Madrasa (, also known as Matrassa and Madrasi) is a pink-skinned red

grape variety This list of grape varieties includes cultivated grapes, whether used for wine, or eating as a table grape, fresh or dried (raisin, Zante currant, currant, sultana (grape), sultana). For a complete list of all grape species, including those unimp ...

cultivated in the southern Caucasus at least since the nineteenth century, in particular in

Azerbaijan Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a Boundaries between the continents, transcontinental and landlocked country at the boundary of West Asia and Eastern Europe. It is a part of the South Caucasus region and is bounded by ...

, as well as several

Central Asia Central Asia is a region of Asia consisting of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The countries as a group are also colloquially referred to as the "-stans" as all have names ending with the Persian language, Pers ...

countries. Most plantings of Madrasa are found near the

Caspian Sea The Caspian Sea is the world's largest inland body of water, described as the List of lakes by area, world's largest lake and usually referred to as a full-fledged sea. An endorheic basin, it lies between Europe and Asia: east of the Caucasus, ...

.J. Robinson ''Jancis Robinson's Guide to Wine Grapes'' pg 104 Oxford University Press 1996

Origins and specifics

Madrasa is a sweet grape indigenous to the village of

Madrasa Madrasa (, also , ; Arabic: مدرسة , ), sometimes Romanization of Arabic, romanized as madrasah or madrassa, is the Arabic word for any Educational institution, type of educational institution, secular or religious (of any religion), whet ...

, located in Shamakhi Rayon, Azerbaijan. It is claimed that Madrasa was grown as early as the 15th century. In the beginning of the 20th century, the Madrasa variety was brought to the Ganjabasar region of Azerbaijan. The

vine A vine is any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent (that is, climbing) stems, lianas, or runners. The word ''vine'' can also refer to such stems or runners themselves, for instance, when used in wicker work.Jackson; Benjamin; Da ...

s are midsize, and have strong roots and sharp leaves. The grapes are round and thick-skinned. Madrasa grapes mature in the beginning of September in Shamakhi, and in August in Ganja. The concentration of sugar ranges from 23 to 24% in Shamakhi, and 20 to 21% in Ganja.

Wines

During the crushing and fermentation, 50% of the spirit is recovered. Widely sold "Giz Galasi" ('' Maiden Tower''), "Yeddi Gozal" (''

Seven Beauties ''Seven Beauties'' (, "Pasqualino Sevenbeauties") is a 1975 historical black comedy drama Italian film written and directed by Lina Wertmüller and starring Giancarlo Giannini, Fernando Rey, and Shirley Stoler. Written by Wertmüller, the film ...

''), "Gara Gila" and "Naznazi" wines are made from Madrasa. "Xan Madrasa" red table wine produced by Vinagro is made by fermentation of Madrasa grape juice. The grapes are grown in Goygol and Samukh districts of Azerbaijan, and crushed for juice. The wine is then stored for two years. Its alcoholic content ranges from 9 to 14%. Xan Madrasa was awarded 2 gold and 1 bronze medals at the International Wine Contest of Monde Selection.

Names

Various names have been used for Matrassa and its wines, including Chirai, Chirai kara, Kara Chirei, Kara Chirai, Kara Schirai, Kara Scirai, Kara Scirei, Kara Shirai, Kara Shirei, Sevi shirai, Shirai, Shirai kara, Shirei, Shirei kara and Sirei, in addition to Madrasa, Matrasa, and Matrasse.

References

{{Wines Red wine grape varieties

Origins and specifics

Wines

Names

See also

References