Lots has been said recently about Turkey's ambitious diplomatic moves on the global stage. But what about in terms of wine? The Scotsman recently ran an article looking at some of the more notable developments in the world of Turkish wine -- suggesting Anatolia could be the next Napa Valley -- and offering some suggestions for bottles to look out for. The article is here.
Bottles inside a Turkish winery on the island of Gokceada
Soner Cagaptay, a researcher at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy who has become one of the Turkish government's most strident critics, frequently accusing it of turning the clock on Turkey's secularization process, is now attacking its liquor policy.
According to Cagaptay, the Islamic-rooted and socially conservative government of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) is systematically working to turn Turkey off to booze. How is it doing that? By making it more expensive and harder to buy alcohol, Cagaptay argues. From his piece:
Since the Justice and Development Party, or AKP, rose to power in Turkey in 2002, special taxes on alcohol have increased dramatically, making a glass of wine or beer one of the most expensive in Europe, and for that purpose anywhere in the world.
