THE THRACE REGION WINE ROUTE IN TURKEY EXTENDED ABSTRACT Assist. Prof. Dr. Alev Dündar Arikana Prof. Dr. Irfan Arikanb aAnadolu University, Faculty of Tourism, Yunus Emre Kampusü, Eskişehir, Turkey [email protected] +90 222 3350580 b IMC FH Krems, University of Applied Sciences, IMC FH Krems, Krems, Austria [email protected] +43 2732 802373 Corresponding Author Prof. Dr. Irfan Arikan IMC FH Krems, University of Applied Sciences, IMC FH Krems, Krems, Austria [email protected] +43 2732 802373 THE THRACE REGION WINE ROUTE IN TURKEY EXTENDED ABSTRACT 1. Objective commercial role in the region, dating back Wine tourism is expanding around the 6.000 years world, with the number of new wine regions (http://www.discoverturkishwines.com). and vineries increased rapidly in the past Over the past few decades, Turkey has been decade (Khan, 2016). Wine tourism has resurrecting its very ancient wine traditions, been defined as `visitation to vineyards, producing high quality wine made from wineries, wine festivals and wine shows for native grape varieties like Kalecik Karası, which grape wine tasting and/or Öküzgözü, Sultaniye, Çalkarası, experiencing the attributes of a grape wine Papazkarası, Emir, Anatolien Narince and region are the prime motivating factors for Boğazkere, growing across the visitors' (Hall et al., 2000). Wine tourism geographically sprad wine regions. offers a way to support rural areas, sustain cultural heritage and improve the economy. Traditionally, Turkey is specialized in Rural tourism presents itself as an producing table grapes and raisins, with alternative or as complement to the approximately a third of grape production traditional activities of farmers within the used for table grapes while the other third is agrarian family unit. Employment can be used for drying purposes whereas the generated in accommodation, food, local remaining third is dedicated to making craft, other service, manufacturing, and wine, treacle, pulp, fruit sausage and more construction sectors, encouraging (http://www.discoverturkishwines.com). population in rural areas. Moreover, rural Turkey offers a potential of growing around tourism usually asures a good life quality 1.250 grape varieties and ranks sixth in level through the presence of some services grape production in the world and the maintenance of local culture and (http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/top- traditions. Rural tourism makes also easier the development of cooperation among grape-growing-countries.htm); on 600.000 local stakeholders as it encourages the hectar vineyards 250.000 hectoliter wine community involvement. Rural tourism are produced per year (Piroue, 2004). improves local resources, especially as Wine tourism in Turkey is a relatively new regard wine and food, promotes local field of study so that little research has been territory by using local identity. This type of conducted in the country. The Thracian tourism activity can enhance local features Wine Route starts near the former Ottoman counteracting the loss of local diversity due Capital of Edirne, 240 km north-west of to mass tourism. Rural tourists are attracted Istanbul, and meanders through four lush by the identity/diversity of a rural area regions-Kırklareli, Tekirdag, Sarköy and (Marangon and Troiano, 2012). Gelibolu for approximately 400 km, ending Historically Turkey has been a place where in the town of Eceabat on the shore of the wine growing and wine consumption was Dardanelles. The route passes through part of its social and cultural life. From wine dense forest, past ancient ruins and containers shaped in grape bunches to alongside three major waterways-the Sea of historical coins with grape figures used in Marmara, the Gulf of Saros and the Western Anatolia, archeological Dardanelles Strait-providing plenty of excavations and research show that grapes scenery to admire and historic sights to visit and wine have played a key social and (Wine Trails, 2016). The aim of this paper is first to present a specific wine route amphorae sweet, undiluted wine, divine created in Thrace region and secondly, to drink... when they wanted to drink from that investigate the vineyards of the region in red wine, sweet as honey, he filled a glass relation to tourism. As research of it, mixing it with twenty times as much methodology a literature review and the water and a pleasant fragrance of divine sources of secondary data were used. odour sprad from the wine vessel. It was very difficult to refrain from it... This 2. Theoretical Framework statement of the dilution of the wine may The Thrace of Turkey refers to the have been exaggerated. In ancient Greece European side of the country and is shared and Rome they usually added three times as by Turkey, Greece and Bulgaria. The region much water as wine. as home to one of the oldest producers of wine in the world, is known as the About 150 varieties of grapes were known birthplace of Dionysus, the Thracian God during the ancient times. Pliny listed 91 of associated with wine. Homer described these wine sorts – yet he believed that their number exceeded 400. The Roman Ancient Thrace as the land, which would make great wine. Information on well agronomist Kolumela explained this developed viticulture and wine-making are diversity by the fact that the same variety of found also in the works of other ancient vines grown under different conditions authors such as Plato, Xenophon, Ateneus, resulted in different quality of grapes Polien, etc. It is not a coincidence that the achieved. In and case the wine-lovers of cult towards Dionysus (Zagreus) was these times knew very well the various widespread in Ancient Thrace and this was individual species of grapes and their ability attested by numerous archaeological to thrive under different conditions – under monuments. The wine accompanied the varied climate, soils, etc. It was a normal ancient Thracians throughout their whole practice to refine a trellis vine by grafting life-time cycle. The Thracians celebrated from another quality vine. Frequently the the birth of infants with wine and again with Thracians left the vines to grow wrapped wine buried the deceased into nothingness. around trees specially planted for that The wine served as food for the pauper, it purpose, thus forming vine garlands hung was pleasure for the rich and medical cure between the trees. for everybody. Even the slaves were never The Vintage season for the Thracians was a deprived of it. Being an indispensable part holiday associated with many rituals of all pagan rituals as well as of the dedicated to the God Dionysus (Zagreus). Christian worship rites, the wine is the only This is one of the most exploited themes in drink, having its God in the Ancient times ancient art. Images associated with the and its Saint in the Christian era. Wine was harvesting of grapes and of wine making are honored alongside and equal to bread. It found on pottery, murals and mosaics in was with bread and wine that the Savior bid residential and public buildings, even in farewell to his disciples and took the road to some tombs. Calvary. “All Thracians are drunkards” - Ateney In ancient times the Thracian biblin-type of wrote. Surely his words should not be taken sweet wine was very famous. Later on the literally, but in fact there are many ancient wine from which it was produced got authors who speak about the incredible transferred to Italy and Syracuse. "So thus drinking capabilities of the Thracians. the sweet wine called by the Sicily people Moreover, it should be taken into polis-type of wine would have been the consideration that in ancient Greece and same biblin-type of wine" - wrote Ateney. Rome wine consumption was daily routine Further Homer described how the Thracian and common for everybody. Obviously the priest Maro gave Odysseus... twelve Thracians drank a lot more to impress them (http://www.haskovo- Arcadia, Camlija, Şato Nuzun, Barel, bulgaria.com/en/Wine_c37. html). Umurbey, Barbare, Melen, Gülor, Chateau The region was also the source of wine for Kalpak, Gali and Suvla, established in 4 the Byzantine Empire. What makes wines different regions of Thrace; which are of Turkish Thrace interesting is its ancient Tekirdag, Sarköy, Kirklareli and Gelibolu history of viticulture and a number of myths (Gallipoli) (https://vimeo.com/91316242). surrounding the region. Turkey offers the The project was also supported by Thrace greatest diversity in terms of geography and Development Agency and Tourism history. Although very small Directorate of the region geographically, it bears a vast range of (https://sarapatolyesi.net). climates: Black Sea climate in the north, 3. Wineries on the Thrace Region continental climate at the center, and Wine Route Aegean climate in the south, creating an Wine tourism is used not only as a incredible advantage for viticulture, making it possible to cultivate a variety of vine significant marketing and branding tool and grapes in such a tiny region. There’s no an additional income source in wine regions international grape variety which is not (Beverland, 2006), but it also reinforces the grown in this region, in addition to hundreds individual identity of regions and wineries of indigenous grape varieties by presenting and preserving the unique (https://www.winerist.com/blog). authentic social, cultural, historical and Tourists on the food and wine trail are geographical characteristics of wine- people who enjoy food and wine and are producing regions (Morgan and Tresidder, interested in finding out more about 2016). Wine routes have become important production methods. They are open to new tourism products worldwide, as well as experiences and see food as a delightful way to discover new and different cultures and acting as a tourism promotional tool. In identities. They are willing to spend time, at general, a wine route consists of one or some point during their holiday, on more designated itineraries through the educational activities as such farm visits, wine region.