Turkish wine history stretches back thousands of years, and few cultures embody that legacy more than the Assyrians. Once rulers of one of the ancient world's greatest empires, they cultivated vineyards across Mesopotamia and built a culture in which wine played a central role. Today, despite centuries of upheaval, Assyrian communities and wineries in southeastern Turkey continue traditions that connect the present to the distant past.

This month we offer a trio of unusual wines, epitomizing the adventurous, untamed environment in which Turkish winemakers thrive.