Sunday, November 02, 2008

Bottled Love

-
I was lo
oking for a weekend spot to go off to. May be it's a sign this photo of boat-shaped café to understand what type of place I have been to..?


A
little, mysterious island of the North Aegean was the address of my trip. The third biggest island in Turkey, and the natural beauty I went to was behind the historical Venetian fortress seen above..

Old Venetian Fortress, or today's known as Bozcaada Castle was originally built by the Phoenicians, and passed through the Athenians, the Greek, Alexander the Great, Byzantinians, Genoese, Venetians and the Ottomans. It was fully restored by the Ottomans, and they also ruled the island.


The island is also the main growing region of Cavus grapes which has a well deserved fame among consumers. It's NOT simply produced by the extraction and fermentation of the grape juice here. Behind its chemical process it stands thousands of terms: wine region, grape variety, cellar bottle, label, and even a coin which is enough to tell us its history going back to 3000 BC. Close attention to grapes and wine amphoras on the coin of Tenedos minted in 550 B.C. Known as Leukophrys in the classical age, Tenedos in Greek mythology and today Bozcaada in Turkish. Should be easy to see that old traditions on this island are viticulture and vineyards.


Oh trés chic narrow streets basicly in three colors, white-blue and green. Houses painted in white and decorated with lovely
flowers and colorful pots. The Turks and the Greeks live together.. So natural, so historical preservation site, so friendly and so dynamic...


Not only are these nice to look at, making for great display pieces in the front of windows... Sparkling shells taste just much better in vintage jars. Just another way to live beautifully, yet simply (and smartly..:)



Look at this floral doorway.. Still green and flowers because it was early September when I was leading this daily excursion..


Stayed in a small house built in the vineyard style.
.


The terraces in front of the rooms with vineyard and sea views.. Even the bottom of balcony was a kind of artistic detail to amaze. I felt happiness as it was my room. The ambiance was enriched with many trees and flowers, I adored...


Got the taste of meals made of fresh eggs and vegetables cultivated in the house owner's garden. Vineyards at the front, pinetrees on the hills right across and the magnicifient sea view only summarized the charming view in front of my eyes..


The Church of Mother Mary. An Orthodox church. Situated in the heart of the Greek neighborhood. The date 1869 posted on its door, its first construction is believed to date back to the Venetian era.


Impressed with its four-storied bell-and watch-tower while it was darkening..


Oh baby baby my! Two sweet green eyes for the beauty in the world. I was followed by this cute darling.. A Bozcaada-born kitty gave me a heart full of love during my tour, more than anything that could give me..


Loved these kind of flowers on the island, wind roses:)


I was so happy to taking place in the step-by-step process of wine-making in the vineyards, tasting wines made from a variety of the island's famous grapes
and.. enjoyed to the fullest as the history of wine in Bozcaada is as old as life on the island.

A living entity, wine.

It is born, grown and developed.

It ages and dies.

Willing to share its experiences and developments.

The more interest you show, the more it strives to present itself to you.

I accompanied wine through this journey.

Because I was willing to grow and develop more and more:)



As said by famous Greek historian Herodot; ''God created Bozcaada for those who visited there, to have a long life.''

I do not know if I'll have a long life but one certain thing is that I realized my desire visiting the most beautiful vineyard in the country -no Ads:), and to breathe my most loved wine culture being in a place really far from the maddening crowd in the City...


12 comments:

  1. What a beautiful place to visit. The street photograph, the balcony pictures, and your descriptions make me wish to visit your island paradise one day also.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, this post was "breathtaking"! I loved the little narrow streets and the flower lined houses and that balcony was lovely! Your descriptions made me feel as if I took a little journey. And I could almost taste the wine! What a lovely post! There was an article in our Minneapolis Star Tribune on Turkey this morning and I will send it along to you with my thanks for the lovely book I won.

    ReplyDelete
  3. A beautiful little piece of heaven right here on Earth. I love the narrow streets, the flowers - I love it all. Mostly, I am so glad that you had a wonderful time.

    ReplyDelete
  4. So many lovely sights. Love the photo of the half-boat on the wall, looks like an awesome place to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I loved this tour of Greece through your eyes! I recently toured Europe but there was no time for Greece but after seeing these photos I must make the time next year! I loved the kitty
    because when I travel I am blessed in meeting one or two along the way!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautful place to visit, Nihal, and the wine must have been so wonderful! Red wine is good for one's health -- scince has proven it makes us live longer and be happier!

    Enjoy your week!

    Hugs, Pat

    ReplyDelete
  7. You must have had a wonderful visit. There is something about "wine country" that is so beautiful no matter which Country it is found in.

    Darla

    ReplyDelete
  8. @ Anna (naturegirl): I think you wanted to say 'You loved this tour of TURKEY' through my eyes:)
    The island of Bozcaada is the 3rd biggest island in 'Turkey' -not Greece. It's the fact, the island has got a multicultural past inc Greeks, too:)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh what a lovely place, and of course I like islands. lol

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a beautiful journey you've taken us on. I feel like you took me by the hand and led me through these streets.

    I love the boat cafe at the beginning. And the sweet kitten.

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a beautiful place and great pictures! I love the white houses with the blue shutters.

    Thanks for the tag, too! I've been a little out-of-pocket the last couple of days, but I'm going to post it soon.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is a great post , love the most of the photos and the cat is adorable with his dirty nose !
    And the seashells in the red window is also one of my favorite
    Love Rini

    ReplyDelete