Madrasa (grape)
{{Short description|Variety of grape}}
{{Infobox grape variety
| name = Madrasa
{{small|Mədrəsə}}
| image =
| caption =
| color = Rose
| color_alt = Pink
| also_called = Matrassa
| origin =
| regions = Mədrəsə village of Shamakhi, Goygol, Samukh, Gabala raions, Ganja, Azerbaijan
| wines = Madrasa
| soil =
| hazards =
| wine_general =
| wine_cool =
| wine_medium =
| wine_hot =
}}
Madrasa ({{langx|az|Mədrəsə}}, also known as Matrassa and Madrasi) is a pink-skinned red grape variety cultivated in the southern Caucasus at least since the nineteenth century,A. Kalantaryan, ed., Wine in Traditional Armenian Culture, Yerevan, 2005, p. 245 {{ISBN|99941-2-000-X}} in particular in Azerbaijan, as well as several Central Asia countries. Most plantings of Madrasa are found near the Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan.J. Robinson Jancis Robinson's Guide to Wine Grapes pg 104 Oxford University Press 1996 {{ISBN|0-19-860098-4}}
Origins and specifics
Madrasa is a sweet grape{{cite web |url=http://www.anl.az/el/alf7/eec&en_mte.pdf |title=MEYVƏ VƏ TƏRƏVƏZİN ƏMTƏƏŞÜNASLIĞI |trans-title=Marketing of fruits and vegetables |page=99 |accessdate=2010-12-28}} indigenous to the village of Madrasa, located in Shamakhi Rayon, Azerbaijan.{{cite news |url=http://azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/83_folder/83_articles/83_agriculture.html |title= Seeds of Change. Transition in Azerbaijan's Agriculture |publisher= Azerbaijan International |author=Arzu Aghayeva |date= Autumn 2000 |accessdate= 2010-12-28}} It is claimed that Madrasa was grown as early as the 15th century.{{cite web |url=http://www.azerb.com/az-shemakha.html |title=Shemakha (Samaxi) |accessdate=2010-12-28}} In the beginning of the 20th century, the Madrasa variety was brought to the Ganjabasar region of Azerbaijan. The vines 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.{{cite web |url=http://uzum.az/index2ru.php?page=atlasru%2Fmedrese |title=АТЛАС: МАТРАСА |trans-title=Atlas:Madrasa |accessdate=2010-12-28 |archive-date=2012-03-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316141515/http://uzum.az/index2ru.php?page=atlasru%2Fmedrese |url-status=dead }}
Wines
During the crushing and fermentation, 50% of the spirit is recovered.{{Clarify|date=January 2025}}{{cite web |url=http://library.adau.edu.az/upload/book/277_12%20Tundlest.doc |title=TÜND VƏ DESERT ŞƏRABLARIN İSTEHSAL TEXNOLOGİYASI |trans-title=Dark and dessert wines production technology |year=2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706130736/http://library.adau.edu.az/upload/book/277_12%20Tundlest.doc |archive-date=2011-07-06 |url-status=dead }} Widely sold "Giz Galasi" (Maiden Tower), "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 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.vinagro.az/eng/product/ |title=Vinagro. Xan Madrasa |accessdate=2010-12-28 |archive-date=2017-06-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609135633/http://www.vinagro.az/eng/product/ |url-status=dead }}
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.