GASTROMONDIALE

BRAVO SWITZERLAND: SOME RECOMMENDED SWISS WINES FROM CASTELLO LUIGI ZANINI AND OTHERS

During the last six months I had the privilege of dining twice at Rochat and twice at Pont de Brent, two leading Michelin three star restaurants in Switzerland.  I used the opportunity to taste as many Swiss wines at possible which turned out to be inriguing to say the least. Below are my recommendations and rankings.

COMMENTS ON JANCIS ROBINSON’S COMMENTS ON TURKISH WINES

Less than a month ago the reknowned wine writer Jancis Robinson visited Turkey and conducted an extensive tasting of Turkish wines in front of a large group of wine professionals and producers.  She also visited two producers, Corvus and Kavaklidere, and tasted several wines from their barrels.  She then published her tasting notes and overall conclusions both in her website and the FT. Those interested to read her extensive notes should consult them.

My own interest in Ms. Robinson’s  views on Turkish wines simply stems from the fact that I am Turkish and that I write twice a week for the Turkish daily Milliyet (Sundays on restaurants and Tuesdays on wine related topics). I also have my own TV show where I visit and evaluate restaurants in Turkey, and while eating different dishes I offer some tips on food-wine matching to the extent allowed by draconian Laws in Turkey which discourage wine consumption. (The program is called Vedat Milor’la Tadi Damagimda and is aired three times a week on prime time by NTV.)  I should also add that, although I am known in Turkey primarily for restaurant reviews, I consider myself first and foremost a wine lover.