM - 12 midnight, and brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM - 3:30 PM. Happy Hour is available Monday - Friday from 5-7 PM on the patio and in the bar. The restaurant seats 120 indoors & 115 alfresco on the patio. Ankara is located at 1320 19th Street, NW, Washington, DC. Reservations can be made by going to Open Table or by contacting the restaurant directly. For more on Ankara, go to www.ankaradc.net, follow on Facebook and Twitter or call 202-293-6301.