mark61
23-03-06, 17:38
Gareth Jones
UYURCA - Reuters
When the Özbek family began planting vines, their neighbors told them they were committing a mortal sin and would face divine retribution.
"They said it was wrong, against Islam, to produce wine. They said our soil would dry up and it would no longer rain or snow. But that was more than 10 years ago," said Cengiz Özbek.
"Then they saw how much money we started to make. Now they too are planting vineyards," said the 37-year-old farmer, his weather-beaten face cracking into a smile.
Half of the 40 families living in this tiny village some 100 kilometers (70 miles) northeast of the Turkish capital Ankara now produce grapes for wine, despite the Muslim teaching that alcohol is "haram," or forbidden.
Nearly all Turks are nominally Muslim but the country's secular system keeps religion on a tight rein and has long fostered a tolerant attitude towards alcohol despite the Koran's teaching that it is sinful.
"The old imam here was against the vineyards, but he left and was replaced by a younger, more pragmatic man who says it is a matter for the individual's own conscience," said Özbek.
Nestled beside the Kýzýlýrmak River among the craggy, treeless hills of central Anatolia, Uyurca boasts a mild micro-climate and a soil ideal for grapes.
The village now produces about 500 tons of grapes annually, up from just 12 tons in their first harvest in 1996. It sells its entire production to Kavaklýdere, Turkey's largest and oldest winemaker.
The Özbeks are part of an ancient tradition of wine production in Anatolia stretching back more than 4,000 years.
Under Muslim-run Ottoman rule, Christian Greeks and Armenians dominated the wine industry. When the empire collapsed after World War I, many left Turkey, taking their expertise and knowledge with them.
(...)
After the government issued guidelines, AKP-led councils began to ban alcohol from the restaurants and cafes they run.
The AKP denies any plan to outlaw alcohol and says it only wants better regulation of the trade. But the guidelines sparked a rash of negative headlines in Europe's press, and some fear this could hurt tourism this year.
Back in Uyurca, the Özbeks are sanguine.
"We have no problems, we are planning to expand the acreage sowed with vines," said Cengiz Özbek.
"Besides, wine is good for our health," added his uncle Halil Ibrahim, a sprightly 65-year-old. :lachu:
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=38848
UYURCA - Reuters
When the Özbek family began planting vines, their neighbors told them they were committing a mortal sin and would face divine retribution.
"They said it was wrong, against Islam, to produce wine. They said our soil would dry up and it would no longer rain or snow. But that was more than 10 years ago," said Cengiz Özbek.
"Then they saw how much money we started to make. Now they too are planting vineyards," said the 37-year-old farmer, his weather-beaten face cracking into a smile.
Half of the 40 families living in this tiny village some 100 kilometers (70 miles) northeast of the Turkish capital Ankara now produce grapes for wine, despite the Muslim teaching that alcohol is "haram," or forbidden.
Nearly all Turks are nominally Muslim but the country's secular system keeps religion on a tight rein and has long fostered a tolerant attitude towards alcohol despite the Koran's teaching that it is sinful.
"The old imam here was against the vineyards, but he left and was replaced by a younger, more pragmatic man who says it is a matter for the individual's own conscience," said Özbek.
Nestled beside the Kýzýlýrmak River among the craggy, treeless hills of central Anatolia, Uyurca boasts a mild micro-climate and a soil ideal for grapes.
The village now produces about 500 tons of grapes annually, up from just 12 tons in their first harvest in 1996. It sells its entire production to Kavaklýdere, Turkey's largest and oldest winemaker.
The Özbeks are part of an ancient tradition of wine production in Anatolia stretching back more than 4,000 years.
Under Muslim-run Ottoman rule, Christian Greeks and Armenians dominated the wine industry. When the empire collapsed after World War I, many left Turkey, taking their expertise and knowledge with them.
(...)
After the government issued guidelines, AKP-led councils began to ban alcohol from the restaurants and cafes they run.
The AKP denies any plan to outlaw alcohol and says it only wants better regulation of the trade. But the guidelines sparked a rash of negative headlines in Europe's press, and some fear this could hurt tourism this year.
Back in Uyurca, the Özbeks are sanguine.
"We have no problems, we are planning to expand the acreage sowed with vines," said Cengiz Özbek.
"Besides, wine is good for our health," added his uncle Halil Ibrahim, a sprightly 65-year-old. :lachu:
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=38848