Indigenous variety · White grape · Southeast Anatolia
Kerküş
About this grape
Kerküş, also known locally as Karkuş, is an indigenous grape of the Mardin–Midyat area in Southeastern Anatolia. It is part of the region's Syriac (Assyrian) winemaking heritage and is often harvested from old, unusually tall head-trained bush vines.
It has historically been used in the Shiluh winery's Mazrona–Kerküş white blend; more recently Midin Şarapçılık became the first producer to bottle it as a 100% single varietal.
- Profile
- Amber-toned, mildly tannic white; high sugar, textured
- Best experienced in
- Mardin–Midyat, Southeastern Anatolia
- Pairs with
- Cheese-filled börek, lamb kebabs, meze
Growing conditions
Although classed among white varieties, its skins are heavily pigmented; single-varietal wines can be amber-colored with noticeable texture. It ripens in the second-to-third week of September, about a month before Mazrona, and gives high sugar, some tannin, and structure.
Where it's grown
Producers growing this grape
Southeast Anatolia · Midyat (Mardin)
Midyat Shiluh Süryani Şarapçılık
Shiluh — meaning "peace" in Syriac — was founded in 2009 in Midyat (Mardin) to bring Upper Mesopotamia's century-old grape varieties together with modern winemaking. The first vintage was bottled in 2010.
Grape varieties: Kerkuş, Mazrona, Öküzgözü, Boğazkere
Frequently asked questions
- Is Kerküş a white or red grape?
It is classed as a white variety, but its heavily pigmented skins give amber-colored, mildly tannic wines — closer to an orange/amber style than a pale white.
- Where does Kerküş come from?
The Mardin–Midyat area of Southeastern Anatolia, part of the region's Syriac Christian wine tradition.
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