Match of the week

Shish kebab and Turkish red wine

Posted by Fiona Beckett (Google+) on August 11 2025 at 12:46

Red wine is an obvious pairing for a lamb kebab but a lot of people would instinctively think in terms of a lager.

However if you’re having one in a Turkish restaurant and there’s the opportunity to drink a Turkish wine why wouldn’t you?

The wine I ordered at the newly opened ike Cappadocia’s Table Five in Bristol was Yakut Kavaklidere, a blend of indigenous grape varieties Öküzgözi and Bogazkere which turned out to be an easy drinking medium bodied red which was great with their Kuzu Shish.

I’m not sure I would go out of my way to order it at home but if you’re looking for something unusual (and want to put your smugger wine friends on the spot) you can buy it from indies such as Gusto Wines who are selling it for £11.99.

Ordering by the glass in restaurants is a great way to extend your wine knowledge.

Or for other lamb pairings see Top Wine Pairings for Lamb

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