Turkey

Turkey's history of grape cultivation dates back to around 9,000 BC. Dr. José Vouillamoz, a renowned grape geneticist, has conducted DNA profiling studies indicating that the southeastern part of Turkey is the origin of grape seeds and grape domestication. The country is home to an estimated 1,200 different native grape varieties, though only about 60 are produced commercially. This diversity is attributed to the varied climates and terrains across Turkey, which have allowed individual grape varieties to thrive in isolation for centuries. Despite having the fourth-largest area under vine globally, after Spain, Italy, and France, the majority of Turkish vineyards are dedicated to table grapes, sultanas, or currants, due to the country's predominantly Muslim population. Only approximately 2.5% of Turkish vineyards are used for wine production. Turkey's commercial wine industry has existed since the 14th century, operating under the constraints of a Muslim state. The industry was never entirely outlawed under Ottoman rule because it generated useful taxes for the government. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, played a pivotal role in establishing the contemporary wine industry by setting up a state-owned winery in 1925. This initiative funded research into indigenous grape varieties and potential regional boundaries, with the assistance of French viticulturists M. Bouffart and Marcel Biron. This effort eventually led to the creation of 28 state-owned wineries. In 2004, the government closed its state-owned wine monopoly, marking a turning point for the Turkish wine industry. Since then, a new wave of quality-focused wineries has emerged, many emphasizing indigenous grape varieties. In 2008, Wines of Turkey was established by the government to bring global attention to the industry and its producers. However, a tension between the wine industry and the government remains. In 2013, then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan imposed strict controls on domestic sales and advertising, leading producers to increasingly rely on exports and tourism for sales. As of 2017, there were more than 100 wineries in Turkey, with over half of the production concentrated along the Aegean coastline.