From our friends at Ottoman Taverna...
On Monday, September 19th, 2016, Ottoman Taverna will host a guided tasting and winemaker’s dinner showcasing wines from Vinkara Vineyard, a 200-acre winery situated along the Kizilirmak River Basin in Ankara, Turkey. Founded by Ardıç Gürsel, Vinkara's philosophy is to introduce and build awareness of indigenous Anatolian grapes to the world by making wines that are ideally suited for their sites, soils, and climates. Guests at this special evening will explore the complex wines of Turkey, which have been carefully selected by Vinkara Vineyard's US Representative Marianne Castaldo to complement a seven-course dinner created by Executive Chef Ilhan Erkek. Castaldo will be attending to lead the dinner and answer questions about the featured wines. Tickets are priced at $69 per person (tax and gratuity not included.) Wines featured for the evening are Vinkara, Narince, Ankara, Turkey 2014, Vinkara, Narince Reserve, Ankara, Turkey 2012, Vinkara, Kalecik Karasi, Ankara, Turkey 2013, Vinkara, Kalecik Karasi Reserve, Ankara, Turkey 2012; Vinkara, Bogazkere Reserve, Ankara, Turkey 2011, and Vinkara, Okuzgozu, Ankara, Turkey 2013. The complete dinner menu is posted below.
WHEN: Monday, September 19th at 7:30 PM, limited seating is available and reservations are required by calling (202) 847-0395, or please visit http://ottomantaverna.com.
WHERE: Ottoman Taverna is located at 425 I (Eye) Street, NW, Suite #107, Washington, DC 20001 (on 4th Street, between I & K Streets.) The restaurant is located four blocks (0.4 miles) from the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro accessible on the Red, Yellow and Green Lines and five blocks (0.6 miles) from the Mt Vernon Sq./7th St-Convention Center Metro accessible on the Green, Yellow Lines.
WHY: Scientific studies have shown that the history of wine dates back 15,000 years to the Hittites who lived in Central Anatolia, modern day Turkey, a place believed to be the birthplace of winemaking. Throughout history, more than 25 civilizations have been established on Anatolian soil with wine playing a key role in the lives of those societies. Marco Monchiero, Vinkara's Oenologist, states “The history of these lands and the “Kalecik Karası”grape means that we own the roots of a culture that we must introduce to everyone. We believe the introduction of this culture is the main responsibility of Vinkara.” Planted at 2,000 feet above sea level, Vinkara's vineyards span rocky hills and plateaus of modern day Anatolia strewn with sage trees and endemic flora and fauna. All fruit utilized in the production of Vinkara wines is estate grown on vertical trellis, and are green harvested early in the season, picked by hand, hand sorted and varieties are all fermented separately. Vinkara's guiding philosophy is to introduce and build awareness of indigenous Anatolian grapes and their unique tastes to the world. Unhindered by international grape trends, Vinkara has introduced seven undiscovered wines to the United States: Vinkara Yaşasın, Vinkara Kalecik Karası, Vinkara Kalecik Karası Reserve, Vinkara Narince, Vinkara Narince Reserve, Vinkara Boğazkere Reserve and Vinkara Winehouse Öküzgözü.
WHY: Scientific studies have shown that the history of wine dates back 15,000 years to the Hittites who lived in Central Anatolia, modern day Turkey, a place believed to be the birthplace of winemaking. Throughout history, more than 25 civilizations have been established on Anatolian soil with wine playing a key role in the lives of those societies. Marco Monchiero, Vinkara's Oenologist, states “The history of these lands and the “Kalecik Karası”grape means that we own the roots of a culture that we must introduce to everyone. We believe the introduction of this culture is the main responsibility of Vinkara.” Planted at 2,000 feet above sea level, Vinkara's vineyards span rocky hills and plateaus of modern day Anatolia strewn with sage trees and endemic flora and fauna. All fruit utilized in the production of Vinkara wines is estate grown on vertical trellis, and are green harvested early in the season, picked by hand, hand sorted and varieties are all fermented separately. Vinkara's guiding philosophy is to introduce and build awareness of indigenous Anatolian grapes and their unique tastes to the world. Unhindered by international grape trends, Vinkara has introduced seven undiscovered wines to the United States: Vinkara Yaşasın, Vinkara Kalecik Karası, Vinkara Kalecik Karası Reserve, Vinkara Narince, Vinkara Narince Reserve, Vinkara Boğazkere Reserve and Vinkara Winehouse Öküzgözü.
Vinkara Wine Dinner Menu
Chilled Raki-Infused Cucumber
with dill yogurt Sphere
Salmon Trio
raki salmon gravlax, dill salmon mousse, chilled sumac salmon
Sour Green Apple Sorbet
Braised Short Ribs
liver & herbed rice pilaf, morel mushroom, spicy tamarind caramel
Pan Seared Royal Seabass
almond & grape mousseline, confit pear tomatoes, petite greens
Butter Poached Lamb Loin
coriander eggplant puree, charred cherry peppers, mustard leaves
Grilled Cinnamon Quince
lemon leaves, champagne cloud
lemon leaves, champagne cloud
