Papazkarası, also Papaskarası and Papaskara (, "priest's black"), is a Turkish grape variety and a Turkish wine grown in the

East Thrace East Thrace or Eastern Thrace, also known as Turkish Thrace or European Turkey, is the part of Turkey that is geographically in Southeast Europe. Turkish Thrace accounts for 3.03% of Turkey's land area and 15% of its population. The largest c ...

region of

Turkey Turkey, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a country mainly located in Anatolia in West Asia, with a relatively small part called East Thrace in Southeast Europe. It borders the Black Sea to the north; Georgia (country), Georgia, Armen ...

. This variety was previously used to make a red wine blend with international grapes like Cinsaut, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. It is far more common now to see it as a varietal red, rose, or blanc de noir wine. The wine has an alcohol ratio between 11 and 13%, and an acidity range of 6 to 8 grams/liter. Papazkarası is also registered in

Greece Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. Located on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, it shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to th ...

as Kara Papas. It is a very old

Thracian The Thracians (; ; ) were an Indo-European speaking people who inhabited large parts of Southeast Europe in ancient history.. "The Thracians were an Indo-European people who occupied the area that today is shared between north-eastern Greece, ...

variety with a wine making history dating back to before the Eastern Roman Empire. Kirklareli Uskup region is known as the best

terroir (; ; from ''terre'', ) is a French language, French term used to describe the environmental factors that affect a crop's phenotype, including unique environment contexts, farming practices and a crop's specific growth habitat. Collectively, th ...

for Papazkarası. Uskup terroir is based on Strandja decomposed granites, which gives very low yields and small bunches of grapes. Many vineyards, especially in upper Thrace close to Edirne, grow in old, head-trained/bush vines. In the fertile lowlands, the bunches can be much heavier, at around 500 grams per bunch. Veraison occurs between mid August and late August at Uskup. Maturity period is very late between mid October and mid November. Total Growing degree-day required is around 1.890 GDD . Papazkarası gives very high acidity to wines. In very ripe years, it can reach to 25 brix levels in the lowland Thracian vineyards of Uzunköprü. Ampelographers believe that Papazkarası is native to the

Balkan peninsula The Balkans ( , ), corresponding partially with the Balkan Peninsula, is a geographical area in southeastern Europe with various geographical and historical definitions. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch throug ...

and was probably the result of a natural cross between Prokupac and Alba imputotato. Prokupac has been growing in

Serbia , image_flag = Flag of Serbia.svg , national_motto = , image_coat = Coat of arms of Serbia.svg , national_anthem = () , image_map = , map_caption = Location of Serbia (gree ...

and Macedonia since at least the 5th century, when it was first mentioned, so the cross between Prokupac and Alba Imputptato would have had to occur sometime after the 5th century. The authors also suggest that Papazkarası is one of the parents of the Kadarka grape.

See also

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Further reading