Bornova Misketi
Bornova Misketi is one of Anatolia’s oldest and most aromatic grape varieties. Grown throughout history in the fertile lands of the Aegean, it also features in some of the earliest records of world wine culture. Herodotus of Halicarnassus (Bodrum), the father of history, mentions the rose- and honey-scented Moskhatos wine of Smyrna (İzmir) in the 5th century BC. Thus Misket becomes the grape variety mentioned in a written source for the first time in history. This long heritage makes Bornova Misketi not just a grape variety, but a living part of Anatolia’s thousands of years of winegrowing culture.
Bornova Misketi, usually grown in Turkey’s Aegean region, particularly around İzmir, has also been successfully cultivated in Kalecik, where its unique terroir gives it a distinct and striking character. The microclimate shaped by the Kızılırmak, high altitude and the region’s mineral-rich soils preserve the grape’s natural aromatic intensity while lending it a livelier, more balanced structure. Warm days and cool nights allow the grapes to reach aromatic ripeness while retaining their freshness and natural acidity. The Bornova Misketi grapes from Kalecik are thin-skinned and light green, featuring high acidity and an intense aromatic profile.
The wines produced from these grapes are vibrant in color, ranging from pale straw to bright gold. On the nose, orange blossom, jasmine, honeysuckle and white-flower aromas take the lead, while lemon peel, bergamot, mandarin and tropical fruit notes complete this rich aromatic profile. Despite their intense aromatics, their balanced acidity gives them a fresh, lively and elegant palate.
Bornova Misketi’s defining feature is its powerful aromatic character. The floral and fruity aromas that reveal themselves the moment the wine is poured make this one of Turkey’s most recognizable white grape varieties. Its fresh, vibrant structure makes it ideal for drinking young, when its aromatic richness shines at its brightest.
With their fresh and aromatic structure, these wines pair excellently with seafood, shellfish, sushi, white meats, fresh cheeses and light Mediterranean meze and appetisers. They are equally delightful on their own as an elegant, lively aperitif.
For Vinkara, Bornova Misketi is one of the most special grape varieties carrying Anatolia’s historic winegrowing heritage into the present. Bringing the ancient aromatic legacy of the Aegean together with Kalecik’s exceptional terroir, this precious grape reinterprets a story from the past through a modern approach to winemaking. In every glass, it continues to evoke thousands of years of winegrowing culture and the rich diversity of Anatolia’s grapes.
