Madrasa (grape)
Encyclopedia
Madrasa is a pink-skinned red grape variety cultivated in the southern Caucasus at least since the nineteenth century , in particular in Azerbaijan
and Armenia
, as well as several Central Asia
countries. Most plantings of Madrasa are found near the Caspian Sea
in Azerbaijan
and Armenia
.
region of Azerbaijan. The vine
s are of mid size and have strong roots. Their leaves are sharp. The grapes are of round shape and thick skin. Madrasa variety matures in the beginning of September in Shamakhi
and in August in Ganja. The concentration of sugar ranges from 23-24% in Shamakhi and 20-21% in Ganja.
), "Yeddi Gozal" (Seven Beauties
), "Gara Gila" and "Naznazi" wines are made from Madrasa. "Xan Madrasa" red table wine produced by Vinagro
is made by fermentation of Madrasa variety vine juice, which are grown in Goygol and Samukh districts of Azerbaijan by squashing juice technology. Wine is then stored two years. Its alcoholic content is 9-14%. Xan Madrasa was awarded 2 gold and 1 bronze medals at international wine contests.
Azerbaijani wine
Azerbaijani wine is produced in several regions throughout Azerbaijan. Prior to 20th century communist rule, Azerbaijan had a thriving wine industry that dated back to the second millennium BC...
and Armenia
Armenian wine
Armenian wine is wine made in the Republic of Armenia, in the region of South Caucasus. Armenia is one of the oldest wine producing region of the world.-History:...
, as well as several Central Asia
Central Asia
Central Asia is a core region of the Asian continent from the Caspian Sea in the west, China in the east, Afghanistan in the south, and Russia in the north...
countries. Most plantings of Madrasa are found near the Caspian Sea
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...
in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
and Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
.
Origins and specifics
Madrasa is indigenous to the village of Madrasa of Shamakhi Rayon of Azerbaijan. This variety falls into sweet grape category. It is claimed that Madrasa was grown as early as 15th century. In the beginning of the 20th century, Madrasa variety was brought to GanjabasarGanja, Azerbaijan
Ganja is Azerbaijan's second-largest city with a population of around 313,300. It was named Yelizavetpol in the Russian Empire period. The city regained its original name—Ganja—from 1920–1935 during the first part of its incorporation into the Soviet Union. However, its name was changed again and...
region of Azerbaijan. The vine
Vine
A vine in the narrowest sense is the grapevine , but more generally it can refer to any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent, that is to say climbing, stems or runners...
s are of mid size and have strong roots. Their leaves are sharp. The grapes are of round shape and thick skin. Madrasa variety matures in the beginning of September in Shamakhi
Shamakhi
Shamakhi or Shamakhy is a rayon of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and a town in the rayon. It is the historical center of the region of Shirvan.The town is west of Baku. It has more than 20,000 inhabitants, among them Azerbaijanis and Russians...
and in August in Ganja. The concentration of sugar ranges from 23-24% in Shamakhi and 20-21% in Ganja.
Wines
During the crushing and fermentation, 50% of the spirit gets recovered. Widely sold "Giz Galasi" (Maiden TowerMaiden Tower (Baku)
The Maiden Tower or also known locally as Giz Galasi located in the Old City, Baku in Azerbaijan is an ancient tower with cultural affinity corroborating the presence Zoroastrians, Sassanians, Arabs, Persians, Shirvanis, Ottomans, and Russians...
), "Yeddi Gozal" (Seven Beauties
Seven Beauties (ballet)
Seven Beauties is a ballet, composed by Gara Garayev in 1947/48 to mark the 800th anniversary of classical poet Nizami Ganjavi. The ballet lasted in the repertoire of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater for many years, but was taken off the stage later on. A new version was...
), "Gara Gila" and "Naznazi" wines are made from Madrasa. "Xan Madrasa" red table wine produced by Vinagro
Vinagro
Vinagro Limited Liability Company in an alcoholic beverage producer established in March 2006. The company owns 537 ha of vineyards of various of sorts of local and European grapes...
is made by fermentation of Madrasa variety vine juice, which are grown in Goygol and Samukh districts of Azerbaijan by squashing juice technology. Wine is then stored two years. Its alcoholic content is 9-14%. Xan Madrasa was awarded 2 gold and 1 bronze medals at international wine contests.