W3 Wine School

Emir (turkey)

Emir is one of Turkey’s most important historical white wines.

Emir Flavors

The best Emir wines are famous for crisp apple and minerals on the nose.

On the palate it carries flavors of lemon, apples, pineapple or kiwi, white roses, and salty (wet stone) minerals.

Lemon
Lemon
Grapefruit
Grapefruit
Apple
Apple
Kiwi
Kiwi
Jasmine
Flowers
Honeysuckle
Honesuckle
Herbs
Herbs
Minerals
Minerals

Emir Profile

Emir is dry, fresh, citrusy and mineral-driven, with high acidity:

SUGAR:Dry (3 g/l)
BODY:Light
FRUIT:Medium - High
ACIDITY:High
ACOHOL:11.5-13.5%
Temperature Serving temperature:
8-10°C (46-50°F)

Best enjoyed within 1–3 years.

Emir Food Pairing

Emir's delicious acidity makes it excellent with both Green Salads and Seafood.

It also pairs well with flavorful, rich, salty, oily, and spicy food.

Aperitif
Aperitif
Vegetables
Salad
Vegetables
Vegetables
Olive Oil
Olive Oil
Crab
Seafood
Oysters
Oysters
Mussels
Mussels
Shrimps
Scrimps
Fish
Fish
Pasta
Pasta
Pizza
Pizza
Pasta
Sushi

Excellent Pairings

Turkish Cuisine.
Mediterranean. Thai. Indian. Mexican.
Grilled Vegetables and Green Salad.
Vinegar or Citrus Dressing.
Seafood. Grilled White Fish.
Shrimps. Prawns. Mussels. Oysters.
Squid. Fish Soup. Fish Pie.
Paella. Tomato-based Pasta and Pizza.
Salmon. Gravlax. Sushi. Sashimi. Ceviche.
Turkish Mezes (Hummus, Cacık).
Sharp Ingredients. Anchovies. Capers. Olives.


The Ideal Glass for Emir

A Tulip Shaped Glass with a slightly smaller bowl can be suitable for various dry white wine styles.

It guides the wine to the center of your mouth, avoiding the sides where acidity is less pleasant.

A smaller bowl also helps to serve smaller quantities, and keep the wine cold. It also helps if you hold the glass by the stem!

Emir Cheese Pairing

Pairing Tips

Add accompaniments like fresh fruits (grapes, apples, pears), nuts (almonds, walnuts), or a light drizzle of honey to enhance the pairing. Opt for cheeses with moderate saltiness and creaminess to balance the wine's acidity.

Fresh and Mild Cheeses

Mozzarella: Its delicate flavor pairs well with the Emir's lightness.

Ricotta: Especially good if served with a drizzle of honey or fresh fruits.

Goat Cheese (Chèvre): The tanginess complements the subtle fruit notes in Emir.

Semi-Soft Cheeses

Brie: The creamy texture and mild flavor work beautifully with Emir.

Camembert: Similar to Brie but with slightly more earthiness.

Fontina: Its nutty, buttery qualities make a good match.

Hard Cheeses

Manchego: A classic Spanish pairing, especially younger Manchego, which is less intense.

Gruyère: Mildly nutty and sweet, enhancing the wine's subtlety.

Asiago: Lightly aged Asiago adds a complementary tang.

Blue Cheeses (for contrast)

Gorgonzola Dolce: Its mild creaminess contrasts nicely without overpowering the wine.

If You Like Emir

You May Also Like:

Albariño (Spain)
Alvarinho (Portugal)
Assyrtiko (Greece)
Gavi (Italy)
Grechetto (Italy)
Greco di Tufo (Italy)
Moschofilero (Greece)
Pinot Bianco (Italy)
Sylvaner (France)
Riesling Dry (Germany)
Trebbiano (Italy)
Ugni Blanc (France)
Weissburgunder (Germany)

The Emir Grape

Emir is one of Turkey’s most distinctive indigenous white wine grapes, known for its crisp acidity, light body, and mineral character. The name "Emir" means "lord" or "ruler" in Turkish, reflecting its long-standing importance in Turkish winemaking.

Emir is almost exclusively grown in Cappadocia, a region in central Anatolia famous for its volcanic soils, high-altitude vineyards, and unique terroir. The region’s continental climate features hot days and cool nights, which help the grapes retain their fresh acidity and bright flavors.

Cappadocia's volcanic, tuff-rich soils contribute to Emir's signature minerality, making it a distinctive and terroir-driven wine.

Emir is typically light-bodied, with high acidity and delicate fruit flavors, making it a refreshing and easy-drinking wine.

Emir is almost always vinified in stainless steel to preserve its fresh, crisp character. Unlike Narince, it is rarely oak-aged, as its delicate flavors are best expressed in a pure, unoaked style.

It is sometimes found in blends, but the best Emir wines are single varietal.

Some producers use Emir to make traditional method sparkling wines, taking advantage of its bright acidity and fine bubbles.

Emir is one of Turkey’s most elegant and mineral-driven white grapes, comparable to Albariño or Chablis. It is a refreshing, terroir-driven wine, perfect for those who enjoy crisp, dry whites with pure fruit and bright acidity.


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