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Turkey is one of the oldest permanently settled areas in the world. The strategic location bridges Europe to Asia and the Mideast. The country is rich in history and culture. Did you know it’s been a wine-producing region for over 7,000 years? Fortunately, Mediterranean Breeze owner Mehmet Sipahioglu brings spectacular Turkish wines to his Olympia restaurant. These treasures have been a virtual secret from American wine drinkers.

mediterranean breeze
Owner/Chef Mehmet Sipahioglu offers a selection of Turkish wines that are not typically found in the United States.

Our wine palates have been expanding recently. We knew there were wonderful wines from France. Then California wines became popular, and Washington State stepped into the picture. The world became a little smaller when we toasted with a glass of Malbec from Argentina or a sparkling cava from Spain. With the help of Turkish wine importer VinoRai, we can now taste what the other side of the world has been drinking for centuries.

How do you know what wine to choose? Restaurant and Bar Manager Chris Waggoner and his educated team are on hand to bridge the gap from wines you currently enjoy to a Turkish variety. By inquiring about your personal preferences and your menu choices, Waggoner can make suggestions from Mediterranean Breeze’s selective Turkish collection. Whether you like whites or reds, light or full bodied wines, they are dedicated to creating a magnificent pairing with your authentic Turkish meal. You will appreciate Waggoner’s attention to details. “We deliver an experience,” he emphasizes. He strives for customers to be 100% satisfied.

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Chris Waggoner loves to share his passion for food and wine. He’s ready to find the right match for you.

Turkish wines may pose challenges in pronunciation, but don’t let that get in your way. The Turasan winery is a long held family business in the Cappadocia wine region. Volcanic soil, high altitudes, hot days and cool nights create fresh and elegant wines with names like BOĞAZKERE/ÖKÜZGÖZÜ. (Bow-aahz-keh-reh) /(Oh-cooz-goe-zue). Kalecik Karasi is another wine, but I’ll leave all the explaining to your server. You can embrace your education to the degree you desire. Enthusiastic about learning Turkish wines, Waggoner explained, “I love everything – food, wine, spirits, and all the possibilities.”

Mediterranean Breeze offers a unique opportunity to show and display Turkish wines. They are right at home with the hospitality and unique menu options. “I like to make authentic recipes,” said Mehmet who wants diners to experience a true taste of his homeland. Sipahioglu grew up in Giresun, Turkey and worked in all the family businesses. Original recipes come from his uncle who had a restaurant and also from his mother. He shops for quality ingredients including grass fed meat, fresh seafood and organic produce. “We have to care about how we feed ourselves,” he added.

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Find your pleasures with authentic Turkish meatballs (kofte), lamb shish, grilled vegetables and bread from the wood oven and Mehmet’s trio of sauces – yogurt, rosemary aioli and Iskender tomato sauce.

Sipahioglu even does his own butchering. “You have to butcher your own,” stated Mehmet, as if it were common practice for restaurants to do this. It’s not. He continued, “Turkish people are really food-oriented.” That means well prepared food that is enjoyed with family and friends. You are in for a treat with his from-scratch recipes – all the more reasons to find a matching wine.

Waggoner and VinoRai’s manager Matt Mabus appreciate Turkish wines. To them, every bottle is like a heartbeat and has a life of its own. Wine flavors are complex and amazing and meant to be savored in the moment.

Sipahioglu is excited for the future. Turkish wines are becoming more available and there are many choices for you to drink with your meal. The Olympia restaurant is hopeful that before too long it will be able to sell bottles for people to drink at home. Did you know that Turkish wines go exceedingly well with turkey? Waggoner is designing flights of wine. A flight is a selection of three (or more) smaller-sized glasses of wines served together and meant for sampling. He is also organizing small, personal tasting parties with five wines and matching foods.

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Turasan wines vary from white to red. Ask for advice when picking one to accompany your meal at Mediterranean Breeze.

I travel extensively and it’s always wonderful to be home. With no airline ticket required, I can take a quick trip to Turkey by dining at Olympia’s Mediterranean Breeze and let Mehmet do the cooking. It will be like having dinner at his house (if he were in Turkey). I’ll let them suggest a wine or two, and all I have to do is sit back, close my eyes and inhale the heady aromas. You can do this, too. Bring friends. You might want to linger over that Turasan.

Mediterranean Breeze
2302 Harrison Ave NW in Olympia
360-915-7343
See the full Mediterranean Breeze menu here.

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