LECTURES ON HISTORY AND CULTURE OF WINE AND FOOD
The lectures that are are accompanied by a slide show are given by a researcher on history of wine in English, French, Italian or Japanese languages. The event does not include wine tasting. Suggested seminer themes are as follows:
Lectures are organized in following themes:
*PREHISTORY OF WINE AND VITICULTURE, HITTITES, A WINE EMPIRE AND CULTURE OF WINE IN ANATOLIA IN PHYRIGIAN AND URARTEAN TIMES
This is a lecture on the 10,000 year old viticulture and more than 4,000 year old wine making history of Turkey. Oldest grape seeds found on Euphrates basin in Northern Mesopotamia, Hatti culture of Central Anatolia, then Hittites who established the first regulations about wine in the history, the first wine denomination system , their rituals, libations and the place of wine in Hittite society are told in this seminar. The importance of Phrygians, who are successors of Hittites with the remains of food and wine discovered in the tumulus of Midas in Gordion, Central Anatolia is also mentioned. Urarteans, amazing civilization of Anatolian high land who were capable of practising viticulture at 2000 m above sea level almost 3000 years ago is also explained.
*WINE CULTURE IN ANATOLIA FROM HOMER TO CLASSICAL TIMES, AND ROMAN EMPIRE PERIOD
A lecture that starts from the time of Trojan War more than 3000 years ago tells how the grapes were taken from Troy to Europe, a migration by which viticulture was introduced to European continent. 6th century BC witnessed the introduction of viticulture by Phoceans from Western Anatolia to Southern France. Several cities on Aegean coast became popular both by producing wines and making amphorae. Anatolian wines then were appreciated by Persian kings as well as Alexander the Great. Sites dedicated to Dionysos , god of wine in Anatolia are also explained in this seminar.
*WINE CULTURE OF ANATOLIA AND THRACE FROM BYZANTINE AND OTTOMAN TIMES TO REPUBLIC
This lecture is on the wine culture of the two most important empires of ancient Turkey in terms of the duration of their rule and influence. First, viticulture, wine styles, wine trade and consumption of wine in Byzantine times is explained in the light of foreign traveller’s records and underwater digs conducted by archaeologists in different seas around Turkey. Then the towns that sent wine to the capital, Constantinople both in Byzantine and Ottoman times are mentioned. Finally the great wine revolution of Turkish republic in the first two decades is explained
HISTORY AND CULTURE OF WINE IN CAPPADOCIA
Lecture is given on the history of wine in a region where the uninterrupted production of wine is among the oldest in the world since about 2000 BC. Hattis were the first to produce wine in the area. Wines of rock-carved Byzantine monasteries, grape and wine images in rock churches of Cappadocia. Karum of Kanesh near Kayseri appears as another center where wine artifacts are found in the excavations. The lecturer is also writer of the book ‘Cappadocian Wines’
HISTORY OF ITALIAN WINE
Italy’s geographical shape and location has made that country a true breathtaking spot for the sailors of ancient times that carried goods in Mediterranean Sea from East to West. This is how Phoenicians, Trojans, Etruscans and Greeks introduced viticulture to Italy by bringing the first vines and grapes. This is a seminar on 3000 year old history of viticulture and wine making in Italian peninsula and Sicily with a special emphasis on great wines and Grand Crus of Roman Empire period, wine in Italy in middle ages and during Renaissance.
WINES OF ITALY
Italy is an exciting wine country with its more than 300 grape varieties used for producing wine. It is also the only country in the world in which all the geographical regions practice viticulture and produce wine. In this seminar the most important ones among 20 wine regions are examined, different wine types, styles and grape varieties of Italy from north to south . The lecturer is a professional sommelier of Italian Sommeliers Association.
OTHER SUGGESTED LECTURE TOPICS
WINE AND RELIGIONS: The journey of wine from pagan religions, god dedicated to it Dionysos and the perception of wine in monotheist religions.
ANCIENT WINE CITIES OF ASIA MINOR: A tour through Anatolia following the traces of ancient cities that produced or traded wine in past, through the eyes of a professional tourist guide who is also a sommelier.
HISTORY OF TURKISH CUISINE: History of Turkish Cuisine with its Central Asian, Mediterranean and Anatolian components and its development through ages.
HISTORY OF BYZANTINE CUISINE: Interesting culinary culture of Eastern Roman Empire influenced by Roman imperial cuisine and its evolution through 1000 years.
HITTITE CULINARY CULTURE: The amazing culinary culture of a Central Anatolian Empire, The Hittites. The oldest cuisine of Turks that isbased on mainly bread and meat.
HISTORY OF TURKISH COFFEE: Among all Turkish specialties one summarizes Turkish culture best: Turkish coffee. The first coffe houses that were opened in Istanbul and the expansion of this drink to European continent.
GRAPES, WINES AND WINE REGIONS OF TURKEY: A tour through Turkey with autochtonous grape varieties, wine regions, soil types, wine geography of Turkey.
FROM VINE TO WINE: ABC of wine, A complete wine course from how to make wine to different styles, wine categories, corks, oak barrels, everything about wine.
Lectures are given in Turkish, English, French, Italian and Japanese by Murat Yankı who is a wine expert and researcher of wine history who bears following certificates:
AIS (Italian Sommeliers Association) Golden Diploma WSET Intermediate and Advanced Certificate (merit level) Plumpton College Certificate of Viticulture NKU Naksem Certificate of Viticulture